Apprenticeship opportunities are unique because they allow individuals to grow their skills from the ground up while earning a living wage and having their education paid for, all while folding in support services to ensure success. In short, apprenticeship opportunities can change lives. Ayman Faruqi is no stranger to the life-changing benefits of apprenticeship.

Faruqi has worked as a Software Development apprentice with Northwestern Medicine for the past year through the Project Hire-Ed apprenticeship program at the College of DuPage. Being an apprentice has allowed him to apply the skills he is learning in the classroom to real-life applications. “My technical skills, compared to what they were a year ago, have seen exponential growth. I am in a position where I take care of some projects on my own and provide any contribution to my team.” He is also proud that his work “could somehow bring about a change in someone’s life.”

Sometimes, apprentices begin their program with certain expectations, such as learning new skills and gaining hands-on experience. But for Faruqi, he was surprised by all the things he didn’t anticipate! “I guess if there were one word that I would want to summarize my (apprenticeship) experience so far, it would be “new.” Yes, that may seem like a fundamental word, but it holds a lot of depth. I started knowing very little about my current role as an apprentice and did not even know what an apprenticeship was. It was something that I would not have expected to turn my life around, and I mean this in the most realistic way possible. This opportunity gave me a new perspective into the professional world, a view I think no other opportunity would have.”

The apprenticeship with Northwestern Medicine has introduced Faruqi to new technologies and work with highly skilled professionals with years of industry-leading expertise. “Having the privilege to work with them every day in a capacity to directly bring about some sort of difference in someone’s life, I think I would put this as a blessing in disguise.”

While Faruqi believes one of the best things about being an apprentice is the balance between school and work, wherein neither overpowers the other, he also encourages other apprentices to jump right in and immerse themselves in everything! “Just do it!  It sounds cliche, but it is what worked for me. Learn anything you can get your hands on, ask questions, do your homework on time, be helpful and approachable, and know how to conduct yourself.”