Top 10 Tech Apprenticeships, Internships and Entry-Level Jobs in Memphis, TN in 2026

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• FedEx Technology Apprentice Program
• AutoZone IT Apprenticeship / Internship
• St. Jude Information Services Internship
• Year Up Memphis
• Per Scholas Memphis
• Cook Systems FastTrack
• Tech901 IT Professional Tracks
• First Horizon Bank IT Internship
• University of Memphis IT Apprenticeship Program
• Startup Pathway
• Navigating Your Choice
• Frequently Asked Questions

FedEx Technology Apprentice Program

This program represents the deep, steady current of Memphis's corporate tech ecosystem. As the anchor of the global logistics hub, FedEx provides one of the most structured and high-impact apprenticeship pathways, directly fueling the city's 19,000 new jobs projection.

The "earn-while-you-learn" model begins with a 6-8 week initial training phase for Junior Apprentices, who earn approximately $25.53 per hour. Apprentices dive into the real-world IT engineering, cloud systems, and data analytics that keep the world's supply chain moving, guided by direct mentorship from assigned hiring managers.

The destination is a clear, multi-year progression into full-time roles. Successful apprentices transition into positions where, according to salary data from Glassdoor, FedEx IT professionals in Memphis command an average salary of $105,256. It’s the definitive channel for building a stable, high-value career at the intersection of technology and global commerce.

How to Catch This Current: Applications for summer roles typically open in late 2025. Be ready to showcase problem-solving skills related to scale and efficiency on the FedEx Careers page.

AutoZone IT Apprenticeship / Internship

AutoZone’s summer internship represents the vital retail-tech pipeline within Memphis's corporate landscape. This premier 10-week program, running from June to August, serves as a launchpad for tech talent focused on UX design, data science, and software engineering using stacks like Drupal, PHP, and Angular.

The program offers competitive stipends and provides relocation support for non-local students, removing a significant barrier to entry. Beyond technical work, AutoZone invests in holistic professional development, including formal mentorship and public speaking training through partnerships like Toastmasters, which sets their pathway apart by building essential soft skills.

The bridge from intern to full-time employee is well-established, with return offers being common for high performers. It’s a direct channel into the thriving tech operations that support a Fortune 500 retail leader, where, as noted on Glassdoor, the interview process is geared toward identifying candidates who fit both the technical needs and company culture.

How to Catch This Current: Applications for summer roles peak in Q1. Watch the AutoZone Careers student portal and highlight projects that demonstrate user-centric design or data-driven decision-making.

St. Jude Information Services Internship

For tech professionals seeking a career where code has a human heartbeat, the St. Jude Information Services Internship is an unparalleled 10-week summer current. Interns engage with technology that directly impacts the fight against childhood cancer, from high-performance computing for genomic research to mobile app development for patient care and critical information security.

This highly structured program provides exceptional visibility, culminating in a capstone presentation to senior IT leadership. The work is specialized and valued; research technologists at St. Jude command salaries between $49,000 and $69,000 per year, as reported by Glassdoor salary data. You're not just building tools; you're contributing to a mission that defines Memphis's global humanitarian footprint.

How to Catch This Current: Applications for the summer cohort, which typically runs from June 1 to August 7, open in late fall or early winter of the preceding year. Explore the specific pathways and apply through the official St. Jude Information Services Internship Program page, demonstrating both technical acumen and a passion for the mission.

Year Up Memphis

Year Up Memphis is the quintessential bridge-building current in the city's tech ecosystem. This rigorous national program, tailored for young adults aged 18-26 without a four-year degree, creates a vital conduit between untapped local talent and corporate tech demand.

The one-year model combines six months of professional and technical training in fields like IT Support and Data Analytics with a six-month corporate internship. Participants receive educational stipends, approximately $600 per month during training and $900 per month during the internship, making it a viable, earn-while-you-learn option. The outcomes are powerful, with Year Up reporting that 72% of graduates secure job placement or continue their education within four months, at an average starting salary of $53,000.

In a city rich with HBCUs like LeMoyne-Owen College, this program acts as a critical on-ramp. It transforms both hard and soft skills, directly contributing to filling the region's projected 19,000 new jobs by preparing a diverse, skilled workforce ready to contribute from day one.

How to Catch This Current: With multiple cohorts per year and deadlines often in May or September, you can explore the Job Training and Placement pathways to begin the application process for this transformative commitment.

Per Scholas Memphis

In the fast-moving currents of Memphis's tech training landscape, Per Scholas operates as a no-cost, high-velocity channel. It transforms the talent pipeline with intensive, tuition-free 12-15 week courses in high-demand fields like Cybersecurity, AWS Cloud, and other AI-enabled technologies.

The model is built for immediate impact, equipping students with industry-recognized CompTIA certifications. Its effectiveness is proven: according to their 2024 Annual Report, Per Scholas achieves an 82% job placement rate within 12 months for graduates, who report an average annual salary of $54,606 (over $23 per hour). This success stems from direct employer partnerships, tailoring curriculum to the precise hiring needs of major companies like Bank of America.

For career-changers or those bypassing traditional college, this is one of the fastest and most reliable channels into a tech career. The program's "skills-first" approach directly feeds the 19,000 new jobs projected for the region, offering a streamlined path to economic mobility.

How to Catch This Current: With rolling admissions for various tracks, you can apply year-round. Visit the Per Scholas website to explore courses, but be prepared for a bootcamp-like pace focused unequivocally on immediate job readiness.

Cook Systems FastTrack

Cook Systems FastTrack offers a uniquely compelling proposition: a guaranteed employment current. This intensive program provides free, 8-12 week training in high-demand enterprise technologies like Java and Full-Stack Development, specifically Spring Boot, followed by a job offer upon successful completion.

