STEM the Tide: Turn Your Internship into an Apprenticeship

Intern or apprentice, what’s the difference? According to Webster’s dictionary definition (below), not much. However, there is a difference in practice.

ap·pren·tice

NOUN

1. a person who is learning a trade from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period at low wages

synonyms: trainee · learner · probationer · tyro · novice · mentee · neophyte · raw recruit · fledgling · new boy/girl · novitiate · pupil · student · beginner · starter

in·tern

NOUN

1. a student or trainee who works, sometimes without pay, at a trade or occupation in order to gain work experience.

synonyms: trainee · apprentice · probationer · student · novice · learner · beginner · person doing work experience

Apprenticeships have historically been rooted in the trades, which have a long history of using apprenticeships as the predominant method to teach their craft and forge a skilled and independent worker. Typically, an apprentice works directly with an experienced specialist from whom they learn the unique practices of the trade. A study found that roughly 50% of construction-related training is active apprenticeships.

As the educational system evolved, this form of one-on-one, hands-on practice evolved into the internships we see today. Internships are meant to supply provisional experience to supplement the pedagogical study prior to entering the workforce and provide entry-level experience. While, in theory, the internship was an evolution, in practice, internships have not proven to guide STEM students in the real-world environment outside the classroom or lab.

For many reasons, "internships" have simply become a buzzword for giving a college student a summer job. Some companies provide an excellent environment for skill development, but for some others, it may be virtue signaling in the interest of the company rather than the intern. Some interns are fortunate to land an internship from which they learn a lot and benefit greatly from the experience, but some do not. Consider, too, that applicants have different motivations as well. For some interns, it is simply a job and not the opportunity to learn.

To date, good internships have been hard to find and while there are some good programs and good companies, the average student, the less connected student, or the financially challenged student does not have access to such opportunities. J4I would like to revise the approach and make the internship more like an apprenticeship.

What if we considered internships as apprenticeships? Could a change in words, redefine our expectations?

In the case of STEM, most learn theories in a school setting. We want to match companies who are willing to create a real job where an intern can work side by side with a “master” of their trade, give the student “hands-on” knowledge, task students to solve real problems and immerse the student in everyday work situations. The goal is to supplement classroom instruction by reinforcing those lessons with practical experience.

If STEM internships are treated like an apprenticeship it can boost students’ confidence while building competence. Recent studies show that experiential learning models, such as apprenticeship, can help:

Learn faster and remember more. Hands-on practice strengthens brain functions associated with improved learning and memory.

Appreciate mistakes. Mistakes are expected in hands-on learning environments. When students understand missteps are valuable, they’re less fearful of making them.

Combat imposter syndrome. When students see the results of what their own hands produce, they grow in confidence. Students are able to draw on this self-assurance in difficult moments of learning.

Find your passion. Select relevant majors and professions. Research shows students will be more committed to their college major and profession when it matches their learning style and interests.

Armed with the knowledge and skills cultivated in an apprenticeship, a student can then decide a few things:

Are my skills proficient? A mentor cultivates strengths and identifies opportunities for growth. An intern can work with a mentor to find best practices and resources to hone skills.

Am I taking the right classes? A mentor works on the job alongside the apprentice, guiding them to connect the worlds of school and work. The mentor may suggest courses to bolster theoretical knowledge in the field.

Am I targeting the right field? An intern may realize that a career path is not what they expected. The mentor can work with the intern to identify career paths more aligned with the student's interests based on the shifting landscape of the work environment.

By changing the mindset and treating internships like apprenticeships, we can expect an increase in the probability of producing a larger, more productive, and engaged STEM workforce just as the trades have done for over two millennia.