Sania Kamani, a Second Year Apprentice in the Claims Admin Department at Zurich North America in Schaumburg, Illinois, set her sights on apprenticeship in high school. Though discouraged at first, through determination and drive she graduated high school with honors and entered the apprenticeship program, where she found community, mentorship, and gained experience. Kamani is a member of the 2026 Illinois Apprentice Ambassador cohort. Joining Sania is Debra Lawrence, Director of Business Services for Business and Career Services at the American Job Center in Wheeling, Illinois, who is working on the ground to expand the apprenticeship model.

Their conversation explores what it means to be an apprentice and what it looks like for business and families, especially those making the transition from high school to working.

To learn more about apprenticeships, go to ApprenticeshipsIL.com and follow Apprenticeship Illinois on LinkedIn.

To learn more about apprenticeships, go to ApprenticeshipIL.com and follow Apprenticeship Illinois on LinkedIn.

John Williams, a Senior Analyst at Accenture in Chicago, had to convince his parents that he had a job when he joined a paid apprenticeship at age 19. Little did they know that this position would give him the training, mentorship, and camaraderie he needed to thrive. Williams is a member of the 2026 cohort of Illinois Apprentice Ambassadors. He is joined in conversation by Co-Chair of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) and CEO of UCC Environmental, Andrew Warrington, who reflects on how his own apprenticeship experience in the U.K. inspired him to help expand apprenticeship presence in the U.S. after emigrating here 27 years ago.

What they both found is that the best of the best feel imposter syndrome. If you push through, you'll find that "you belong where you are."

To learn more about apprenticeships, go to ApprenticeshipIL.com and follow Apprenticeship Illinois on LinkedIn.