Top 10 Tech Apprenticeships, Internships and Entry-Level Jobs in Lincoln, NE in 2026
By Irene Holden
Last Updated: March 12th 2026
Too Long; Didn't Read
For 2026, Hudl's Engineering & Product Internships and Nelnet's Pathways program are Lincoln's top tech opportunities, offering paid roles that often lead to full-time jobs. Hudl pays over $20 per hour with high return-offer rates for hands-on work, while Nelnet's rotational program provides diverse exposure at around $16 to $18 per hour, leveraging Lincoln's lower cost of living and growing tech scene anchored by major employers like these.
Every February, Nebraska growers face the same high-stakes puzzle: hundreds of seed varieties, one field, and a single season to get it right. For anyone looking to plant their career in Lincoln's fertile "Silicon Prairie," your first tech opportunity is no different. The choices - apprenticeships, internships, and entry-level jobs - each have distinct growth cycles and yields.
As we look to 2026, Lincoln's ecosystem is anchored by giants like Hudl and Nelnet, supported by strong university and state pipelines. The local tech soil is rich with companies seeking talent for roles projected to be among the fastest-growing, requiring higher "mental skills" and offering respected career paths. The key is matching your specific conditions - background, goals, timeline - to the program with the right yield.
Apprenticeships offer a paid, "earn-while-you-learn" path ideal for career changers; internships provide concentrated, short-term experience perfect for students; and entry-level jobs deliver immediate employment and on-the-job training. This choice defines your professional harvest. An entry-level public sector IT role, for instance, offers stability and a salary of $45,000 to $55,000 that stretches far with Lincoln's lower cost of living.
Smart matching, not generic prestige, is the strategy. This guide evaluates Lincoln's top pathways not just by name, but by their specific structure - pay, mentorship, project scope - and how they meet your individual starting point to nourish your growth in our unique tech prairie.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Lincoln's Tech Pathways
- Hudl Engineering & Product Internships
- Nelnet Pathways Internship Program
- Sandhills Global Software Development Internships
- UNL Nebraska Research Enterprise Apprenticeship
- Ignite Nebraska Tech Training
- Southeast Community College IT Certificates
- UNL Raikes School Design Studio
- Year Up
- Per Scholas National Training
- City of Lincoln and State of Nebraska Entry-Level IT Support
- Conclusion: Planting Your Future
- Frequently Asked Questions
This article provides a roadmap for AI careers in Lincoln's ecosystem for aspiring professionals.
Hudl Engineering & Product Internships
Consider Hudl’s internship program the top-tier hybrid seed for Lincoln’s tech soil: designed for maximum performance. Interns are treated as full-time contributors from day one, integrated directly into teams building the global sports technology platform. The culture is dedicated to growth, with a "stacked roster of individuals" committed to mentorship, not coffee-fetching tasks.
"Interns report being trusted with real ownership of projects and enjoying a culture so dedicated to growth." - Indeed employee reviews
Compensation & Structure: The program is paid, with competitive rates from $20 to $25+ per hour. It's a 10-12 week summer immersion, though year-round options exist for local students. The critical recruiting timeline begins early, with peak hiring for Summer 2026 starting in September 2025.
Focus & Outcomes: Focus areas are high-impact: full-stack development, AI/machine learning, and product management. The most compelling data point is the high return-offer rate for full-time "Graduate Engineer" positions. For a student with a solid foundation, this is a direct pipeline into a respected local tech giant. Preparation involves showcasing project work that demonstrates initiative and problem-solving on the Hudl internships page.
Nelnet Pathways Internship Program
If you're unsure which tech "plot" suits you best, Nelnet’s Pathways program is your ideal rotational system. This internship allows you to test different professional soils by rotating through various tech and business units of this Lincoln financial services powerhouse over an academic year, providing a structured, mentored introduction.
Compensation & Structure: The program is paid at an estimated $16-$18 per hour, with interns typically working 15-20 hours per week during the school year. The duration is one academic year, offering sustained exposure. Applications for cohorts starting in August 2026 open in early spring (e.g., February 2026), so planning is essential.
Focus & Outcomes: Rotations can include IT infrastructure, Workday system administration, or business analysis. This variety provides broad exposure, making you a versatile candidate. The program functions as a direct pipeline into Nelnet’s permanent workforce, with success stories highlighting the value of dedicated one-on-one mentorship and flexible scheduling. To apply, emphasize adaptability and eagerness to learn across domains. Explore the structured opportunities on the Nelnet careers page or view specific pathway roles like the Intern - Pathway (Workday) starting in August 2026.
Sandhills Global Software Development Internships
For those who need a non-traditional schedule, Sandhills Global offers a high-accessibility program with a rare "rolling start date" policy. New interns can start nearly every week, providing a flexible planting window uncommon in rigid corporate internship programs. As a major player in Lincoln's software and publishing sector, Sandhills provides substantive technical work and is consistently among the top companies hiring in the city.
Compensation & Structure: Technical interns can expect pay in the range of $20-$25+ per hour. The duration is flexible and often continues until graduation, allowing for a long-term, integrated experience. With rolling applications and dozens of technical roles frequently listed, your chances are favorable if you have foundational skills.
