APPRENTICESHIP PROGRESs
By the Acton Academy Eagles
Embedded Files
Each year studio members work on planning, preparing, researching, and securing a meaningful apprenticeship in an industry or with an individual that interests them.
*CLICK on apprenticeship title or author's name to see more details.
Pixar Intern
Pixar Intern
By Donovan O'Leary
DESCRIPTION
I will accomplish different tasks based on which Pixar executive I apprentice under. These task might include marketing or HR.WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
Storytelling, especially through film, has impacted my life more than once. Being able to secure an apprenticeship in the field of film and take a glimpse into the industry will help me decide which NGA to set my eyes toward.CURRENT STATUS
Waiting for a response from an email.PREPARATION PROCESS
Sending emails to multiple people in numerous industries, and in Pixar.
Software Designer at RockSauce
Software Designer at RockSauce
By Holden May
DESCRIPTION
This job entails one of the things I love most, problem solving. In this position, most of my time would be spent implementing computers to solve problems that we all face in our lives.WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
Over the last session, I’ve rediscovered the passion I had for programming. Because apprenticeships give you a window into a certain industry, I thought pursuing a programming field this year would be perfect.CURRENT STATUS
As it stands now, I’ve not heard back from Q Manning on the email that I sent him. I plan on following up with him at the end of next week, and pursuing a different apprenticeship if I don’t hear back.PREPARATION PROCESS
My preparation process for an apprenticeship is doing as much research first on a company, and then identifying a person that can support me in the field.
Creative Director at Austin Women's Magazine
Creative Director at Austin Women's Magazine
By Evelyn Williams
DESCRIPTION
A creative director supervises the entire creative process of the magazine from start to finish. My mentor is also the art director so she deals with layouts and design consistency and putting it all together. I will hopefully get to shadow her and see exactly what she handles in her day-to-day job.WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
In the past year I’ve become very interested in design after completing an apprenticeship with a graphic designer and helping to design this year’s yearbook. I wanted to not only explore the design aspect of a magazine, but the leadership required. I think this will be a fun, fast-paced environment to observe.CURRENT STATUS
I secured the apprenticeship! I am working on details with my mentor and hoping to start in early June.PREPARATION PROCESS
I researched the magazine and design role models, then found my mentor’s contact through the magazine’s website and LinkedIn account. I emailed her asking for a phone call, which she kindly agreed to, and I spoke to her on the phone about details. Now I am waiting to hear back on when I can get started and what I can do to prepare for it.Just because we are in quarantine doesn’t mean people are unwilling to take you on as an apprentice. I was really nervous to contact anyone because I thought I would be immediately rejected, but as soon as I sent the email I got a quick response. Confidence in a time like this will take you far.
Austonia
Austonia
By Keira Collins
DESCRIPTION
Austonia is a writing and news company that gives constant updates on the world!WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
I really want to get a writing or business apprenticeship because I believe that it will really help me with the NGA that I am currently pursuing. If I get this apprenticeship, I believe that I will learn and gain a lot.CURRENT STATUS
I’m still trying to get an apprenticeship.PREPARATION PROCESS
I sent my email to Austonia and I am still waiting for a response. I have also written my phone pitch for them and will send a follow-up email soon.
Bob Daemmrich Photography
Bob Daemmrich Photography
By Brian Teeter
DESCRIPTION
Bob Daemmrich is a fantastic photographer located in downtown Austin. He is known for doing anything from portraits, to political photography, and much more!WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
This is meaningful to me because I’m still trying to find my NGA. Photography is one thing I’m still considering pursuing, so I’m hoping this apprenticeship will either solidify my NGA or knock an option off the list. I will never know if I want to do it until I see someone really work in the industry and the in’s and out’s of an average day for a photographer.CURRENT STATUS
I’m still working to secure this apprenticeship.PREPARATION PROCESS
My preparation has been trying to get in contact with Mr. Daemmrich. I’ve asked connections to contact him, I’ve emailed, and I’ve mailed a letter to him. I’ve drafted work for if I cannot secure anything with him, but that’s been my process
Outdoor Voices
Outdoor Voices
By Meg Hart
DESCRIPTION
Outdoor Voices is a clothing company that has been taken to the national scale in the past few years, but was originally founded in Austin by an Austinite.WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
I would love to apprentice here because the company is literally what I want to build one day. It has an emphasis on sustainability and, overall, very ahead of its time. Though this is quite a reach due to the scale of the company, I want to at least try and see how far I can get. This may be a rookie mistake, but either way, I will learn something.CURRENT STATUS
In the works .PREPARATION PROCESS
This being my first apprenticeship everything so far has been a learning process, from drafting emails to cyber "stalking" potential employers. I am very excited to see where I end up and am very grateful for the opportunity Acton gives us to explore apprenticeships.
