This article is the result of a three-year study of student interns, which investigated the experiences of newcomers in various work organizations. A learning narrative, it compares internships in two very different work settings: a furniture-making shop and an animal protection league. INTERNING, NON-SCHOOL EDUCATION.In the basement workroom of a custom furniture shop, Jacob, the master cabinetmaker, instructed Mike, one of his apprentices, to assemble two drawers for a chest after reminding him to tuck his long hair up under his hat. As Mike began to lay the pieces out on a workbench, Jacob said, "I suggest you do it on the floor," but Mike stayed at the bench. The apprentice started by putting several pieces together and trying to hold them steady as he balanced and aligned them. Like a house of cards, everything tumbled apart-twice. Jacob came around behind him to watch, and Mike said, "I've been trying to figure out how to clamp this so it will stay together.'' Jacob did two things at once: He turned the drawer so it rested on its bottom, saying, "Have everything ready to go; fit it together first"; and David Thornton Moore is the