Focus & Outcomes: Interns gain hands-on experience in .NET web development, database management, and IT support. The company emphasizes converting interns to full-time staff upon graduation, making this a reliable pathway to a stable tech career. Showcasing a personal project built with .NET or SQL can significantly boost your application. Check current openings on the Sandhills Global careers portal to find your start date.
UNL Nebraska Research Enterprise Apprenticeship
This unique apprenticeship germinates right at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, focused on the vital intersection of technology and research administration. Perfect for those interested in the backbone of innovation, it manages the projects, finances, and technology transfer that bring ideas to market, offering a tech-adjacent career with fantastic stability.
Compensation & Structure: Apprentices earn $19 per hour while learning, with commitments lasting up to three semesters. It’s a true hybrid of work and education. Recruitment happens during Spring 2026 career fairs for Fall 2026 starts, targeting both undergraduate and graduate students.
Focus & Outcomes: The focus is on project management, technology transfer, and research finance within UNL’s extensive research infrastructure. The outcome includes professional certification and a high likelihood of internal placement within UNL’s research units, such as the National Strategic Research Institute. This pathway is less coding-intensive but deeply embedded in the innovation ecosystem. Demonstrate organizational skills and an understanding of the research process. Learn more via the official UNL apprenticeship announcement.
Ignite Nebraska Tech Training
Designed explicitly for those from non-traditional backgrounds or looking to make a complete career pivot, Ignite Nebraska is an intensive "earn-while-you-learn" cultivation program. It combines paid training with direct on-the-job placement at local employers, removing the financial barrier to entry for motivated career changers in the Lincoln region.
Compensation & Structure: Participants receive paid training followed by a paid placement. The duration varies by cohort but typically involves several months of intensive, full-time training. Cohorts are offered throughout the year, providing multiple planting windows for those ready to commit to a fast-paced learning environment.
Focus & Outcomes: The curriculum covers core technical concepts, professional development, and real-world projects. A key differentiator is the dedicated one-on-one career coaching and peer cohort support, which builds a vital professional network. This program has strong connections to Lincoln employers and is an excellent alternative to a traditional degree. For the latest cohort dates and application information, visit Ignite Tech.
Southeast Community College IT Certificates
For a swift, debt-conscious path to tech credentials, Southeast Community College offers accelerated certificates that directly feed into the Lincoln job market. These programs, often eligible for state upskilling grants, are designed for quick credibility and employability, functioning as an accelerated cover crop for your career field.
Structure & Focus: While the education itself is not paid, the short timeline is the investment. Certificates in high-demand areas like Cybersecurity or Web Development can be completed in 6 months to 2 years. The curriculum is tightly focused on building foundational, hireable skills quickly without a four-year commitment.
Outcomes & Connections: SCC has direct connections to local employers, including Lincoln’s state government and regional IT firms. Earning a CompTIA Security+ or a web development certificate can open doors to entry-level IT support and junior developer roles that serve as the bedrock of a tech career. This pathway is ideal for someone needing to enter the workforce rapidly, supported by a network actively hiring in Nebraska's growing information technology sector.
Research the specific, high-impact technology certificates offered at SCC to match your career goals with the right program.
UNL Raikes School Design Studio
For UNL students, the Raikes School Design Studio represents the most prestigious project-based experience in the state. This capstone sequence functions as an elite, co-op-style immersion where teams of students manage the full software development lifecycle for real-world external clients, from requirements gathering to deployment.
Structure & Mentorship: Typically a credit-based, two-semester sequence rather than a paid internship, the experience and network it provides are unparalleled. The mentorship is top-tier, with industry professionals from companies like Microsoft and Hudl guiding projects. Students gain exposure through resources like the university's career exploration platforms.
Outcomes & Access: The outcome is an extremely high job placement rate; this experience is a "gold standard" signal to employers locally and nationally. Success stories underscore its potential, such as that of alumnus Luke Farritor, who leveraged his experience into a high-profile tech role, as covered in The Daily Nebraskan's feature on UNL success stories. Admission is competitive and requires prior acceptance into the Raikes School, making it a target pathway for dedicated incoming freshmen or transfer students aspiring to software engineering.
Year Up
While not headquartered in Nebraska, Year Up’s nationally proven model is accessible to Lincoln residents through virtual and hybrid formats. This rigorous, one-year program is designed to close the opportunity gap for young adults by providing intensive technical training followed by a corporate internship, offering a structured pathway with a recognized brand on your resume.
Compensation & Structure: Participants receive a stipend during both the six-month training and six-month internship phases. The total program duration is one intensive year, requiring full commitment but offering substantial support and structure often sought by career changers.
Focus & Outcomes: Tracks include application development, data analytics, and help desk support. The program boasts high placement rates with Fortune 500 partners, many of which have remote positions suitable for Lincoln-based talent. It is competitive, with a focus on candidates demonstrating professionalism and drive. For someone in Lincoln seeking a defined, nationally recognized entry point, this is a powerful option. You can research their proven approach through resources like the Pathways to Tech Careers initiative.
