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.

如果你想换份工作但是又不想处于无业状态，你可以通过一个学徒计划在工作中学习。虽然一开始，大部分学徒的工资都是很低的，但在他们的培训期满了以后，工资会有所增加。

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.

通过学徒入门的最出名的职业就是电工和水管工了，但是，很多工作都可以从一个学徒开始，比如从会记到污水处理厂厂长等。美国劳工部在调查了上百个职员后，制定了学徒计划，一个代言人说该机构打算在一些发展中的职业领域增加学徒计划，如医疗等包含了能效和守恒等绿色工作。

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.

每个州的行业都要根据自身状况来决定是否参加联邦的学徒计划（详情参照各州的清单）,也有的州创立了自己的学徒计划。你需要在你的职业内做一些调查才能发现什么才是有价值的。一般来说，劳工部报告中的入门权限都是最低的----必需年满18岁，高中毕业，可以完成要求的体力劳动。

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声称，参加官方的学徒计划有三个好处。参加了官方的学徒计划，你可以完整的学习公司所要求的培训课程，并且向你的未来上司证明了你可以胜任某一特别的职能。学徒的规则将保护你免受剥削，因为他们明确规定了工作的报酬。最后，通过参加学徒计划，你可以建立有价值的业界联系。

"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."

他说："一般情况下，如果你在多个场所工作，就会有更多的人认识你，当你失业的时候，你可以利用你的关系网重新找到工作。"

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

以下列举了一些你可以从学徒入门的职业，这份清单显示了这样的职业选择颇多：

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

时装设计师。该行业的竞争是激烈的，但是如果你对造型有一定的了解，你就可以说服别人带你入门。一旦你完成了学徒课程，你就可以自我创业了。有四分之一的设计师是自主创业的，根据DOL的报告，他们的年收入是$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

工厂生产部经理。Shatkin说，如果你会走位有很强的生产基地，而你正好有一些生产线组装经验，从学徒开始可以让你晋升到管理层，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

航空管理员。如果你住在机场附近，那么就有一个伟大的职业在等着你了。20世纪70年代就职的航空管理员几乎都到了退休年龄，所以，该工作的职业就业前景将一片光明。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

消防经理/主管。Shatkin说，这份职业对于那些有过相关经验的人，哪怕是曾当过志愿者的人来说都是一个很好的选择。不管经济形势如何，消防员永远都需要有人来组织管理成员。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

发电厂老板。Shatkin提醒道，现在各种类型的发电厂遍布全国，也包括了风力发电厂。劳工部报告说大部分员工都可以从这份工作中学到工作技巧。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

建筑规范督察。很多该职位的任职者是隶属于政府的，他们的职责是检查建筑物是否和国家规定的建筑规范相符。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

电信设备安装员。学习安装无线网络或光纤电缆的唯一途径是跟着会的人做。Shatkin说，该行业有望随着经济的复苏而繁荣起来。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。很多海航助手是从海军开始做起的，Shatkin说，但是你也可以从学徒开始。航海助理，也就是航海员，其职务是直接管理航海的日常事务以及协调全员的活动。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

律师专职助手。虽然大部分律师助理都会参加两年的大学课程，但是你也可以找到当学徒的机会。DOL预测，该行业的需求将会飞速增加。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

礼仪师。除非有人发明了长生不老药，否则该行业永远不会失业。也有一些主管级职员为从事殡仪事业而参加大学课程，但是你也可以在工作中学到该如何去安排葬礼。年薪：$46,161

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

其中部分国家和地区商务报告由工商记者卡罗尔泰斯提供。

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.

来源：所有的薪资数据来自PayScale.com.列出的薪资都是一个中等的有5到8年工龄的全职员工的平均年薪，包括了全部的福利，奖金以及分红。