Internships and apprenticeships, when done right, give interns and apprentices life long lessons. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, these opportunities aren’t accessible to many and so we wanted to invite folks who have had these experiences to share some of the lessons they’ve learned.

Bria Jaime

I had quite the amount of apprenticeships and internships in my life aka being the assistant (and learner). Such a cool role. This is where all the real foundational learning begins for sure. It gives you perspective. I had some great times, and some bad times. One huge learning moment was when I worked for someone who really belittled me and talked down to me with a smile on their face. I was scared and stressed everyday coming to work and always felt like I wasn’t doing a good job. The job lasted 3 months, I worked long hours, and the pay was not fair. When they let me go to hire my best friend, I felt completely betrayed and realized how unprofessional that was. I had stayed thinking they were the best of the best, but came to realize it doesn’t matter someone’s status. You better treat your assistant right, you better love them, take care of them, teach them, encourage them, inspire them, and pay them right. I learned a lot at that job honestly, I learned the actual tools of the craft, but I knew that I would be mindful of how I talk to and treat someone always, and those around me. The next apprenticeship I had was the complete opposite. The most inspiring, motivating, and fair mentor ever. And they thought I was the best assistant ever! So that hurtful experienced, turned into something very valuable for my next experience. Read more>>

Krystal Thornton

My internship was a journey of experiences. I worked in a variety of mental health settings and gained valuable experience that helped me pioneer my own mental health private practice. The most important factor that I learned from my internship is to be always be ethical and have integrity. The most valuable lesson that I took was to be honest in business, advocate for yourself, and not be afraid to start over. There were times I didn’t advocate for myself as I should during this process keep people happy. Not only was I hurting myself as a future clinician, I was hurting myself as a future business owner and supervisor. Therefore, I found a new supervisor and learned the importance of ethics and integrity while speaking up as I should have initially. I was no longer afraid of losing my internship and took charge in learning all that I could with the help and support of my newly appointed supervisor who was the best at leading new clinicians. I understood and realized that everyone has different teaching and learning styles and it is important to be a match to whom you choose to supervise, guide, and lead you as a clinician. Fast forward, I own my own mental health private practice and is thriving in business. Read more>>

Ellen Pierce

I am currently an apprentice for a designer. I’ve been under Alishia Lee for a little over a year and it has been a learning experience for sure. It’s not too often in these days that you find someone who is wiling to take you up under their wing and show you how to fly. I came with an interest to learn more about fashion and the industry around it and Alishia really opened new doors for me. Not only was I exposed to the world of fashion but also to the business side of things. I have grown in my professionalism tremendously. Being exposed to the ins and outs, good and bad and everything in between. I am grateful to have a mentor who I can trust and look up to. Learning confidence has been a huge part of my journey as an apprentice. I jumped in the fashion world full force once Alishia ensured me that if I was serious she was too and that she had my best intentions at heart. It was a huge change. I left my job and decided to have faith and trust that this was my path at the moment. I have since learned to see my potential as worthy of making room for me. I have gained confidence that I am capable of accomplishing anything. I enjoy being an apprentice. I have recently been challenged to show what I’ve learned in an upcoming design battle against another very talented designer. Alishia has created opportunities for me to learn, grow and express. I am thankful for the people that enact change in my life. I have, since starting with Alishia, started my own business Ellevated Ent. I provide services in the areas I’ve learned from my experiences as an apprentice and creative. I have grown in my modeling career and tapped into my potential as a designer. Read more>>

Brianna Sigg

I had this incredible opportunity to complete my clinical internship during graduate school in Namibia, Africa. I spent a lot of my life having big dreams and ideas but my confidence sometimes impacted by follow through. I hadn’t really been out of the country prior to this but I was determined to challenge myself to do this. I spent 3 months by myself in Namibia and worked 5 days a week at a Forensic Mental Health Hospital. It was one of the coolest things I have ever done and probably will ever do in my lifetime! I learned so much about myself on that trip, mostly I was able to see what I am capable of if I get outside of my comfort zone. This experience will continue to remind me to push myself and seek things out that exhilarate me. Read more>>

Molly Doyle

I had always wanted to be a pediatric physical therapist. Ever since I could remember, way back in first grade and all the way through college; that was the plan. I did my undergraduate degree in Exercise Science at University of Minnesota – Mankato with the intention to apply to graduate school to pursue my dream of becoming a pediatric PT. Read more>>