Per Scholas National Training
Similar to Year Up but with a focus on intensive, skill-specific bootcamps, Per Scholas offers free, rigorous technical training across the country, with remote tracks fully accessible to Nebraskans. Its entirely tuition-free model removes cost as the primary obstacle for career changers in Lincoln, representing a life-changing launchpad for those who can dedicate themselves to full-time study.
Structure & Focus: The training is completely free and includes high-value certifications (e.g., CompTIA, AWS) at no cost. The training is intense, lasting 10-15 weeks in rolling cohorts throughout the year. Tracks in cybersecurity, IT support, and software engineering are designed to build immediately marketable skills.
Outcomes & Preparation: The model has a strong national record of placing graduates in tech roles. The acceptance process looks for demonstrable commitment and the ability to handle a fast-paced, immersive curriculum. For a Lincoln resident with the drive to pivot careers, this program provides a direct pipeline into the tech industry, embodying the type of accessible pathway to tech careers that can thrive in any location.
City of Lincoln and State of Nebraska Entry-Level IT Support
Don't overlook the public sector for a stable, rewarding start in tech. Entry-level "Service Technician" or "IT Specialist" roles with the City of Lincoln or the State of Nebraska are prime opportunities, functioning as the reliable, perennial crop in your career field. They offer immediate full-time employment with the strong job stability and community impact characteristic of public service.
Compensation & Requirements: These are permanent, full-time positions from day one. Estimated entry-level salaries range from $45,000 to $55,000 per year, a figure that offers significant purchasing power given Lincoln’s lower cost of living. These roles are competitive and typically require foundational certifications, with industry experts noting that a credential like the CompTIA A+ is a key hireability factor for such support positions.
Focus & Outcomes: The work involves hardware troubleshooting, software support, and network basics. The long-term outcome is excellent benefits and clear internal promotion tracks to system administrator and network analyst roles. While perhaps less flashy than startup roles, they offer unparalleled security. To apply, focus on pairing a relevant certificate with customer service experience on your resume, and persistently check the state and city job boards where these positions are frequently listed.
Conclusion: Planting Your Future
Choosing your first tech opportunity in Lincoln is less about chasing a generic "best" and more about smart matching, just as a farmer selects seed for their specific soil. The student with a computer science foundation should target the Hudl internship or Raikes Studio, while the career changer without a degree will find a fertile path through Ignite Nebraska or Per Scholas. Those seeking immediate stability can look to the public sector or Sandhills Global.
Remember the advantages of planting your career here: a lower cost of living that stretches your entry-level salary, a central U.S. location, and a growing ecosystem anchored by Hudl, Nelnet, and a major research university, all part of a state where information technology is a priority industry.
The application windows are your planting calendar - mark it for fall 2025 for top summer 2026 internships. Prepare not by just ticking boxes, but by cultivating a portfolio that shows initiative and problem-solving. In Lincoln's tech prairie, the right seed, planted in the right soil at the right time, yields an incredible harvest, as demonstrated by the many local success stories that have taken root here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tech opportunity in Lincoln is best for someone just starting out?
It depends on your background; for students, Hudl's paid internships offer $20-25+ per hour and high conversion to full-time roles, while career changers should consider Ignite Nebraska's earn-while-you-learn model with direct placement support in Lincoln's growing tech scene.
How much can I expect to earn from a tech internship in Lincoln?
Pay varies: top internships at Hudl and Sandhills Global offer $20-25+ per hour, and entry-level public sector jobs with the City of Lincoln start at $45,000-$55,000 annually, which stretches far due to the area's lower cost of living compared to coastal metros.
Can I break into tech in Lincoln without a traditional degree?
Yes, programs like Ignite Nebraska and Per Scholas are designed for career changers, providing free or paid training that leads to tech roles. Certificates from Southeast Community College also offer accelerated paths into local IT jobs without a four-year commitment.
What are the key deadlines for applying to tech programs in Lincoln for 2026?
Start early; for summer 2026 internships at Hudl, applications open in September 2025, while Nelnet Pathways has deadlines in early spring 2026. Sandhills Global offers rolling applications, so you can apply flexibly throughout the year.
Are there any free or low-cost tech training programs in Nebraska?
Yes, Per Scholas provides free, intensive remote training in cybersecurity and software engineering, and Ignite Nebraska offers paid training for career changers. Both are accessible to Lincoln residents and can lead to job placements with local employers like Hudl and Nelnet.
The article discusses the viability of a tech career in Lincoln in 2026 with salary comparisons.
For a comprehensive look at tech affordability in Lincoln in 2026, refer to this guide.
For practical AI networking in Lincoln's 2026 ecosystem, refer to this comprehensive guide.
The best industries for AI jobs in Lincoln are ranked here.
Discover Lincoln's top free tech training programs for 2026.
Irene Holden
Operations Manager
Former Microsoft Education and Learning Futures Group team member, Irene now oversees instructors at Nucamp while writing about everything tech - from careers to coding bootcamps.