Boston - Vice President, Treasury Management Officer, JPMC 

Jalen Epps grew up in Boston and, like many of his peers, went straight to college after high school. Without a clear sense of direction or purpose, he found himself struggling to stay motivated, ultimately leaving college and working at a job that had no growth opportunities. Feeling stuck and searching for a way to change his trajectory, Jalen’s mother introduced him to Year Up United after watching a 60 Minutes feature about the organization. Recognizing the program's potential to transform his future, Jalen eagerly applied and enrolled. 

Jalen credits Year Up United with providing him the skills, confidence, and network to thrive in the corporate world. Through the program, he earned an internship at JPMorgan Chase, where he demonstrated his capabilities and was subsequently converted to a full-time employee. Starting as an accounting specialist, Jalen quickly advanced to roles that allowed him to mentor others and lead alumni engagement initiatives. His efforts created opportunities for other Year Up United interns and alumni at JPMC to grow professionally and maintain community. Today, Jalen continues to excel in his career at JPMC, working as a Treasury Management Officer, while remaining a passionate advocate for Year Up United. 

Bay Area - Senior Internal Auditor, PayPal 

Sabrina Flores grew up in the resilient agricultural community of Soledad, California, where she learned the value of hard work. After moving to San Jose for college, she worked multiple jobs, such as a caregiver, security officer, and a valet at a tech company, to make ends meet. Despite her hard work, Sabrina felt uncertain about her future and was at a crossroads when a coworker introduced her to Year Up United, a program that opened the door to a career she never dreamed was possible. Year Up United was a turning point, providing foundational IT skills and essential corporate etiquette, which helped prepare her for her internship at PayPal. Sabrina credits Year Up United for not just teaching her skills but seeing her potential and putting her in a position where she would flourish. 

Nine years after starting her internship at PayPal, Sabrina Flores has established herself as a SOX Technology Auditor and earned the admiration of PayPal CEO Dan Schulman, who recognized her as "an integral member of our team." Sabrina’s journey has been one of growth, driven by her determination to learn as much as possible and her ability to build relationships within the company. A member of PayPal’s Aliados resource group, she supports efforts that promote inclusivity and community. Looking ahead, she hopes her story inspires others and challenges fellow Year Up United alumni and community members to stand together and lift as they climb in corporate America to further advance the skills-first movement. 

Bay Area - Associate Director of Alumni Advancement, Year Up United 

Juan Santamaria first heard about Year Up United as a high school senior, but at the time, the program’s offerings didn’t seem to align with his interests. While studying at San Francisco State University, he struggled to connect his academic pursuits with a clear career direction. Then, a friend shared that they had been accepted into Year Up United, and the program’s name resurfaced in Juan’s life once again. This time, with expanded training tracks that matched his interests, he applied, was accepted, and fully committed to the experience. He quickly immersed himself in leadership opportunities, joining clubs, committees, and program events while developing professional and technical skills. His dedication earned him an internship at a leading tech company as a Project Coordinator intern on the Business Intelligence team, where he applied what he learned to navigate a fast-paced corporate environment. 

After graduating from the program, Juan was eager to enter the job market, but a full-time opportunity at Year Up United itself changed his path. He started as an IT Teaching Assistant, then transitioned into an Employment Placement Manager, where he spent years helping other young adults launch their careers. Now, as a part of the Alumni Relations team, he is focused on strengthening the network of graduates who, like him, have built successful careers thanks to Year Up United. Looking back, Juan is grateful for the program’s impact on his life. What started as an uncertain path led to a fulfilling career—one that continues to evolve as he helps the next generation of Year Up United alumni thrive. 

Puget Sound - Senior Technical Program Manager, eBay 

Before Heaven joined Year Up United, she had several different jobs, including caregiving, customer service, and accounts receivable, while working toward her associate’s degree in business. She found Year Up United on social media from school classmates who joined the program and found success in launching their careers. Determined to find a career a path and take a leap of faith, she signed up for the program. 

At Year Up United, Heaven embraced the challenges of learning new technical skills in quality assurance and testing SQL, project management, and more. She credits the program for providing her a supportive environment to remove self-limitations, a community, and expertise to always be ready for the next step for growth. Now, Heaven is thriving as a Senior Technical Program Manager at eBay. Her success underscores the power of opportunity and perseverance, and she’s now passionate about helping others discover their potential in the tech industry, just as she did. 

Chicago - Senior Manager PRM Planning, Development and Science, United Airlines 

When Emily Lopez arrived in Chicago in 2016 from Venezuela, she had just one bag, a new life ahead, and little knowledge of what the future held. With limited English-speaking skills and a shy demeanor, her journey toward success started in an unconventional way. She worked as a nanny for a family who spoke Spanish, which made communication easier. Little did she know, this connection would lead her to the Year Up United program, which opened doors she hadn’t imagined possible. Emily had previously held various jobs but felt uncertain about her future in the U.S., unsure how to break into a fulfilling career. 

Once joining Year Up United, Emily’s confidence grew. This newfound confidence led to an internship at United Airlines, where she became an integral part of the revenue management team as an Analyst. Now, after many promotions Emily is a Senior Manager, working on the planning, development, and science team at United Airlines. She credits Year Up United with providing the support and guidance she needed to grow, including mentorship from her team and exposure to a variety of professional skills. Looking ahead, she remains committed to further growing her career at United, embracing new challenges and opportunities, and sharing her story with those seeking a similar path to success.