Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2022 at LinkedIn

"Apprenticeship programs provide the perfect stepping stone for individuals from all types of backgrounds looking to re-enter the workforce, change careers, or build new skills. And companies highly benefit from onboarding this new and diverse talent. The LinkedIn apprenticeship programs help to bridge skills gaps by enabling individuals from all walks of life to pursue their passions regardless of what their previous schooling or experience looks like. Through this program, LinkedIn is truly living by its vision of creating economic opportunity for every member of the workforce.” - Joy Opsvig, Data Science Apprentice, REACH?

Please join LinkedIn in celebrating the 8th Annual National Apprenticeship Week (or NAW) from November 14 - 20, 2022! This is a nationwide celebration where industry, labor, equity, workforce, education, and government leaders showcase the value of apprenticeships and how they contribute directly to rebuilding our economy, advancing racial and gender equity, and supporting underserved communities.?

We’re grateful for the opportunity to highlight LinkedIn’s innovative apprenticeship programs and celebrate skills-based hiring in action! We fundamentally believe that top talent can come from anywhere, as talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. The mismatch between talent supply and demand in our industry can be addressed in a sustainable manner by changing the way we identify, recruit, and develop talent. With this problem in mind, we prioritize apprenticeship hiring as a solution. At LinkedIn, we aspire to be a destination for people with non-traditional backgrounds who are looking to pivot their career and get their foot in the door in the tech industry.

To learn more about our apprentice’s journeys and trajectories at LinkedIn and beyond, join us at our live virtual Alumni Panel on November 17th. RSVP details and more information below.?

Demystifying Apprenticeships: 5 Things to Consider When Considering an Apprenticeship Program at LinkedIn?

Apprenticeships are an amazing way to pivot into tech, but are a new and growing area of opportunity. Let’s demystify some of the most common misconceptions around apprenticeships with advice from our own program alum:

• You’re welcome at any time! Apprentices don't need to be fresh out of college. Many apprentices leverage the apprenticeship programs to support a career pivot. ?
• It’s not a fixed-term internship! Apprentices are full-time employees with access to benefits and perks.?
• You don't need prior experience in the field nor a related bachelor's degree! Professional and educational experiences from other industries are valued and celebrated.??
• You can continue your education! Apprentices have a team and dedicated mentors to support their growth, while also having ample time for self-learning.?
• You’re not in it alone! Apprentices are part of a cohort that meet frequently to share resources, build community, and grow together.?

Program Spotlight: REACH

REACH , one of the three apprenticeship programs offered at LinkedIn, is our technical apprenticeship program that creates opportunity for every individual with the passion, potential, and drive to either develop or restart their technical career.

It's a multi-year program where passionate individuals work in technical roles to build their skill set and gain the experience needed to move into a technical career. The apprenticeship consists of on-the-job technical responsibilities, mentorship, and dedicated time to independently develop tech skills.?

"Why REACH? We believe that for professionals from non-traditional backgrounds, transforming their careers and becoming an engineer is within their reach here at LinkedIn. We know top talent can come from anywhere and believe that we will be better able to realize LinkedIn’s vision with greater diversity of and perspective on our team." Mohak Shroff , SVP of Engineering?& REACH Founding Sponsor

?? Meet the LinkedIn Apprentices

Jeanece Lyles ???? , UXR Apprentice, REACH

My Top 5 Highlights While in REACH

1. Feeling fully seen by my team as a professional, a single parent of 2 young children, a Black woman, and being respected and encouraged to share my ingenuity and fresh insights coming from a non-traditional background.?
2. Doing work in a new field that allows me to continue advocating for marginalized communities and highlight human rights.?
3. Knowing there is so much evolution ahead in the field of UXR that I will never grow bored, allowing space to refine my craft but continue to stretch and grow at the same time.?
4. Showcase my artistic talent by being accepted into Microsoft’s Employee Art Showcase.?
5. Being able to give back through the LinkedIn Coaches initiative. ?

Katie Eberling, Alumni, UnLock

“Changing an established career path is a big decision. UnLock equipped me with the skills to succeed in an industry in which I had no prior experience. The learning environment accelerated my growth by providing the opportunity to practice and ask questions. At LinkedIn, my non-traditional background is valued, and I feel confident I belong.”

Svitlana Anoshchenko, Android Engineer Apprentice, REACH

“Here at LinkedIn, I have the best mentor who helped me create my learning plan, helped me with onboarding, and constantly helping me and answering all my questions. And I have the best team, they always praise my work even when I accomplish a tiny task, this helps me to believe in myself, that I can succeed in programming, and it motivates me a lot! For all the time that I have worked here, I feel that LinkedIn cares about their employees the same as how they care about users of their product. I felt this care and support especially a lot after Russia invaded Ukraine, it was a tough time for me and my family. And I am grateful to my manager and team, and REACH family, they have been very understanding and supportive! I am lucky to be a part of the Reach Apprenticeship program and REACH family.”

Joy Opsvig , Data Science Apprentice, REACH

“As a former public relations and communications manager, I had always been fascinated by data and the ability to use data to learn more about people and the world around us. I spent years of my career managing communication campaigns for data science teams and economists, but I never felt like I could make the jump into the industry because I had no prior technical training or experience. After exploring online classes and successfully graduating from a data science bootcamp, I found the REACH apprenticeship program and it has completely changed the trajectory of my career. REACH gave me an opportunity to follow my dreams even though my background and experience doesn't look anything like my colleagues. I am so hopeful for my future, as well as for my fellow REACH apprentices. Thanks to LinkedIn, our lives have changed, and I can only hope that more companies adopt apprenticeship programs to provide further career-changing opportunities for the world's workforce."

Get Involved! Help Us Celebrate and Amplify NAW?

To celebrate #NAW22 at LinkedIn, we will host events and platform discussions throughout the week for current apprentices, program alumni, apprentice managers, mentors, and advocates.

?? Join Our Event: NAW 2022 – LinkedIn Apprentice Alumni Panel?

Join LinkedIn as we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) with a live panel discussion featuring several LinkedIn alumni apprentices on Thursday 11/17 at 1 PM PST! You'll have an opportunity to hear their stories and we will deep dive into the impact and value of these apprenticeship programs at LinkedIn and beyond.?

RSVP HERE and submit a question you would like to ask our panelists. Can’t wait to hear from you!?

?? Share Your Story?

To amplify National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), starting on November 14th, we invite you to post about your personal apprenticeship experience with your network on LinkedIn and Instagram! Share your favorite memories, learnings, personal growth, skills learned, and career development journey.

Don’t forget to add hashtag #NAW22 , tag @LinkedIn Life and include photos with fellow apprentices, alumni, mentors, managers, or anyone else who was part of your apprenticeship experience!?