Introducing Ã山ǿ¼é's Apprenticeship to Degree Program, where students have the opportunity to earn, learn and intern, forging careers while contributing to the development of the local workforce. This program establishes a dynamic partnership between the university and local industries, small businesses and government entities. Through paid externships and internships, students embark on a journey of professional growth and development.


The Apprenticeship to Degree initiative allows employers to introduce Ã山ǿ¼é students to their organizational culture with the prospect of making long-term hires. Enrolled students gain valuable employment opportunities and enjoy the benefits of on-campus housing, credits toward graduation and a comprehensive orientation to the diverse career options throughout the region. The program fosters familiarity and consistency by encouraging students to engage with the same organization/employer for multiple years, enhancing exposure, understanding and appreciation for the employer's industry. The AU Apprenticeship to Degree Program is not just an internship program, it's a brain gain for students and the local community.

In This Section

Career Development

Career Fair John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne
Earn
Ã山ǿ¼é Business Student in Classroom
Learn
Spencer Matthews, communication student, at CHOP internship.
Intern


Learn More Ã山ǿ¼é the Program

Employer Benefits
  • Costs of hiring and training new employees will be offset by a one-to-three-year internship/externship that may lead to hires.
  • Students studying at Ã山ǿ¼é will stay in the region leading to less attrition.
Business Benefits: Supporting Ã山ǿ¼é Students


Academic Year Semester Housing

  • Move in early as needed for internship
  • Housing Cost - $59 a day
  • Ã山ǿ¼é provides professional training and mentoring to assist with transition to employment.
     

Summer Housing

  • Housing Cost - Covered by Ã山ǿ¼é
  • Ã山ǿ¼é provides professional staff and residential assistants on-site to support residents and monitor activities on campus.
Externships and Internships


Externship Model

  • Provide part-time paid externship opportunities for Ã山ǿ¼é students during the academic year and full or part-time to full-time paid externship opportunities in the summer.
  • Offer a variety of employment options for students to choose, including engineering, communications, business and marketing.
  • Employer hiring processes implemented
  • Employer requirements instituted and financially supported if licensing and training is required
     

Internship Model

  • Provide 10-20 hour a week internship opportunity (part-time) or 20-40 hours (fulltime, summer & winter only) for Ã山ǿ¼é students during the academic year.

 

Apprenticeship to Degree vs. O'Pake Fellows Program

Ã山ǿ¼é's Apprenticeship to Degree and Ã山ǿ¼é's serve similar but different purposes to increase opportunities and exposure for Ã山ǿ¼é Students. 

Student ExperiencesApprenticeship to Degree ProgramO'Pake Fellows Program
Socialization to Professional Culture✔✔
Employment-Based Internship✔ 
Project Based Fellowships âœ”
Exposure to one industry partner's culture✔ 
Exposure to multiple industry partners. Work may occur on site. âœ”
1-3 years of scaffolded training and employment interviews for long-term employment in the company✔ 
Retain students in the Reading area✔✔
Obtain credits for the experience✔✔

 

Interested in the AU Apprenticeship to Degree Program?

Students interested in participating in the program should contact the Office of Career Development at Career.Development@alvernia.edu.

Employers interested in participating in the program should contact the Office of the Provost at Provost@alvernia.edu.