Intern Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Tennessee
Tennessee's intern hiring spans healthcare systems like HCA Healthcare and Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, advanced manufacturing corridors in Chattanooga, and FedEx's logistics operations in Memphis. International interns typically require J-1 or H-1B cap-exempt sponsorship, and competition is strongest in Nashville's healthcare and tech sectors and Knoxville's engineering programs.
See All Intern JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 428+ Intern Jobs in Tennessee with Visa Sponsorship jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 428+ Intern Jobs in Tennessee with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Intern Jobs in Tennessee with Visa Sponsorship.
Get Access To All JobsPosition Summary:
The Summer Intern within the Controller’s Team at Vanderbilt University will participate in a structured, rotational program designed to provide exposure to the core financial operations of a leading higher education institution. Over the course of the internship, the intern will gain hands-on experience across key functional areas within Finance, including Accounting and Financial Reporting, Tax and Financial Leadership and Development, Procurement and Payment Services, and Research Finance.
This internship provides a comprehensive introduction to the financial operations of Vanderbilt University, a top-tier research institution. The program is intended to prepare candidates for future careers in accounting, finance, or higher education administration by combining practical experience with exposure to institutional strategy and compliance frameworks.
About the Work Unit:
The Controller’s Team is responsible for ensuring the integrity of Vanderbilt University’s financial records and supporting sound financial decision-making across the institution. The team oversees accounting, financial reporting, tax compliance, procurement and payment operations, and post-award research financial administration.
As part of Finance, the Controller’s Team partners with academic and administrative units to ensure compliance with institutional policies, federal and state regulations, and best practices in higher education financial management.
Program Structure:
The intern will rotate through the following teams, spending approximately two weeks with each:
- Accounting and Financial Reporting – Exposure to general ledger management, financial close processes, and preparation of institutional financial statements.
- Tax and Financial Leadership and Development – Introduction to tax compliance in higher education (including unrelated business income and nonprofit considerations) and insight into finance-led professional development activities.
- Procurement and Payment Services – Overview of procure-to-pay processes, supplier management, expense reimbursement, and payment operations.
- Research Finance – Insight into post-award financial management, grant compliance, and financial oversight of sponsored research.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
- Participate in a structured rotational program across multiple finance functions
- Assist with basic accounting, reconciliation, and reporting activities
- Support analysis of financial data and preparation of internal reports
- Gain exposure to university financial systems and processes (e.g., Oracle ERP)
- Contribute to process improvement initiatives and documentation efforts
- Attend team meetings and training sessions
- Develop an understanding of compliance requirements specific to higher education, including federal grant regulations and nonprofit tax considerations
- Collaborate with team members and build effective working relationships across departments
- Present a summary of learning outcomes and key insights at the conclusion of the internship
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility. The intern will report to designated team leads within each functional area, with overall coordination by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Controller.
Education and Certifications:
- Current undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited institution
- Pursuing a degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field is preferred
Experience and Skills:
- Demonstrated interest in finance, accounting, or higher education administration
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is preferred
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment
Position Summary:
The Summer Intern within the Controller’s Team at Vanderbilt University will participate in a structured, rotational program designed to provide exposure to the core financial operations of a leading higher education institution. Over the course of the internship, the intern will gain hands-on experience across key functional areas within Finance, including Accounting and Financial Reporting, Tax and Financial Leadership and Development, Procurement and Payment Services, and Research Finance.
This internship provides a comprehensive introduction to the financial operations of Vanderbilt University, a top-tier research institution. The program is intended to prepare candidates for future careers in accounting, finance, or higher education administration by combining practical experience with exposure to institutional strategy and compliance frameworks.
About the Work Unit:
The Controller’s Team is responsible for ensuring the integrity of Vanderbilt University’s financial records and supporting sound financial decision-making across the institution. The team oversees accounting, financial reporting, tax compliance, procurement and payment operations, and post-award research financial administration.
As part of Finance, the Controller’s Team partners with academic and administrative units to ensure compliance with institutional policies, federal and state regulations, and best practices in higher education financial management.
Program Structure:
The intern will rotate through the following teams, spending approximately two weeks with each:
- Accounting and Financial Reporting – Exposure to general ledger management, financial close processes, and preparation of institutional financial statements.
- Tax and Financial Leadership and Development – Introduction to tax compliance in higher education (including unrelated business income and nonprofit considerations) and insight into finance-led professional development activities.
- Procurement and Payment Services – Overview of procure-to-pay processes, supplier management, expense reimbursement, and payment operations.
- Research Finance – Insight into post-award financial management, grant compliance, and financial oversight of sponsored research.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
- Participate in a structured rotational program across multiple finance functions
- Assist with basic accounting, reconciliation, and reporting activities
- Support analysis of financial data and preparation of internal reports
- Gain exposure to university financial systems and processes (e.g., Oracle ERP)
- Contribute to process improvement initiatives and documentation efforts
- Attend team meetings and training sessions
- Develop an understanding of compliance requirements specific to higher education, including federal grant regulations and nonprofit tax considerations
- Collaborate with team members and build effective working relationships across departments
- Present a summary of learning outcomes and key insights at the conclusion of the internship
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility. The intern will report to designated team leads within each functional area, with overall coordination by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Controller.
Education and Certifications:
- Current undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited institution
- Pursuing a degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field is preferred
Experience and Skills:
- Demonstrated interest in finance, accounting, or higher education administration
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is preferred
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment
Intern Job Roles in Tennessee
See all 428+ Intern Jobs in Tennessee
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Intern Jobs in TennesseeIntern Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for interns in Tennessee?
Large Tennessee employers with established international intern programs include HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, FedEx, and Nissan North America. Academic medical centers and Fortune 500 companies in the state are more likely to have the legal infrastructure to support visa sponsorship for interns than smaller firms. Startups and small businesses in Tennessee rarely sponsor intern visas.
Which visa types are most common for intern roles in Tennessee?
The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa is the most common pathway for international interns in Tennessee, covering trainee and intern program categories administered through a designated sponsor organization. F-1 students at Tennessee universities may also work off-campus through Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training. H-1B sponsorship for intern-level roles is uncommon due to the annual cap and degree requirements.
Which cities in Tennessee have the most intern sponsorship jobs?
Nashville concentrates the largest share of intern sponsorship opportunities, driven by its healthcare systems, corporate headquarters, and a growing tech sector. Memphis follows, anchored by FedEx's global operations and a network of logistics and supply chain companies. Knoxville attracts engineering and research interns through Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee's employer partnerships. Chattanooga has a smaller but active advanced manufacturing internship market.
How to find intern visa sponsorship jobs in Tennessee?
Migrate Mate filters internship listings specifically to employers willing to sponsor visas, saving you from sorting through roles that exclude international candidates. For Tennessee intern roles, focus your search on Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, and filter by industry sectors like healthcare, logistics, and engineering where sponsorship is more established. Migrate Mate's job board is built for international job seekers and surfaces sponsorship-eligible positions that general job boards do not clearly label.
Are there state-specific considerations for international interns in Tennessee?
Tennessee does not impose additional state-level licensing or work authorization requirements beyond federal visa rules for most intern roles. However, interns placed at facilities subject to federal contracts, such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory, may face security clearance requirements that limit eligibility for non-U.S. persons. J-1 interns must work through an approved program sponsor and cannot begin work until their DS-2019 is issued and their visa is approved.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored intern jobs in Tennessee?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
See which intern employers are hiring and sponsoring visas in Tennessee right now.
Search Intern Jobs in Tennessee