what is an apprenticeship
Learning through doing? That’s the underlying mechanic.
So sit back, pick up your energy drink (or tea, if you’re that cool cat), and let’s discuss what an apprenticeship actually is, why it’s lowkey awesome, and how it’s kinda like leveling up in life. I’ll even drop some personal gems along the way. No grind required—unless you’re counting work. what is an apprenticeship
What is an Apprenticeship Really?
An apprenticeship is essentially a tutorial in the game that includes side quests and XP rewards—only instead of learning a trade or skill, you’re learning how to kill dragons or brew potions. Consider being employed to learn, complete with the perk of being compensated for it. Yes, that’s correct. You’re paid to learn.
Unlike traditional college or university, where you’re stuck in a room listening to a professor’s PowerPoint and staring off into space, an apprenticeship gets you in it right away. You’re doing hands-on stuff—whatever that is to you, whether it’s repairing cars, programming, or producing awful pastries—and there’s generally someone who knows more than you to direct you, sort of like a wise wizard. Just with more coffee and less robes. what is an apprenticeship
Apprenticeship vs. College – The Ultimate Battle
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: “Do I go to college or take an apprenticeship?” I get it. I’ve been there as well. It’s choosing between two game storylines—one’s the off-the-beaten-path mainstream franchise RPG (college), and the other’s the under-the-radar indie game (apprenticeship) that turns out to be so much more fun and surprisingly rewarding. what is an apprenticeship
Here’s how they stack up:
College: You plod along through 3-4 years of quest-style classes, accumulate student loans like they’re gold you borrowed from a goblin king, and hope you land that mythical loot (i.e., a job) afterwards. what is an apprenticeship
Apprenticeship: You get to play straight away. You learn the skills while getting paid, gain industry-recognised qualifications, and often get offered a job before you’ve even finished. what is an apprenticeship
In my experience? Attempted college. Two semesters of a computer science degree before I was learning more from modding Skyrim than my Java instructor. Dropped out, landed a digital marketing apprenticeship, and never looked back. Actual XP, actual clients, and actual progress. what is an apprenticeship
Who Do Apprenticeships Suit?
Short answer? Just about anyone.
Long answer? If you:
Learn through practice and not by reading about it
Want to shun the academic drudgery
Similar to the concept of learning and working simultaneously
Are kinda stressed about student loans
Working a career in the skilled trades, technology, or even the arts.
…then yes, apprenticeships are sort of your thing. what is an apprenticeship
And the thing is, there are apprenticeships in all manner of things these days. Not just plumbing and welding (though those are still decent ones), but game development, IT support, graphic design, social media, and yes, even business admin. No laughing matter—I did meet someone whose entire role was coming up with plans for memes on a company Twitter account. Living the dream. what is an apprenticeship
What You Really Do in an Apprenticeship
Okay, so let’s jump into gameplay loop.
When you start an apprenticeship, you’ll typically spend:
80% time devoted to doing actual job work (working on actual projects, following around masters, etc.)
20% of formal learning (workshops, online courses, quizzes, that sort of thing) what is an apprenticeship
It’s like a co-op campaign. You’re on the team. You have a job. You’re learning new “skills” each week. And you’re not just hearing someone describe doing SEO or welding or customer service, you’re doing it—every day. That’s what it is to be working. So by the time you reach level 99 (or, you know, program completion), you already have significant XP, a completed resume, and industry connections.
Also, you usually do not have to bring lunch. Shoutout to free snacks in the break room.
But What About the Loot? (Aka the Money Part)
We should not forget the gold coins.
Apprenticeships don’t necessarily begin with humongous salaries (particularly when it comes to higher-end occupations), but the catch is that you’re compensated while you’re learning, and it absolutely makes all the difference. what is an apprenticeship
Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars on a degree and praying for a job, you’re already employed. You’re learning and earning, and before you complete your apprenticeship, you’re already on the payroll—sometimes even being offered full-time positions on the spot. what is an apprenticeship
In my first year as a digital marketing apprentice, I only just managed to afford rent, food, and to give a good PC an upgrade, and had a bit of cash left over for the occasional Steam sale. (Sorry wallet. Not sorry.)
Real Talk: Strengths and Weaknesses
As with any good game, there are pros and cons of apprenticeships. Here’s the gamer’s TL;DR: what is an apprenticeship
Pros:
You learn doing (big W)
You earn money instead of debt
You acquire real work experience
You usually become employed for life
They result in professional certification.
Pros:
Cons:
Initial salary cannot be below
You need to be prepared to work 9-to-5
Fewer choices than during student life
Work + study can be difficult to juggle
There are other programs available (read the reviews!)
Honestly? The advantages far outweighed the disadvantages for me. I was tired of theory and starving for hands-on XP. And working in the real world? It’s like transitioning from tutorial mode to the main questline. No more grinding the same old dull mobs—this was actual progress. what is an apprenticeship
Gamer Tip: How to Find the Right Apprenticeship
Alright, here’s some advice from someone who’s been through it:
Use legal platforms
Don’t just Google “apprenticeships near me” and click on the first shoddy link. Try using proper websites like:
Apprenticeships.gov (if in the U.S.)
Indeed
LinkedIn Jobs
Community colleges or local vocational schools
Consider reviews and company culture
I once interviewed at an organization that looked great on paper, but was basically the office version of a rage-quit. Check out reviews on Glass door. Ask the current or former apprentices how it really is. It’s like reading a game’s Steam reviews—don’t skip it. what is an apprenticeship
Pick something you’re really into
Don’t take an apprenticeship simply because it’s “safe.” Take one where you’d want to find yourself walking into a Monday. Whether it’s coding, design, mechanics, or marketing—if you like it, it’ll stick.”. what is an apprenticeship
Apprenticeships and the Gamer Attitude
Let’s be real: gamers are natural apprentices.
Think about it—we spend hours learning systems, learning mechanics, and trial and error until we finally get it right. That’s the whole mindset of an apprenticeship. It’s for individuals who don’t just want to read a guidebook—they want to press a button and see what happens. what is an apprenticeship
So if you’re the type who:
Established an empire in Civilization VI
Min-maxed your loadout in Warframe
Assembled your PC with bolts just to play Cyberpunk 2077 on Ultra… what is an apprenticeship
.then congratulations. You already possess the mind of an apprentice. You’re just a click away from making that attitude a career.
My Apprenticeship Story (Spoiler: It’s Still Going)
I started my digital marketing apprenticeship with absolutely no clue what I was doing. I knew I liked creating content and analytics (thank you, Twitch and Google Ads), but I had no experience. Six months in, I was crafting SEO copy, campaign managing, and dissecting traffic data like it was a post-game League of Legends analysis. Flash forward to a year later, and I’m now on the core team. I landed a permanent role with the same company. I still get to learn new things, but now I get to train new apprentices as well. Full circle moment. And yeah—I still game on weekends. Some things never change. Final Thoughts: Apprenticeships Are the IRL Side Quest That Becomes the Main Story If you’re someone who lives off of doing rather than sitting at lectures, apprenticeships are a total game-changer. It’s the ultimate life hack—gaining real skills, earning real money, and gaining real-world XP without taking on a boss-level student debt. And as in any good game, the farther you get, the more options you have. So if you’re newly graduated from high school, failing out of college, or just tired of NPC-level jobs, look into apprenticeships. You might just find the ultimate side quest that turns into your next grand adventure. Catch you in the break room—most likely talking about leveling guides. what is an apprenticeship
