Upon graduation from college each year, dozens of promising, minority young adults choose to live and work in cities other than their native Memphis. The potential leadership loss is staggering to our community. Together, through The Memphis Challenge we can bring these bright, young scholars home to live and work in our city.
In addition to helping these students return to Memphis, businesses also receive prepared, conscientious and dedicated interns – interns who can pitch in on special projects and work diligently to meet an organization’s objectives. Memphis Challenge students are the best of the best – they have to be in order to become a part of the program.
In return, companies find a cost-effective recruitment program for highly qualified and motivated students. They have the opportunity to meet community service goals and improve diversity, and they receive the benefit of an objective approach and fresh insight from the student intern.
The ultimate goal of The Memphis Challenge is achieved when a sponsoring business hires the intern immediately after graduation.
“In addition to being socially responsible, participation in The Memphis Challenge makes sound business sense for now and especially in the future.” – Frederick W. Smith, FedEx
Companies Companies that currently sponsoring student interns or have been active supporters in the past:
AutoZone
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Bridges
Buckeye Technologies
Burch, Porter & Johnson
Center City Commission
Coca-Cola Enterprises
Cummins Powercare
Exchange Club Family Center
FedEx
First Tennessee
Hyde Family Foundations
International Paper
KM Logistics
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering
Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce
Memphis Business Journal
Memphis Family Shelter
Memphis Family Shelter
Memphis Flyer
Memphis Redbirds
Memphis Shelby Crime Commission
Mpact Memphis
National Bank of Commerce
National Civil Rights Museum
National Institute for Law and Equity
NIA Psychological Health Consultants, Inc.
Office of the District Attorney
Ronald McDonald House
Russell Montgomery & Associates
Sedgwick CMS
Shelby County Chancery Court
Shelby County Property Assessor’s Office
Southern Avenue Children's Care and Development Center, Inc.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Time Warner Communications
University of Memphis School of Law
University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Williams Refinery
Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis
Youth Villages
Process Interested businesses need only let The Memphis Challenge staff know there are positions available. Resumes of qualified students will be forwarded to business, and interviews will be scheduled during a student’s spring break or the beginning of summer vacation.
Once a student is selected for a position, The Memphis Challenge staff will negotiate the student’s stipend and start and end dates. Most summer internships are full-time positions and last approximately eight weeks.
Supervisor comments
“The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis benefited from the skills and expertise of a bright and determined young lady. She played a vital role in volunteer coordination for a special event. We learned from her work experience and educational support.”
— Ruby Bright, Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis
“From time started to time assignment was complete, the intern improved everyday. An outstanding intern who will be successful in whatever career he pursues.”
— Larry Rutledge, Package Design and Development, FedEx
“The intern was on a team with two other interns. He worked well in a team as well as independently.”
— Anna Gurno, Business Products and Delivery, First Tennessee Bank
Intern comments
“The internship exceeded my expectations because the experience allowed me to work in a lab and learn things that I previously did not know.”
– University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center intern
“I felt extremely lucky to be in a position where my input was taken very seriously.”
– Methodist University Hospital intern
“My mentor was very attentive and thorough, always trying to be sure that my skills were fully utilized. I learned something with every assignment.”
– AutoZone intern
“The internship gave me clarification that there are many things I can do with a degree in computer science, and provided challenges that I believe helped me mature professionally and emotionally.”
– FedEx intern
“I received information that was not “cookie cutter” or standard. The psychologist I worked with gave me insight from her personal experiences.”
– Exchange Club Family Center intern
“I assumed that I would be running errands in a law firm. Instead I was able to actively participate in various projects. I learned so much from my colleagues.”
