How can I translate the French expression "travailler en alternance" to English? [closed]

Though cultures don't always match perfectly well (and words don't), it turns out that the match is most likely (in American English):

travailler en alternance - 'has an internship' or 'has a co-op position'

In French it seems to be literally 'to work in alternation' (presumably alternating between work for a few months and study for a few months, as opposed to working and studying in the same day or week). For example,

"What are you doing this summer?"

"I got a co-op position (or "I have an internship...") at Raytheon but it lasts through fall semester, so I'll be back at school next spring."

'Co-op' is much more informal; 'internship' is how you'd refer to it on a CV or resume or cover letter.

In American higher education/work culture, it is often the case that a student will work for a company over the summer or take a semester off in their field of study, either for a practical university credit or for pay (it's real world practical experience good for your resume, often considered a 'foot in the door' for later permanent employment) once you graduate.

The word 'co-op', very familiar in engineering situations, comes from cooperative education which frankly is a mouthful that I had never known until I just looked for it. It's always been 'co-op' to me. 'Internship' is the more common term outside of engineering and is a little looser, it may not be so closely connected with your field of study. An "internship" is also the term used for when you have graduated and get a deliberately temporary position (and are no longer going back to school). There may be a hope that it'll turn into something permanent, but it is definitely considered temporary.

One might also call the corresponding situation a

temporary position

as opposed to a permanent position, but those terms apply to a much much wider set of situations than just the student getting a little bit of work experience in their field.

Something that might be parallel to the French meaning of the phrase is:

work-study program

which means that you're working and studying at the same time usually for financial reasons (the American system is to pay for the university education), and 'work-study' is usually a program officially through a university where they place you in jobs around campus. But this situation might be a bit foreign. Sure one might work during one's undergraduate university education but not as part of financial aid.

Study Part Time or Part Time Study

In England this is quite common, many jobs you work 4 days a week, go to college 1 day to learn the theory of the job you are doing, or even do a degree in an unrelated subject.

There is also an Apprenticeship this has traditionally been for trades people, so plumbers, builders, gardeners etc. But the govt. has expanded it into all sorts of jobs.