104.9 the Horn
104.9 the Horn
By Patrick O'Leary
DESCRIPTION
The apprenticeship I am trying to obtain right now is an apprenticeship for 104.9 the Horn which is sports radio broadcasting networks.WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
I want this apprenticeship because of what it would mean for my calling. If I am able to get an apprenticeship at 104.9 the Horn it would be the first major step in advancing my calling and I want that really badly. I want to start on my path to climbing up the pecking order of sports broadcasting.CURRENT STATUS
I am waiting on a response to an email I sent to someone high ranking in the company.PREPARATION PROCESS
I had to complete 5 major steps to during my preparation prosses to get to where I am today. I had to identify the exact field I want to go into for my apprenticeship., researched local sports broadcasting channels, draft an email that outlined why I wanted to be a sports broadcasters, revise that email after a critique, and gett my email greenlighted by both a fellow studio mate and a guide.Once all that was done, I sent my email to the person it was intended for.
Kung Fu AI
Kung Fu AI
By Aanika Dalal
DESCRIPTION
Shadowing the tech team at Kung Fu AI and assisting on small machine learning projects.WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
This apprenticeship will help me develop real-world knowledge of the machine learning industry while picking up important skills as well.CURRENT STATUS
Secured.PREPARATION PROCESS
In order to prepare for this apprenticeship, I have been taking Harvard’s CS50 Introduction to Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence courses as well as reading several books on machine learning in business.
Video Editor
Video Editor
By Chris Carpenter
DESCRIPTION
I am currently working to secure an apprenticeship as a video editor. My plan is to reach out to various video production companies, including IGN and GameXplain.WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
My dream is to become a professional feature film editor, and I've spent all my free time in Launchpad honing my skills as an editor. When I leave high school, I hope to secure a video editing job right out of the gate. Apprenticing with a video production company would give me a glimpse as to what the real world will be like. Furthermore, it will help me establish habits and skills that will serve me greatly when I join the workforce.CURRENT STATUS
The companies I have in mind are located across the country and I would like to be able to work with them in person. For that reason, I am holding off on reaching out due to the current circumstances. That said, I'm considering reaching out now but stressing that the apprenticeship would not be until later this year.PREPARATION PROCESS
Even though I have done this process numerous times, I always learn a lot about the value of clear communication. Specifically, this badge never ceases to remind me of the importance of in-person communication as opposed to emails (or even phone calls).
Script Supervisor Shadow
Script Supervisor Shadow
By Paige Glover
DESCRIPTION
A script supervisor’s main job is to make sure production can cut when it’s sent to the editing room. They make sure nothing is missing, shots can blend well together, and they protect continuity between scenes.WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
I want to secure this job because I have reason to believe my next step is in script supervising. It is a marketable skill that can provide me with an income while I work up to creating my own films. Additionally, mastering the art of continuity provides you with essential skills as a by-product. Script supervising lends itself to writing, directing, and editing if you understand its “ins and outs”.CURRENT STATUS
So far I have completed an S&S interview with a supervisor in Austin but am currently holding off to ask if I can apprentice with her until we can meet in person. 120 hours is a long apprenticeship and I want to make sure we will be able to work well together.PREPARATION PROCESS
I completed an S&S interview with a supervisor in Austin
Dance Director Assistant
Dance Director Assistant
By Katelyn Dishinger
DESCRIPTION
I will be apprenticing under the director and I will be helping them hit the ground running when they start up rehearsals again in August.WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
Overall, I think this apprenticeship will be valuable in showing me what it takes to lead a whole team. The director of the Majestics is a very strong leader in my eyes and I hope with some time shadowing her I can learn to emulate her skills as a leader. I am very excited for this apprenticeship as I will be returning to my old school with much more confidence and knowledge than I had before. This will be a true full circle moment for me and I am excited to see what lessons this apprenticeship will hold.CURRENT STATUS
I am happy to report that I have secured an apprenticeship with my past drill team at McNeil Highschool.PREPARATION PROCESS
To prepare for this apprenticeship I will be refreshing all my knowledge on the Majestics and dance itself, as well as choreographing a few short routines to have on hand.
