[jorgem]

No, no, no. Don't work for free. Apprentices don't work for free in any other industry. Why should you work for free?

Go out and get a job that trains you to be "production ready." You will get to to work on bigger projects, "code, refactor", and do "grunt work". Plus you will get paid.

Nothing wrong with seeking an apprenticeship. I just don't understand why you would think that "free" is a good idea.

[CoreSet]

Good advice, I know. It just feels doubly hard for me to get coding work now, because my day-job is in writing and not very technical. I suppose I envisioned it being paid eventually, when I got to the point where I was productive, but you're right: I have to value my work first before other people will, right?

[rubiquity]

This. All these companies running "apprenticeships" (nice marketing, bros) are no better than the jerk off corporations running internships without pay. If you want to work for free, do it for yourself and create some side projects, at least you will own those at the end of the day.