Traditional educational and career paths are not ideal for all young adults. Many young adults turn to apprenticeship or workforce programs to equip themselves with the skills and knowledge to enter a specific industry.
Check out young adult perspectives below:
The Value of Non-Traditional Workforce Training Programs
In a world where traditional education often takes center stage, it’s easy to overlook the fact that many young adults thrive through non-traditional workforce training programs. For those who don’t fit into the conventional academic mold, apprenticeships, internships, and alternative training programs offer hands-on experience and industry-specific skills that can be just as—if not more—valuable than a classroom education. Reflecting on my own journey, I realize how crucial these opportunities were in shaping my career and passions in ways that traditional education alone could not.
My story began with an internship at the Chicago Law Department—an experience that had a profound impact on my life. As a high school student uncertain about my future, I had always been drawn to social justice, community advocacy, and the idea of creating change through law and policy. When I applied for the internship, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I hoped it would provide insight into the legal field.
The experience was transformative. Working alongside seasoned professionals, I was introduced to the practical aspects of legal aid and saw firsthand how the law could be a powerful tool for social change. I assisted with case preparation, conducted legal research, and observed legal proceedings. What stood out to me the most was seeing the direct impact that legal work had on people’s lives, particularly within the communities I cared about.
This internship was more than just a job—it was a gateway to my future. It ignited a passion for law and policy that I hadn’t fully realized before. I came to understand that I wanted to create change in my community not just through activism but through legal aid and advocacy. This experience ultimately led me to pursue a degree in Political Science, a path I might not have considered without my time at the Chicago Law Department.
In addition, my internship with Increase The Peace Chicago further solidified my desire to work in legal aid. During my time there, I worked with young people seeking guidance and mentorship, learning firsthand the importance of community-based support. Increase The Peace’s mission to connect communities with legal services and advocate for justice aligned perfectly with my passion for social change.
Today, I serve as an administrator for the Increase The Peace Legal Aid Clinic. Thanks to the skills I gained during my high school internships, I returned to Increase The Peace as an adult, where I now help provide free legal services to over 200 community members in partnership with Beyond Legal Aid. This role has allowed me to combine my education with my passion for making a tangible impact in people’s lives. The mentorship and exposure I received early on have been invaluable to my career.
Looking back, I realize that without these non-traditional workforce training programs, I might never have pursued a degree in Political Science or considered law as a career. These internships provided me with the hands-on experience and practical skills that laid the foundation for my professional growth. They connected me with real-world opportunities and helped me build a career that aligns with my values and aspirations.
This is why non-traditional workforce training programs are so important. They give young adults the chance to explore career paths and gain industry-specific experience in ways that traditional education sometimes cannot. Many of these programs, like internships, offer a direct path to employment and provide skills that are immediately applicable in the workforce. In my case, my internships didn’t just shape my academic journey—they opened doors that led to a fulfilling career in legal aid.
Non-traditional programs offer more than just an introduction to a field; they provide real-world exposure, mentorship, and opportunities for personal and professional development. For young adults who might not fit within traditional education systems, these programs can be life-changing. If we continue to invest in and promote these alternative pathways, we can equip young adults with the tools they need to succeed—not just in the workplace, but in their communities as well.
For me, my internships at the Chicago Law Department and Increase The Peace Chicago were pivotal moments that not only shaped my career but also allowed me to make a meaningful impact in my community. These programs provided more than just job experience—they gave me the tools and support I needed to build a career I am proud of. They serve as a reminder that some of the most valuable education doesn’t come from textbooks and classrooms but from hands-on, real-world experiences that prepare young adults for success.
Aguayo, Evelyn, IL
A Missed Opportunity: The Difference Workforce Training Can Make
After graduating from high school in 2019, I took a year off before attending college to gain work experience. My ideal plan was to work as an organizer for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, but after interviewing, I was devastated to learn that I was ineligible for the position because I had not yet turned eighteen. Instead, I took a job I greatly disliked and volunteered for the campaign on the side. Eventually, I discovered a position in the data department that I was eligible for. Despite my limited experience with many of the campaign’s technical applications, I was hired with the understanding that I could quickly learn them.
