Internships are a great way to get firsthand experience in a career before you make a permanent decision.  An internship helps you learn about the day-to-day reality of an industry and can help you determine what you want from your career before committing. Unlike a regular position, internships last for a limited period of time, often a summer or a school semester. Internships can be full-time or just a few hours a day. They can be paid, unpaid or may count as class credit. No matter the compensation, the main focus is on learning and gaining experience.

It's important to do research before starting an internship. Once you find a program that fits your criteria, look at the structure of the program. Here are some important questions to ask:

• Who will manage me?

• How many hours a week will I be expected or able to work?

• How flexible is this position? Will the schedule work around school?

• For what will I be responsible?

• What will I receive in return?

• Is there financial compensation or is this an unpaid internship?

• Will I be involved in actual projects?

• Are there exercises geared toward interns?

It can be useful to talk to people who have been through the same program. If there's an internship coordinator, ask him or her if there is a past participant willing to discuss the experience. He or she can give you candid insight into the opportunity.

You should also do an online search for information about the company offering the internship. This could help you gauge what it might be like to work there and alert you to any problems in the company's organization. You want to find a program that fits your schedule, personality and career goals. There are a lot of options for you to choose from, so research carefully, and you're sure to find the ones that will be rewarding.

An apprenticeship program trains you to become skilled in a trade or profession. Apprenticeship training typically combines classroom learning with hands-on work. Community colleges, technical training schools, and even employers provide these job-related educational courses.  

An apprenticeship offers several notable advantages in addition to getting paid and on-the-job training. Apprentices also receive classroom instruction, mentorship with an experienced professional, and credentials upon program completion. 

Apprenticeships are common in skilled trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical, hairstyling, hospitality, transportation, and manufacturing. But these programs are also available in professionalized industries such as healthcare, finance, business, and information technology.