Top 10 Tech Apprenticeships, Internships and Entry-Level Jobs in McKinney, Texas in 2026

Table of Contents

• Your Apron into Tech
• AT&T Technology Development Program
• Texas Instruments Career Accelerator Program
• Year Up United
• Texas Instruments Student Internship Program
• Per Scholas Dallas
• AT&T B2B Sales Development Program
• Raytheon Technologies Manufacturing Apprenticeship
• McKinney EDC & Local Startup Internships
• Raytheon Technologies Internship
• AT&T B2B Sales Development Internship
• Choosing Your Kitchen
• Your 2026 Action Plan
• Frequently Asked Questions

AT&T Technology Development Program

Considered the premier paid apprenticeship in the region, the AT&T Technology Development Program (TDP) in Dallas is the equivalent of a master chef taking you under their wing. This 24-to-36-month, rotation-based program is designed to cultivate early-career tech leaders, offering a full salary and benefits from day one while you learn.

Participants gain hands-on experience through rotations in critical areas like software engineering, data analytics, and network engineering. The financial incentive is significant, with an estimated average compensation of $117,434 per year, a figure supported by employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor that give the program a strong 3.7/5 stars for compensation satisfaction. The investment in such talent is a smart one; the U.S. Department of Labor reports that for every dollar invested in an apprenticeship, employers see a $1.44 return.

For McKinney residents, it’s a short commute to a global telecommunications giant, providing unmatched stability and a direct pipeline into the heart of DFW’s tech corridor. The program features high-quality executive exposure, acting as a powerful career accelerator. Applications for 2026 start dates will likely open in late 2025, so preparing a project portfolio now is essential for securing your spot in this elite kitchen.

Texas Instruments Career Accelerator Program

For new college graduates in engineering and computer science, the Texas Instruments Career Accelerator Program (CAP) in nearby Richardson is the elite launchpad into the semiconductor industry. This program represents the coveted full-time offer for top performers from TI's prestigious internship pipeline, providing a structured transition from academia to high-impact engineering.

CAP graduates receive deep technical training in specialized fields like embedded systems, software engineering, or control systems, complemented by professional-skills workshops. Salaries are highly competitive, with engineering roles often starting at $80,000 or more. Participants are positioned at the epicenter of North Texas's tech transformation, directly benefiting from TI's historic $60 billion investment in local semiconductor manufacturing that is reshaping the regional economy.

As detailed on the Texas Instruments careers page, this is a highly selective pathway. Success requires showcasing relevant academic projects, internship experience, and a genuine passion for hardware and software integration. The program recruits year-round, but applying during your senior year of college is crucial for securing this direct entry into one of the world's most important tech kitchens.

Year Up United

Not every aspiring tech professional follows the traditional university path, and Year Up United in Dallas/Fort Worth is the transformative bridge for those ready to work. This intensive, one-year earn-while-you-learn program is specifically designed for young adults aged 18-29, offering a structured, supportive on-ramp into the industry without a four-year degree.

The program splits its time between six months of professional and technical training and six months of a corporate internship with partner companies across the DFW metroplex. Participants earn stipends to support themselves throughout, receiving approximately $600 per month during training and $900 per month during their internship. As highlighted by North Texas Giving Day, the outcomes are powerful: 80% of North Texas graduates are employed or enrolled in further education within four months of completing the program.

For McKinney residents facing barriers to entry, Year Up provides more than just skills - it delivers results. Graduates secure roles with an average starting salary of $53,000 per year, proving that a dedicated work ethic and hands-on training can open doors to sustainable careers. This program is the essential community kitchen, ensuring the local tech boom benefits a wider, more diverse pool of talent.

Texas Instruments Student Internship Program

A summer internship at Texas Instruments is more than a line on your resume - it's the primary audition for a permanent spot in their elite kitchen. This highly structured 10-12 week program embeds students in engineering teams at TI's Dallas headquarters, where they contribute to real product development, from analog design to cutting-edge software applications.

Interns earn competitive compensation, with project-based roles averaging around $25 per hour. The experience is designed to be immersive and substantive, serving as the main pipeline into the full-time Career Accelerator Program (CAP). As outlined on the Texas Instruments student careers page, the recruitment cycle is aggressive and strategic, with applications for summer 2026 roles opening as early as fall 2025.

