What are some skilled apprenticeship programs I can participate in?
I know that appreticeships programs run by local unions exist for things like becoming an electrician or plumber. Also, check out community colleges. There are lots of two-year programs or certificate programs in skilled areas like nursing, radiography, sonography, logistics, surveying, HVAC, home construction, auto repair, paralegal work, computer networking, print technology, web design, culinary trades, etc… Check with your local Workforce Board. Oftentimes they have information on apprenticeship programs for a region as well as labor market surveys regarding in-demand jobs. Sometimes I wish I had just chucked the 4-year plan and gone for a skilled trade, too. But it took many years post-degree for me to get rid of my own sense of elitism and entitlement and to realize that working in a technical or non-degree field wouldn’t be some sort of huge threat to my identity.
