From Part-Time Jobs to Program Manager: Celia Soriano's Path to Success at Workday

Before joining Year Up United in 2021, Celia Soriano was working part-time jobs as a server and a COVID-19 tester. She was also a first-year community college student studying public health. As a COVID tester, she saw how healthcare facilities used technology and analytics to track outbreaks of the virus, and how working with technology could truly make a positive impact on people’s lives. Although this sparked her passion for tech, she was unsure how to break into the industry. Her path became clear when she met a Year Up United graduate who spoke highly of the program’s hands-on approach and strong support system, exactly what she needed.

How Year Up United’s Tuition-Free Job Training Program Helped Lupe Launch Her Career at Stanford

How Year Up United’s Tuition-Free Job Training Program Helped Lupe Launch Her Career at Stanford

Jordana’s Journey with E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Year Up United

Introducing Jordana Walker: a Year Up United graduate from Greater Atlanta whose decision to change up her career resulted in a full-time role at E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, a Year Up United partner since 2007. In this Q&A, we learn more about Jordana’s journey and the support she found along the way.

My Journey from Year Up United to Salesforce: Kristyne Cardenas-Sanchez

Kristyne Cardenas-Sanchez, a Year Up United graduate from the Bay Area, overcame her fear of change by following her own path while staying true to her core values.

Preparing for a Future of Possibilities Through Year Up United Career Connect

Ignacio Valdez, a student at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), knew he wanted to advance his career, but he also recognized that achieving his professional goals would require more than ambition alone—it would take preparation and access to the right opportunities.

Paving the Way to Harvard Business School with Aileen Oliva

Aileen Oliva is a Year Up United graduate from the Greater Boston Area who found confidence, career skills, and a path forward with Year Up United—and now paves the way for new interns at Harvard Business School.

Exploring Connection and Identity with Year Up United Staff Member, Luis Cabrales-Vasquez

Meet Luis Cabrales-Vasquez, pronouns They/He. Luis holds a master’s degree in social work and celebrates over six years working at Year Up United. Today, they are the Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), bringing connection, a lot of laughs, and even more kindness to the Year Up United workplace.

My Journey From Year Up United To LinkedIn: Yesenia Morales

Yesenia Morales is a Year Up United graduate from the Bay Area who continues to gain momentum in her career at LinkedIn. She considers herself a natural introvert who got out of her comfort zone and challenged herself both personally and professionally. Through Yesenia’s words, we understand the power of self-belief, opportunity, and community.

The Power of Persistence and Mentorship with Maygan Hooper

Meet Maygan Hooper: a Year Up United graduate from Los Angeles who took a new approach to achieving her dreams and currently works at Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Year Up United Alumni Community Reflection: Thai Nguyen

Introducing Thai Nguyen: a community leader and a proud Year Up United graduate from Tampa Bay. Thai has not only found success in the professional realm at JPMorgan Chase, but he has also leveraged his alumni status to make meaningful contributions through the Year Up United community and beyond. Since completing the Year Up United program, Thai has been a peer mentor, a volunteer, and he’s also become a homeowner — emphasizing the profound positive impact, not only on his own life but also on the lives of others. His advice to future Year Up United students? Thai advocates for investing in one's future, and in experiences that pave the way to a brighter and more successful tomorrow.

Tatiana Beltre and Sakara Sharp's Journey from Year Up United to Success at Bank of America

Meet Tatiana Beltre and Sakara Sharp. The two Year Up United alumnae have achieved noteworthy milestones – both personal and professional – since graduating from the Year Up United program. Today, they work full time at Bank of America, a Year Up United partner since 2007. In this Q&A, we learn about some of those achievements, as well as the advice they have for those interested in following in their footsteps.

Blanca Gonzalez’s Leap into a Project Management Career

The Year Up United graduate from the National Capital Region now works as a Business IT Analyst at Exelon Corporation, the nation’s leading competitive energy provider.

Sigifredo Huerta: Lessons for a Lifetime

The Year Up United graduate from Chicago carries with him lessons learned at Year Up United and in life.

