Jenny Carmichael reflects on her career journey as Tech901 enters its 10th year - what’s next?

When Jenny Carmichael first walked through the doors of Tech901 in 2016, she thought she was just signing on to do marketing for a non-profit. Nearly a decade later, it’s clear her contributions have been instrumental in shaping not only the organization’s identity but also its future.

“At the time, I didn’t see IT as its own industry in the way that it is now,” Jenny said with a smile. 

Jenny’s story is one of adaptability, vision, and relentless growth. From creating marketing workflows to revolutionizing the admissions process and integrating innovative tools, she’s become a cornerstone of Tech901’s success. 

2025 marks Tech901’s 10th birthday— a milestone the organization would not have hit without Jenny.

When Jenny joined Tech901 in 2016, the program was still in its infancy and had yet to establish its identity.

Her early days at Tech901 were marked by constant learning. “I just learned a lot of things over time on my own that were inspired by simple convos like, 'Hey you should learn how to use [this],’” Carmichael said. “I’d go, ‘Of course, I'll do that’... and found ways to translate what I was learning into what I was doing at Tech901.”

Her knack for identifying areas of improvement and innovating solutions is a quality that has made her indispensable. Whether fine-tuning internal processes or modernizing the organization’s approach to marketing, Jenny’s impact has been far-reaching.

Her secret? A willingness to embrace change— despite her natural resistance to it. 

“I’m laughing because I don’t like change, just ask my family,” Carmichael admitted. “But when it comes to my approach to work at Tech901, their emphasis on upskilling encouraged my own.”

By 2019, Tech901 was thriving. Classes were full, and the processes Jenny helped implement were paying off in record-breaking certifications and job placements. Then, the pandemic hit.

“Suddenly, we all went ‘Oh no, we have to do something different immediately,’” Carmichael said. “It pushed us all to be better and it was amazing to work with our instructors and see the amazing labs they came up with that we could do with students via Zoom to continue providing high-quality training to our students. This also changed how we marketed ourselves.”

The shift to a quasi-remote setup meant adapting quickly, not just in teaching but also in marketing. Jenny helped expand Tech901’s digital presence by leveraging social media platforms and even experimenting with sites like Reddit to reach niche communities. Her efforts ensured the organization stayed visible and relevant during an unprecedented time.

Increasing social media presence to spread awareness to folks quarantining at home and pushing ads on sites such as Reddit to reach niche online communities are just two ways Jenny helped implement change at Tech901.

With more people relying on digital tools than ever before, the need for more IT talent rose in tandem.

“The more people in the city of Memphis that we can educate and upskill, the more quality local people there are filling vital roles in Memphis,” Carmichael said. “I want to help Memphians and this drives me.”

In 2025, as Tech901 celebrates its 10th anniversary, Jenny isn’t slowing down. This year alone, she has helped launch two new classes, revamp course structures, and debut a redesigned website for an optimized user experience.

“I’m very competitive,” Carmichael said. “And when we saw that even post-pandemic, the majority of students discovered us via word of mouth, I knew we had to improve our presence in digital spaces— and that included our website and how we communicate and engage with applicants.”

But her vision extends far beyond immediate changes. It’s also about long-term relationships and leaning on a decade's worth of student data to improve courses and secure the longevity of the program for the next decade.

For Jenny, the goal is clear: to strengthen the Memphis IT workforce and ensure Tech901 remains a beacon of opportunity for decades to come. 

“We are working to cultivate a culture that encourages our graduates to provide career updates more freely, and our online Career Hub is an intuitive way for them to do this as opposed to manual follow-ups,” Carmichael said. “Student feedback helps us improve our courses and soft skills support and is also the data we present when lobbying for funding.”

The value of investing in these online spaces goes beyond Tech901 as an org. The more connected the Memphis IT workforce becomes, the more the local workforce will be leaned on by companies and organizations looking to fill IT roles rather than outsourcing.

“I’m very proud that we’ve made it 10 years,” Carmichael said. “The fact we’re still here and moving forward says a lot because it’s not easy to do.”

“What I’m most excited about for our next decade is continuing to think outside of the box,” Carmichael continued. “We want more people to know that these certifications have value outside of IT companies. For example, if you’re a buyer for a retail company, our Data Analytics course is valuable to you because it includes Power BI and web ordering training.”

It is this willingness to adapt that has made Jenny invaluable to Tech901’s mission

When she began her tenure, she approached it with the mindset of doing non-profit marketing. Now, Jenny’s role sees her early adopting cutting-edge online tools and marketing to niche spaces that were not prioritized decades prior.  

All of her efforts align with Tech901’s mission of equitable access to top-level IT training.

“Today, nearly everyone has a powerful computer in their hand 24/7,” Carmichael said. “Even in 2015, this wasn’t the case. On top of training for CompTIA certifications, we train students to use free online tools and applications because these are universal skills.”

“The ins and outs of our education systems will keep changing,” Carmichael continued. “But the need for a well-trained workforce educated in tech isn’t slowing. And Tech901 is positioned to meet job-seekers where they’re at, whether that’s right out of high school or decades into a career.”

As Tech901 enters its second decade, Jenny Carmichael’s contributions remain a testament to the power of innovation, grit, and a willingness to embrace change— even when it’s uncomfortable.

With leaders like Jenny at the helm, the future of Tech901, as well as Memphis’s IT community, has never looked brighter.