Success in securing this coveted position requires strong academic standing and the demonstrated ability to apply theoretical knowledge. Showcasing practical problem-solving skills through detailed class projects or personal tech initiatives is essential. For any student in McKinney aiming for a career in semiconductors or hardware engineering, this internship is the essential, hands-on trial run that can define your professional future.

Per Scholas Dallas

Before you step into a professional kitchen, you need a place to master the fundamental techniques. For career changers or beginners in McKinney facing financial constraints, Per Scholas Dallas is that essential prep kitchen. This national nonprofit provides completely free, full-time technical training in high-demand fields, removing cost as a barrier to entry.

The 12-15 week courses are intensive and focused, resulting in industry-recognized certifications like CompTIA Security+ for their Cybersecurity track or credentials for AWS Cloud. This model is designed for efficiency, helping students build employable, foundational skills quickly and without accruing debt. The training acts as a direct on-ramp to the thriving North Texas tech ecosystem.

The outcomes validate the approach. Graduates in the Dallas-Fort Worth area secure initial roles with an average starting salary of $51,000 per year. For those in McKinney looking to pivot into tech but unsure where to start, Per Scholas offers a proven, risk-free recipe: acquire in-demand certifications, then step confidently into an entry-level role at one of the many companies fueling the local boom.

AT&T B2B Sales Development Program

Not every role in a tech giant's kitchen requires a coding certification; some stations focus on translating technical solutions into business value. AT&T's B2B Sales Development Program is a full-time, entry-level pathway for new graduates interested in the lucrative intersection of sales and technology, offering a structured on-ramp into a major corporation.

The program begins with a paid training period where participants master AT&T's enterprise product suite. The compensation structure is designed for growth: starting with an annualized base of $57,000 for the first two months, it transitions to a $48,300 base salary plus commission, with total on-target earnings around $65,300. As detailed on AT&T's B2B programs page, this path provides significant executive exposure and professional development.

This is a strategic entry point for those with strong communication skills and business acumen. It leverages the vast network of corporations headquartered in the DFW metro, from Plano to Dallas, providing a unique opportunity to develop client-facing expertise within a tech-adjacent powerhouse, all while building a career on a commission-accelerated track.

Raytheon Technologies Manufacturing Apprenticeship

In a world of virtual clouds and code, some tech careers are built with physical components and precision tools. Raytheon Technologies' Manufacturing Apprenticeship, launched in 2023 at their North Texas facilities, offers a tangible, three-year, earn-while-you-learn path into the critical field of microelectronics and advanced engineering.

This program combines on-the-job training in microelectronics assembly, engineering quality control, and troubleshooting with formal classroom instruction. Apprentices earn a wage throughout, gaining credentials in production labor. As reported by ExecutiveBiz, the initiative aims to train over 100 participants by 2028, directly addressing the skilled labor demand in defense manufacturing. While specific apprentice pay isn't listed, related full-time entry roles, such as Production Support Electrical Engineer, start around $57,200 per year according to local job data.

For individuals in McKinney interested in the hands-on, manufacturing side of technology - where hardware meets software - this apprenticeship is a stellar option. It places you at the forefront of the national push for semiconductor and microelectronics independence, offering a stable career building the very components that power modern innovation.

McKinney EDC & Local Startup Internships

While corporate giants anchor the region, McKinney's own homegrown tech scene is where the most agile, high-impact learning often happens. Fueled by the McKinney Economic Development Corporation's Innovation Fund, the city has become a magnet for startups, attracting over 15 tech companies in just over a year, including innovative firms like ContraForce and Alanna.ai.

Interning at these smaller, local companies offers a distinct experience: less bureaucracy and more immediate responsibility. You might find yourself contributing to full-stack development, training AI/ML models, or influencing product direction in a fast-paced, agile environment. It’s the perfect setting to wear multiple hats and see the direct impact of your work.

Compensation for these roles is competitive, typically ranging from $18 to $25 per hour. These opportunities are often advertised directly on company websites, LinkedIn, and through local networks like Collin College’s career center. To stand out in this competitive space, building a small portfolio project - such as a basic web app or a data analysis case study - can demonstrate practical initiative and skill far more effectively than a resume alone.

This is your chance to get in on the ground floor of McKinney's innovation boom, gaining versatile experience while contributing to the city's growing reputation as a North Texas tech hub.

Raytheon Technologies Internship

If interning at a McKinney startup is like working in a fast-paced food truck, an internship at Raytheon Technologies is akin to training in a Michelin-starred laboratory. The company offers a wide array of technical internships across software, systems, and hardware engineering at its North Texas campuses, providing deep immersion in defense and aerospace technology.