Intern/Aide at Scam Nation (Formerly known as Scam School)
Intern/Aide at Scam Nation (Formerly known as Scam School)
By Eli Carll
DESCRIPTION
(THIS EAGLE HAS NOT SUBMITTED A DESCRIPTION)WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
Brian Brushwood (creator of Scam School) was in many ways a “digital mentor” for me when I started getting into magic around the age of 8, and his evolution as a performer over the past 20 years is something that personally inspires me.CURRENT STATUS
Writing my Apprenticeship EmailPREPARATION PROCESS
I have been doing as much research as I can on Brian Brushwood, along with reading some books on performance theory.
Johnson’s Backyard Garden
Johnson’s Backyard Garden
By Addie Maher
DESCRIPTION
JBG is a sustainable urban farm with a CSA program. They also go to most farmer’s markets around Austin.WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
This apprenticeship means a lot to me because I care about food and I care about sustainable farming. While I don’t think I will actually go into this field, I want to do this kind of apprenticeship for two reasons. First of all, because I think I could learn a lot about managing a business with so many complicated facets. Second of all, the field I do want to go into requires a lot of rich experiences and memories. If I’m going to write compelling stories about interesting topics, I need to live those stories first.CURRENT STATUS
It’s been difficult to find and propose an apprenticeship with our world in turmoil. Since things are easing up, I plan to send my first apprenticeship email over the break to Johnson’s Backyard Garden.PREPARATION PROCESS
From this apprenticeship process, I’ve learned the importance of really crafting your words to fit your intentions. These days, people don’t have the time or resources to train someone who isn’t going to help them succeed. That’s why putting real work into the email, phone pitch, and in-person pitch is so crucial.
SpaceX & Ad Astra
SpaceX & Ad Astra
By Sam Sandefer
DESCRIPTION
Industrial enegineeringWHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
The apprenticeship was important to me because I was able to see a manufacturing operation where the cost of poor quality if high. I was able to see how they balanced cost, quality, speed, and innovation to create the best product possible.CURRENT STATUS
CompletedPREPARATION PROCESS
When I heard there was an opportunity at SpaceX, I didn't need to make a list of apprenticeships because I knew this is the one I wanted. I was connected with someone at SpaceX and had an in-person interview/audition at their facility. My past apprenticeships helped me prepare for this one as well.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy
By Ian Watson-Hemphil
DESCRIPTION
Creating math problems/hints or review content that’s already been made for Khan's Math department.WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
This apprenticeship is meaningful to me because I want to know more about the education industry and this will show me more about that.CURRENT STATUS
Currently, I’m discussing how many hours I’ll work with them.PREPARATION PROCESS
The process hasn’t been very complicated. First, I did my research and drafted an email. Second, I sent the email and ended up getting in a conversation with the main math person at Khan. She prefers discussions over email, so that’s how we’ve been talking.
Acton Brazil
Acton Brazil
By Luca Celestino
DESCRIPTION
I will hopefully be writing some curriculum and helping the school with any needs.WHY IS THIS APPRENTICESHIP MEANINGFUL TO ME
This apprenticeship is meaningful because I will be able to do a lot of meaningful work.CURRENT STATUS
Secured but not started.PREPARATION PROCESS
To prepare, I have been working on my Portuguese (classes, talking, etc.).Report abuse