Once on the campaign, I was trained to use a variety of tools I had little to no prior experience with, including voter file databases, peer organizing platforms, and website content management systems. I became so proficient that I eventually helped train both volunteers and fellow staff members. In just a few months, I went from knowing only a handful of functions in the voter file database to becoming one of a dozen national-level administrators of the system. While this experience was invaluable and highly educational, it also gave me an unrealistic expectation of how easy it would be to find another job that offered similar on-the-job training.
When the campaign ended, I learned about several virtual workforce training courses in data and programming that were available at little to no cost due to the pandemic. However, I assumed that my campaign experience, combined with the data tools I expected to learn in my political science courses, would be sufficient for my career goals. As a result, I chose not to take advantage of these opportunities—an assumption that I would later regret.
As I began applying for other data-related positions, some employers were impressed by my experience, but most ultimately sought candidates with more technical skills, particularly in coding. Additionally, the college courses I had counted on to enhance my technical expertise turned out to be far less intensive than I had hoped. This experience taught me an important lesson: workforce training is not a replacement for higher education but a crucial supplement to it.
Looking back, I regret not taking advantage of the training opportunities available to me, especially now that they come at a much higher cost. Expanding access to workforce training programs would benefit all young adults, equipping us with the practical skills needed to pursue the careers we aspire to.
Andersen, Finn, IL
Building Skills for a New Path: My Experience in a Website Development Training Program”
Not every young adult finds the traditional educational or career path to be the right fit. For many, non-traditional programs like apprenticeships and workforce training offer a more practical and direct route to career opportunities. I experienced this firsthand through a six-month, free training program focused on coding languages and website development—an opportunity that not only introduced me to the tech industry but also set me on a clear career path.
Before entering the program, I was uncertain about my career direction. I wanted to work in a field that offered stability and growth, but I wasn’t drawn to the traditional four-year college route. Technology had always interested me, yet I lacked the technical skills to pursue it professionally. That’s when I discovered the website development training program—a hands-on experience designed to teach in-demand coding skills and provide a certificate that could open doors in the tech industry.
Over six months of intensive training, I learned essential coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with practical website design and development skills. The program was structured to help participants build websites from scratch, understand the technical aspects of web development, and gain real-world experience. It was exactly what I had been looking for—an alternative to a multi-year degree that still provided the skills necessary to break into the workforce.
During the program, I worked on real-world projects, collaborated with peers, and received mentorship from experienced developers. This hands-on experience was invaluable, as it allowed me to immediately apply what I was learning in a job-ready way. By the end of the program, I had built a portfolio of personal and group projects, which became a key asset in my job search.
Beyond technical skills, the program gave me something just as important—confidence. The certificate I earned was proof of my abilities, helping me stand out to employers. Additionally, the program provided job placement assistance, which played a crucial role in helping me transition into a full-time web development role after graduation.
Looking back, I realize how valuable non-traditional programs like this one are for individuals who may not be suited for or interested in a traditional college experience. These programs provide a direct pathway to in-demand careers without the financial burden or time commitment of a four-year degree. They are particularly beneficial for young adults like me, who want to enter the workforce quickly and effectively with marketable skills.
Had I not participated in this program, I might have remained uncertain about how to break into the tech field or pursued a degree that didn’t truly align with my interests or goals. This workforce training opportunity opened doors to a career I’m passionate about, proving the power of non-traditional education in helping young adults find success in rapidly evolving industries.
Programs like this are essential for individuals who may not fit into the traditional educational mold but still seek meaningful career opportunities. By offering focused, skill-based training, they equip young adults with the tools they need to thrive in today’s job market. For me, this program was more than just a learning experience—it was a stepping stone toward a fulfilling career in website development, reinforcing the importance of accessible, non-traditional pathways to success.
Collins, David Michael, IL
Expanding the Horizon
Not every young adult follows the traditional college-to-career path. Some of us need experiences beyond the classroom to truly grow, and I’ve seen firsthand how non-traditional workforce programs can be life-changing. Through two internships, I gained opportunities that a traditional education alone couldn’t have provided—one took me abroad, and the other expanded my social capital tenfold. These experiences have shaped my career aspirations and reinforced why workforce training programs are essential.