These project-based roles allow students to work on mission-critical systems, from advanced software platforms to complex hardware integration. The compensation reflects the specialized nature of the work, with interns earning an estimated $25.24 per hour, as indicated by salary data for project interns. Like other major defense contractors, a key practical requirement is often U.S. citizenship, as many roles require eligibility for security clearance.

Recruitment for these highly sought-after summer 2026 positions will begin in late 2025. This pathway is ideal for students with a strong interest in large-scale systems engineering, rigorous development processes, and technology with significant national impact. It represents a unique opportunity to contribute to some of the most advanced engineering challenges while building a career at the intersection of technology and national security.

AT&T B2B Sales Development Internship

The AT&T B2B Sales Development Internship is the perfect summer sprint to test your appetite for tech sales. This intensive 8-week program in Dallas serves as the direct feeder into the full-time B2B Sales Development Program, offering a blend of classroom instruction on enterprise solutions and real-world application.

Interns gain significant executive exposure and hands-on experience, earning a solid compensation of approximately $24.63 per hour for the short-term role. As detailed on AT&T's dedicated programs page, this is a competitive opportunity designed for outgoing, business-minded students who want to understand how technology solves complex corporate challenges.

Success in this internship can directly lead to an offer for the full-time program, making it a critical audition. To prepare, focus on honing your communication skills and developing a foundational understanding of business-to-business dynamics. The recruitment cycle for Summer 2026 will begin in early 2026, so prospective interns should be ready to demonstrate both interpersonal agility and a keen interest in the commercial side of technology.

Choosing Your Kitchen

Your starting point determines which kitchen door you should knock on first. Each type of pathway - apprenticeship, internship, or direct entry-level role - serves a distinct purpose in your career's recipe, and choosing correctly depends on your current skills and immediate goals.

Apprenticeships, like the AT&T Technology Development Program or Year Up, are designed for those who need to build core technical or professional skills from the ground up while earning a wage. These are longer-term commitments, often one to three years, but they provide the deepest foundational training and are backed by significant employer investment. As noted by the Association for Talent Development, these programs are powerful tools for closing skill gaps and creating sustainable career pathways.

Internships, such as those at Texas Instruments or Raytheon, are primarily for students currently enrolled in degree programs. These short-term, immersive experiences are the primary pipeline for elite entry-level jobs and offer a chance to apply academic learning in a professional setting. They are auditions for permanent roles.

Direct Entry-Level Roles, like the Texas Instruments CAP, are for those who have already acquired the necessary skills through a degree, bootcamp, or prior experience and are ready to contribute immediately. Your task is to honestly assess your ingredients - your current skill set, education, and experience - and match them to the kitchen that will help you grow them into a fulfilling career in North Texas's expansive tech ecosystem.

Your 2026 Action Plan

Success in North Texas's competitive tech landscape requires a strategic, timed approach. Your action plan for 2026 must begin now, with preparation tailored to your chosen pathway. The demand is real, but so is the competition; organization is your key advantage.

For Apprenticeships: Start preparing 9-12 months in advance. Applications for 2026 programs like AT&T TDP or Year Up will open in mid-to-late 2025. Use this lead time to build a tangible project portfolio - a GitHub repository with clean code, a data analysis case study, or a simple functional application. This demonstrates initiative and practical skill. If you need to build foundational skills efficiently, consider an affordable, focused program like the Back End, SQL and DevOps with Python bootcamp, which provides core competencies in just 16 weeks for $2,124.

For Summer 2026 Internships: Mark your calendar for Fall 2025. This is the critical recruitment window for elite programs at TI, Raytheon, and AT&T. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile by August 2025. Attend every university career fair and virtual company info session you can. Your goal is to be ready the moment applications go live.

For Entry-Level Jobs: If you plan to graduate in Spring 2026, begin your job search in Summer 2025. Leverage every connection, and meticulously tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight projects that mirror the specific job description. For career changers, bootcamp outcomes matter; programs like Nucamp's report a ~78% employment rate, showing focused training can effectively open doors.

The kitchen doors across DFW - from Plano's corporate towers to McKinney's innovative startups - are open. Your plan is the recipe. Execute it with focus, and you'll be ready to tie on your apron and contribute to the region's transformative growth.

Frequently Asked Questions