It's a direct, "skills-first" pipeline designed for immediate workforce entry. The guarantee is a testament to both the quality of the training and the strength of Cook Systems' employer network in the region. Graduates typically secure starting salaries between $53,000 and $57,000, providing a swift launch into a sustainable tech career. In competitive markets, such a guarantee is rare; in Memphis, it highlights the concrete local demand for specific developer skills.

This channel is ideal for those who have built foundational knowledge and are ready to commit to an accelerated, results-driven plunge. It represents a clear-cut route to becoming immediately valuable to client companies, effectively bridging the final gap between training and employment.

How to Catch This Current: Cohorts roll year-round. Your application and performance in the screening process are paramount, as the employment guarantee is contingent on mastering the material. Visit Cook Systems FastTrack for detailed information and to begin the application journey.

Tech901 IT Professional Tracks

Tech901 represents the community-engineered current in Memphis’s tech confluence - a homegrown, pragmatic channel built by and for the city. It provides accessible, low-cost vocational training with courses ranging from $100 to $250, leading directly to certifications in IT Foundations, Networking, and Security.

The program is praised for its intensely practical focus and strong local career services, earning a high rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from graduates. This practical approach yields tangible results, with graduates placed into roles offering starting salaries of $40,000 to $60,000. Its impact extends beyond individual careers; as The Commercial Appeal reported, Tech901 has been instrumental in filling thousands of local tech roles and has contributed an estimated $40 million to the local economy.

"Failure isn't the end - it's part of the process." - Lawrence Dennis, former retail worker turned Tech901 Lead Instructor

This ethos encapsulates the program's supportive, resilient nature. It’s the quintessential Memphis pathway: community-built, directly tied to employer demand, and designed to elevate local talent into the region's growing tech infrastructure.

How to Catch This Current: Tech901 runs Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts. For updates and open house events to connect with instructors and alumni, follow Tech901 on Facebook.

First Horizon Bank IT Internship

For those drawn to the stability and structure of financial technology, the First Horizon Bank IT Internship is a steady tributary within Memphis's tech currents. This classic 10-week summer program offers exposure to the core technology of regional banking, including networking (DNS/DHCP), cloud technologies, and software lifecycle management.

Interns earn approximately $20.00 per hour, gaining hands-on experience in a professional FinTech environment. The program is designed as a testing ground, with a solid path to conversion; Glassdoor reviews highlight a positive interview experience and note that interns frequently move into entry-level roles with the bank, which can range from $42,000 to $72,000 per year.

It represents the corporate banking channel, ideal for those interested in the growing FinTech sector but who value the mentorship and clear career progression of an established regional institution. It’s a chance to build foundational skills within the robust framework of a leading financial employer.

How to Catch This Current: Applications for the summer internship typically open in late 2025. Monitor general job boards like ZipRecruiter and the First Horizon careers page for the official posting when it goes live.

University of Memphis IT Apprenticeship Program

This program is the formalization of the deep, strategic confluence between Memphis's academic institutions and its corporate powerhouses. The University of Memphis operates a paid IT Apprenticeship Program, typically a 14-week internship often funded by federal grants, that places students directly into real-world tech environments.

It represents the academic-industry channel at its most effective. Students, particularly from the Herff College of Engineering, apply practical IT skills with mentorship structured through key partnerships like the Greater Memphis IT Council. This isn't a generic internship; it's a curated pipeline designed to feed talent directly into the city's economic engine.

The outcome is a direct line into entry-level roles at local giants like FedEx, AutoZone, and International Paper. It leverages Memphis's distinctive advantage as a city where university deans and corporate CIOs collaborate closely, ensuring the curriculum and experience are precisely aligned with the 19,000 new jobs being created. This channel turns academic theory into immediate professional contribution.

How to Catch This Current: The program is aligned with academic semesters. University of Memphis students should connect early with the Herff College's career exploration resources to navigate the application process and secure a spot in this strategic pipeline.

Startup Pathway

For those energized by agility and direct impact, the startup pathway is the swift, dynamic current in Memphis's tech confluence. Fueled by organizations like Epicenter Memphis, this ecosystem offers entry-level roles and 3-6 month fellowships at local health-tech, logistics-tech, and agri-tech startups.

Compensation for junior roles here can range from $50,000 to $75,000. The experience is characterized by unparalleled exposure to agile development, product growth, and cross-functional collaboration in a small-team environment. Mentorship is often highly personalized, and success can lead to rapid career advancement as you help shape a company's trajectory directly.

This high-risk, high-reward channel offers an experience akin to startups in larger tech hubs, but with the distinct Memphis advantage of a lower cost of living and no state income tax. It's for the self-starter who thrives on variety, ownership, and seeing their work directly influence a company's direction from day one.

How to Catch This Current: The timeline is flexible. Regularly network at local “Startup Chowdown” or pitch events and monitor job boards hosted by ecosystem builders. Your personal portfolio projects and demonstrable entrepreneurial spirit will be your most critical application materials.

Navigating Your Choice

With distinct currents now mapped, the final step is choosing the vessel that matches your journey. Your decision between an apprenticeship, internship, or immediate entry-level role defines your pace, learning style, and initial trajectory in Memphis's expanding tech ecosystem.

Your career journey begins by understanding the force of each current - the deep corporate logistics channel, the bridging non-profit training, or the agile startup stream - and committing with intention to the channel that leads to your horizon. This strategic choice is how you navigate the powerful confluence of 19,000 new opportunities in Memphis.

Frequently Asked Questions