Graduate Spotlight: Leah Sloan

From L to R: Jubei Brown-Weaver, Leah Sloan, Lateefah Durant, Frankie Mansaray

At CityWorks DC, we help young people in DC launch their careers with real-world experience that multiples their future options while strengthening our local workforce. For Leah Sloan, who completed her three-year CareerWise DC apprenticeship at Freddie Mac in July, the question became not which career pathway to choose after high school graduation, but how to balance two full-time pathways - working and earning a Bachelor’s degree - at the same time. 

As a staff accountant, Leah built a background in accounts payable, customer support, and data analytics and earned her high school diploma from KIPP DC College Prep. By the end of her apprenticeship, she had worked over 2,700 hours, earned over $48,000, gained valuable skills, and built a professional network that she’ll rely on throughout her career. Upon high school graduation, Leah continued her apprenticeship while also enrolling full-time at Bowie State University in Financial Banking and Communications. Upon completing her apprenticeship, she was recruited for a full-time position and hired as a Freddie Mac HR Communications Specialist, earning in a salary range of $62,000 to $82,000 per year with overtime. She also remains a full-time student at Bowie State, where she plans to graduate early. 

We recently caught up with Leah to hear about her apprenticeship journey and how it has shaped her personal and professional goals. Leah’s story captures the power of long-term, paid apprenticeships, provides insight into the experience of an apprentice who also wants to pursue a college degree, and offers some perspective on how degrees and apprenticeships could be more effectively integrated in the future.  

Finding the Right Path(s)

When Leah began her journey with CareerWise DC, she was a high school senior and exploring her interests in finance at KIPP DC College Preparatory Academy Public Charter School. Her early experiences ignited a passion for business, but Leah still needed to determine her ideal profession. “I felt that real-world experience would help me find my career direction,” she reflected.

When Leah entered the CareerWise DC apprenticeship program, she was ready to dig deeper into the world of finance. Initially joining the Enterprise Supply Chain team at Freddie Mac, Leah took on data-driven projects, supporting supply chain tasks and gaining foundational business knowledge. However, as she immersed herself in her work, she discovered a new calling: a passion for connecting with others through communication and collaboration.

Hands-On Learning in HR Communications

A shift into Freddie Mac’s HR Communications team presented Leah with an exciting new opportunity to focus on internal communication, event planning, and employee engagement. Apprenticeships like Leah’s are structured to give young professionals significant responsibility and real-world tasks, offering much more than the shorter, observational experience that internships provide. In her new role, Leah managed logistics for town hall meetings, coordinated newsletters, and created ways for employees to interact and engage with each other. 

“Being able to contribute to the internal culture at Freddie Mac was empowering,” Leah explained. “I enjoyed seeing how my work helped people feel connected, especially through town hall meetings and interactive activities.” The ongoing, project-based nature of her apprenticeship meant that Leah had the time and support to master essential skills like project management, communication, and self-advocacy.

Apprentices often have opportunities to move between departments and functions, allowing them to learn directly within different business areas. This adaptability is one of the critical benefits of an apprenticeship program, providing young professionals with an environment where they can explore their interests, gain clarity on their career goals, and build valuable industry connections.

Building Confidence and Skills Beyond the Classroom

Throughout her apprenticeship, Leah found herself growing both professionally and personally. She developed the confidence to advocate for her needs and interests and learned to take ownership of her work. “It wasn’t just about completing projects; it was about finding my voice in the corporate world,” Leah shared. “I realized that communication was at the heart of everything, from speaking up for myself to managing team projects and even reaching out to mentors.” By working on substantive projects and receiving regular feedback from supervisors, Leah also strengthened her project management skills.

One of the most distinct advantages of a CareerWise DC apprenticeship is the long-term structure, which allows students to gain in-depth skills and immerse themselves in their roles fully. Unlike internships, which often last only a few months, Leah’s multi-year apprenticeship enabled her to understand workplace dynamics, build meaningful relationships, and develop skills that went beyond the classroom.

Looking Forward: Leah’s Path(s) Post Apprenticeship

Now nearing the completion of her bachelor’s degree, Leah has gained clarity on her future goals. She is pursuing studies at Bowie State that are aligned to her passion for community engagement and her growing expertise in corporate communication. “Working in HR helped me realize how much I enjoy connecting with people and making a difference,” Leah reflected. “I want to use the skills I’ve developed to support other young people on similar paths.” Leah’s journey exemplifies the unique strengths of apprenticeships: providing students with hands-on experience, access to professional networks, and the opportunity to connect their career with their passions. Not surprisingly, Leah also volunteers with local nonprofits, where she helps underserved students explore career options through apprenticeships and workforce development programs.

Choosing College and Career Simultaneously 

Leah’s dual pursuit of college and career is no happy accident and no easy feat. By the time Leah was completing her apprenticeship at Freddie Mac, the world of work had become a priority for Leah. She saw how much she was learning in the workplace and how the opportunities for her were opening up: “I wanted the [college] experience, but I wanted the learning experience of my apprenticeship more.”  It took considerable deliberation and planning with her family to identify a strong higher education option that could accommodate her commitment to work and her family’s commitment to higher education. She selected an HBCU that is close to her employer, can support her work schedule, and has been a partner of Freddie Macs’ in the past. 

Leah’s first two years of college have confirmed what she suspected – some of the coursework deepens and/or tackles new areas of learning, but, in her area of focus, she has often already acquired the knowledge and skills introduced in her courses on the job. Leah is leveraging this overlap of coursework and her apprenticeship experience by mentoring other students who don’t have her practical experience.

She is also keenly aware, however, that if the current system of college and work were better connected - more specifically, if her on-the-job learning were formally recognized by higher education and integrated into her apprenticeship - she would be growing and learning even faster and in a more cost-effective way.

Apprenticeships Launch Careers: CityWorks DC’s Commitment to Career-Connected Learning

Leah’s experience demonstrates how CareerWise DC apprenticeships open doors to various career paths, equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and real-world knowledge they need to thrive. It also shows that the choice between college and career can be a false one — even as our systems for work and learning catch up with the skills and aspirations of our young people.

We’re proud to support young professionals like Leah, who are shaping the future workforce with purpose and passion. To learn more about how CityWorks DC can help you build a career foundation through hands-on learning, visit cityworksdc.org/programs.