Apprentices seem to be a dying breed. It’s not a word that’s heard often in the workplace anymore. An apprentice? Most people associate the word with some type of blue-collar job. Internships are meant to apprenticeships, but most of the time they are anything but that. Since most interns work for no pay, employers often take advantage of this to delegate menial work that has little or no educational value. It’s way for employers to save money, and there’s usually no motivation to provide an enriching experience for interns. Most internships suck, and iMADdu is an organization that recognizes this.
When I read iMADdu’s mission statement, I knew this was a group that I wanted to be a part of. They promote apprenticeship in the most effective learning environment: small businesses. Unlike large corporations, small business owners have a very tangible relationship with their products and services. They have a lot of pride in what they do, and are more willing to pass on their experiences to others. Placing students in this type of environment will provide them with a great learning experience, which in many cases will be far more valuable than anything they’d ever learn in a classroom.
I’m hopeful that as a member of the iMADdu team, I’ll be able to give willing students the opportunity to thrive in this type of environment. These apprenticeships benefit not only the students, but the business owners as well. There would be far more successful entrepreneurs if iMADdu were a part of every school curriculum.
