Discover how Freddie is building a business career through hands-on experience.
Freddie is building a career rooted in hands-on experience, leadership, and a commitment to growth — all without taking the traditional four-year college path. Shortly after graduating high school, he began exploring alternatives to college that would allow him to build technical and professional skills without taking on debt. That search led him to apprenticeship opportunities in Washington, D.C., where he found a pathway that aligned with both his career goals and his desire for financial independence. Today, Freddie is gaining experience in business operations, membership management, and large-scale event coordination while building a reputation as a dependable and driven young professional.
Before starting his apprenticeship, Freddie balanced summer jobs, internships, and nonprofit work supporting underrepresented communities through mutual aid initiatives. While he knew he wanted a career that combined technical skills with business, he wasn’t always sure what direction to take. His apprenticeship gave him clarity, confidence, and real-world experience that traditional classroom settings could not. Through on-the-job training, Freddie sharpened skills in financial management, public speaking, data analysis, webinar facilitation, and record keeping. One of his biggest milestones came when he was trusted to manage transactions and signups for a national apprenticeship summit with hundreds of attendees — the first large-scale project he had ever led.
Freddie believes apprenticeships prove that talent and potential are not defined by a degree. Entering the workforce at just 18 years old, he has already gained valuable experience, professional certifications, and a growing network that positions him for long-term success. He hopes more young people — especially those from low-income backgrounds — are introduced to apprenticeship opportunities earlier so they can see alternative routes to meaningful careers. His story reflects the power of STARs: people whose skills, determination, and lived experience open doors and create opportunities for themselves and their communities.
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