If you're looking to make a career switch but need to stay employed, you can learn on the job through an apprenticeship program. Many apprentices are paid from the start, though at a lower rate than they'll earn once their training period is complete.

    如果你想換份工作但是又不想處于無業狀態，你可以通過一個學徒計劃在工作中學習。雖然一開始，大部分學徒的工資都是很低的，但在他們的培訓期滿了以后，工資會有所增加。

    Probably the best-known careers entered through this route are electrician and plumber, but you can apprentice in a wide range of jobs, from accounts-payable clerk to wastewater treatment plant operator. The U.S. Department of Labor oversees hundreds of official, defined apprenticeship programs, and a spokeswoman said the agency plans to add new apprenticeship programs for growing fields such as health-care and "green jobs" involving energy efficiency or conservation.

    通過學徒入門的最出名的職業就是電工和水管工了，但是，很多工作都可以從一個學徒開始，比如從會記到污水處理廠廠長等。美國勞工部在調查了上百個職員后，制定了學徒計劃，一個代言人說該機構打算在一些發展中的職業領域增加學徒計劃，如醫療等包含了能效和守恒等綠色工作。

    Industries in each state decide whether they will participate in federal apprenticeship programs （see this state-by-state list）, and in some cases states create their own apprenticeship programs. You'll need to do a little sleuthing to see what's available in your area. Generally, the Department of Labor reports entry requirements are minimal -- must be 18 and a high school graduate, as well as physically able to do required tasks.

    每個州的行業都要根據自身狀況來決定是否參加聯邦的學徒計劃（詳情參照各州的清單）,也有的州創立了自己的學徒計劃。你需要在你的職業內做一些調查才能發現什么才是有價值的。一般來說，勞工部報告中的入門權限都是最低的----必需年滿18歲，高中畢業，可以完成要求的體力勞動。

    There are three advantages to participating in an official apprenticeship program, says Laurence Shatkin, co-author of "200 Best Jobs Through Apprenticeships." With a formal program, you'll complete a training course of a required length, and potential employers will know you've demonstrated a specific skill level. The rules of the apprenticeship will protect you from being exploited on the job, as they define the wages you should be paid. And finally, you'll make valuable industry contacts.

    Laurence Shatkin聲稱，參加官方的學徒計劃有三個好處。參加了官方的學徒計劃，你可以完整的學習公司所要求的培訓課程，并且向你的未來上司證明了你可以勝任某一特別的職能。學徒的規則將保護你免受剝削，因為他們明確規定了工作的報酬。最后，通過參加學徒計劃，你可以建立有價值的業界聯系。

    "Often, you'll have worked at more than one job site, so people in the industry get to know you," he says. "When you're done, you can tap into your network for referrals."

    他說："一般情況下，如果你在多個場所工作，就會有更多的人認識你，當你失業的時候，你可以利用你的關系網重新找到工作。"

    The following list of careers you can get into through apprenticeship displays the great variety of choices available:

    以下列舉了一些你可以從學徒入門的職業，這份清單顯示了這樣的職業選擇頗多：

    1. Fashion designer. The competition is intense, but if you've got an eye for style you may be able to convince a pro to take you on. Once you've completed your apprenticeship, you can strike out on your own. About one-quarter of designers are self-employed, the DOL reports. $64,161 per year

    時裝設計師。該行業的競爭是激烈的，但是如果你對造型有一定的了解，你就可以說服別人帶你入門。一旦你完成了學徒課程，你就可以自我創業了。有四分之一的設計師是自主創業的，根據DOL的報告，他們的年收入是$64,161

    2. Industrial production manager. If your area has a strong manufacturing base and you have some assembly-line experience, an apprenticeship could help you move up to a supervisory role, Shatkin says. $63,497 per year

    工廠生產部經理。Shatkin說，如果你會走位有很強的生產基地，而你正好有一些生產線組裝經驗，從學徒開始可以讓你晉升到管理層，年薪：$63,497

    3. Air traffic controller. If you live near an airport, this is a great career to enter now. A generation of controllers hired during the 1970s is nearing retirement, so future hiring prospects are bright. $61,956 per year

    航空管理員。如果你住在機場附近，那么就有一個偉大的職業在等著你了。20世紀70年代就職的航空管理員幾乎都到了退休年齡，所以，該工作的職業就業前景將一片光明。年薪：$61,956

    4. Firefighting manager/supervisor. This is a good option for those who've been first-responders of some kind in the past, even as volunteers, Shatkin says. No matter what happens with the economy, firehouses will still need someone to organize the crews. $53,466 per year

    消防經理/主管。Shatkin說，這份職業對于那些有過相關經驗的人，哪怕是曾當過志愿者的人來說都是一個很好的選擇。不管經濟形勢如何，消防員永遠都需要有人來組織管理成員。年薪：$53,466

    5. Power plant operator. There are power plants of all types, all across the country, including an increasing number of wind farms, Shatkin notes. The Department of Labor reports that most operators learn on the job. $51,1991 per year

    發電廠老板。Shatkin提醒道，現在各種類型的發電廠遍布全國，也包括了風力發電廠。勞工部報告說大部分員工都可以從這份工作中學到工作技巧。年薪：$51,1991

    6. Building code inspector. Many in this role are employed by governments, which are required to inspect buildings to comply with a range of laws regarding structures. $49,356 per year

    建筑規范督察。很多該職位的任職者是隸屬于政府的，他們的職責是檢查建筑物是否和國家規定的建筑規范相符。年薪：$49,356

    7. Telecommunications equipment installer. There's only one way to learn how to set up a wireless network or lay fiber-optic

    cable -- follow somebody around who's doing it. Shatkin notes this career is expected to boom as the economy recovers. $48,772 per year

    電信設備安裝員。學習安裝無線網絡或光纖電纜的唯一途徑是跟著會的人做。Shatkin說，該行業有望隨著經濟的復蘇而繁榮起來。年薪：$48,772

    8. Ship's mate. Many get started in this career in the Navy, Shatkin says, but you can use an apprenticeship as an entry point as well. Mates, also sometimes called deck officers, direct routine vessel operations and coordinate crew activities. $48,401 per year

    航海助手。很多海航助手是從海軍開始做起的，Shatkin說，但是你也可以從學徒開始。航海助理，也就是航海員，其職務是直接管理航海的日常事務以及協調全員的活動。年薪：$48,401

    9. Paralegal. Though most paralegals take a two-year college course, you can find apprenticeship opportunities, Shatkin says. The DOL forecasts rapid growth in demand for this role. $46,628 per year

    律師專職助手。雖然大部分律師助理都會參加兩年的大學課程，但是你也可以找到當學徒的機會。DOL預測，該行業的需求將會飛速增加。年薪：$46,628

    10. Funeral director. Until someone discovers the fountain of youth, this job isn't going away. Some directors take college courses to become morticians as well, Shatkin notes, but you can learn to arrange funerals on the job. $46,161 per year

    禮儀師。除非有人發明了長生不老藥，否則該行業永遠不會失業。也有一些主管級職員為從事殯儀事業而參加大學課程，但是你也可以在工作中學到該如何去安排葬禮。年薪：$46,161

    Business reporter Carol Tice contributes to several national and regional business publications.

    其中部分國家和地區商務報告由工商記者卡羅爾泰斯提供。

    Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for full-time workers with 5-8 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.

    來源：所有的薪資數據來自PayScale.com.列出的薪資都是一個中等的有5到8年工齡的全職員工的平均年薪，包括了全部的福利，獎金以及分紅。