I met a great young man yesterday at a career fair. He is a foreign student here in the US on a student visa. I was at this career fair to talk with students about entrepreneurship and building a business as another option to “just getting a job.”
This young man is a business major and was fascinated with what I was saying. He was at the career fair looking for a summer “job shadow” opportunity. As we talked, his whole face lit up thinking about what it would mean to him to be able to create his own business and help others do the same. It reminded me of the desire that should burn in every entrepreneur to find an apprentice.
I know … many would say, “What, do you want me to train my competition?” And my answer would be, “No, I want you to bring someone along side you and help them to understand the neuances of business and how it can be done in a fair, ethical, and legal way.” Kind of like what Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad” did for him. If you choose the right apprentice and if you train them correctly, they may go out to create their own business but they will NOT become your direct competitor. You will have taught them better than that! (Do you think for a minute that Kiyosaki’s rich dad worried for a minute that he was going to loose business to Robert?)
Now for many business owners their apprentice is a son or daughter who shows an interest in entrepreneurship and business. For others an apprentice is a little harder to find. Yet, if you look where young entrepreneurs are, they are not that hard to find.
My greatest joy in life is having an opportunity to pass what I have learned on to someone else so that they can move forward in their lives as well. Business owners would do well to consider this idea, not just for the sake of the apprentice, but also for the satisfaction it will bring in their own lives.
What do you think? Do you have an apprentice? Would you consider finding one and helping them find their way in business?
Great concept – A superb alternative to vocational schools and graduate internships; I’m an advocate of apprenticeships – get a mentor to drive ethics, success habits and improve skills. I’m game and will explore apprenticeships for my field, real estate.
Kristi – I worked in real estate for several years and I can’t think of an industry where apprenticeships would work any better. As you explore this option, please report back to us and let us know how its going!
Great idea. In South Africa we already use this system called in Internship . Any new agent since, July 2008, has to be registered for this training programme which is supposed to be over one year but can be exented and when they compelte it and pass the exam they are considered to be full status agents. It costs the principal a fair amount and yet no contract is signed for the new agent to stay on after the qualification. It has been established to assist the “previously Disadvantaged” but with the high cost not many principals are using the programme and the new intern cannot afford it
Hilton – Thanks for the insight. It is too bad that something that could be so good is not being used to its fullest because of costs.