My first internship was an eye-opener. Traveling abroad pushed me out of my comfort zone, exposing me to new cultures, perspectives, and ways of thinking. I learned how to navigate unfamiliar environments, adapt to challenges, and communicate across language barriers—skills that can’t be taught in a lecture hall but are developed through lived experiences. The ability to work in a global setting not only broadened my worldview but also made me a more adaptable and resourceful professional.
My second internship was equally transformative but in a different way. It introduced me to a network of professionals, mentors, and peers who played a crucial role in my growth. My social capital expanded exponentially, opening doors I didn’t even know existed. I learned how to advocate for myself, build relationships, and seize opportunities aligned with my goals. Without this experience, I wouldn’t have had access to the same level of mentorship or career prospects.
These experiences highlight the power of non-traditional workforce programs. College is valuable, but it isn’t the only path to success. Apprenticeships, hands-on training programs, and workforce initiatives equip young adults with the skills, networks, and real-world experience needed to thrive in competitive industries. Unfortunately, many of these programs are underfunded or inaccessible, leaving countless young adults without viable alternatives to traditional education.
Investing in non-traditional workforce training isn’t just about providing more options—it’s about ensuring that every young adult, regardless of background or learning style, has the opportunity to build a successful career. My internships gave me more than just experience; they gave me confidence, connections, and a clearer vision for my future. If more young adults had access to similar opportunities, we’d see a stronger, more diverse workforce built on talent, skill, and lived experience—not just degrees.
Hillard, Hassan, IL
The Nuanced Need for Non-Traditional Workforce Training
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, I had just been wrongfully dismissed from the University of Chicago Law School in October—eight months before graduation. Being withdrawn and stripped of my student status only two weeks after the autumn quarter began meant losing everything: my internships were revoked, my scholarships were returned, and my tuition refund checks for living expenses disappeared. Without rent money, I was forced to break my lease and move out of my Hyde Park apartment—an expense I am still paying for today. Without my law degree, I was no longer qualified for the legal jobs I had been applying and interviewing for. I found myself stuck in limbo without any idea of how to recover.
I went from being a prospective lawyer on track to earning six figures to being unemployed, filling out six job applications daily. Unfortunately, a 25-year-old with a master’s degree, extensive internship and fellowship experience, and an unexplained three-year gap without a Juris Doctorate wasn’t exactly in high demand. Hiring managers kept telling me the same thing: I was overqualified for entry-level roles, too educated for mid-level roles, and too inexperienced for senior positions that required direct management experience. As if earning two degrees and gaining substantial hands-on experience somehow worked against me. Unfortunately, my bills didn’t care, and my resume couldn’t pay for food.
In my search for relief and resources, I discovered the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), a U.S. federal law designed to help job seekers find employment and employers find skilled workers. The program strengthens the public workforce system by providing access to employment, education, training, and support services. Funding is allocated to states through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and is typically administered by local Workforce Development Boards. Thanks to this funding, organizations like The Land of Lincoln Workforce Alliance (an Illinois workNet™ Center) can support individuals—including youth and those facing employment barriers—by helping them enter high-quality jobs and careers.
Through this program, I received tuition assistance to complete DePaul University’s Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Certificate Program. This program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how to build a clear, cohesive communication strategy by aligning advertising, promotion, and direct and digital marketing efforts. To earn the IMC certificate, I successfully completed three required courses, two electives, and one seminar—credentials that I now leverage as a job candidate for various marketing, communications, and content roles.
As a women’s sports advocate, I meet many former student-athletes across Illinois who used sports scholarships to fund their education but graduated with limited internship experience, making it difficult for them to find jobs. Like me, they could greatly benefit from improved access to and accountability for state workforce development programs. Illinois must implement new strategies to expand access to apprenticeship programs and improve workforce outcomes for young women and people of color. Together, we can create pathways to stable livelihoods for thousands of young adults by making free and affordable job training programs widely available.
Whitaker, Subria, IL