River Veloz: an Alumnus in Action

The Year Up United graduate from New York | New Jersey continues to lift while he climbs by giving back to his community using the Alumni ACTion grants.

Brittany Modica and Haben Tilahun Find Support and Connection at Microsoft

Brittany Modica and Haben Tilahun are Year Up United graduates from Puget Sound whose diligence and drive led them to internships and eventual full-time roles at Microsoft, a Year Up United partner since 2007. In this Q&A, we learn about what brought them to Year Up, what motivates them, and where they are now.

Shaleya Tucker Finds Her Community as a Year Up United Staff Member

The Year Up United graduate from Dallas/Fort Worth accomplishes more in one year than she ever dreamed possible.

Micah Lundy and the Road to Success

The Year Up United graduate from Greater Atlanta gained technical training in the program and turned it into a full-time position at Cox Automotive.

Gaelle Akaliza Lands at the Company that Captured Her Heart and Reshaped Her Career

The Year Up United graduate from the Greater Boston area, who wanted a place to make an impact, is living her career dreams at Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Joel Beckford Earns the Best Kind of Award: a Rewarding Career

The Year Up United graduate from the National Capital Region has been promoted twice at Deloitte, and is leading his team as they troubleshoot technology issues.

Three’s A Charm: Steventh Cordero, James Delgado, and Jarvin Gutierrez Find Success Together at Amazon

Steventh, James, and Jarvin graduated from Year Up United in South Florida within a year of each other and have been promoted to IT roles at the same time at Amazon.

John Corkum Takes Flight In His New Career

The Year Up United graduate from Wilmington, who came to the U.S. at 14 years old, now works full-time in client services at JPMorgan Chase.

A connection worth making for Emily Lopez

The Year Up United graduate came from Venezuela with just one bag and now works on United Airlines’ domestic pricing team.

Abby Garcia Pushes the Wayfair Experience Forward

A talent for collaboration and project management has made Abby a vital part of the company’s ambitious vision.

Preparation, dedication open doors for Ainsley Morgan

A graduate of Year Up United’s Career Accelerator program, Ainsley now works full time at Wells Fargo.

Year Up & Pluralsight Partnership Case Study

Pluralsight’s partnership with Year Up has opened new doors for young adults. Learn how.

Carnel Harley: Energy, transformed

Through Year Up’s Accelerated Model, Carnel is quickly starting his work-based experience in IT and stepping into his dream of a career in tech.

Q&A with Clarence Early, Year Up Graduate and Founder of Afrikwave

Clarence Early is a Year Up 2016 graduate who, after 5+ years working in the IT field, founded the online platform Afrikwave, with the goal to empower and uplift those in Africa by creating career opportunities.

Gianella Cruz: How a year of uncertainty was a blessing in disguise

Leveraging her inner strength, Gianella Cruz turned steep challenges and loss into personal growth and a meaningful career in tech.

A Vision for the Future: Year Up’s New Campus in Washington, DC

More than 60,000 young adults in the DC metro area lack access to sustainable economic opportunity due to a lack of skills, credentials, degrees, and/or opportunity. This summer, Year Up opened its first campus within Washington, DC. Learn more about this innovative campus and the Talent for Tomorrow Alliance.

Rhyan Taylor: Finding the Answer at Amazon

Curiosity, drive, and mentorship from his internship supervisor, Marcus Hall, set Rhyan up for career success.

Banking on a Bright Future: Wayland Zhang

How a challenging year's start led Wayland to a flourishing career at Bank of America.

Ty’Relle Stephens: From Year Up to the Providence School Board

As the youngest ever member of the Providence School Board, Year Up graduate Ty’Relle Stephens is building a new Rhode Island.

Isaac Buwembo: Designing in Equity

At Year Up, Isaac is doing his life’s work: working in innovation, at the intersection of human-centered design and racial equity. 

Finding His Sweet Spot: Paul Funches

Embracing opportunity and education, Paul found his ‘sweet spot’ as a Digital Innovation and Systems Associate Specialist at Merck and communications student at Temple University.

Kio Ortega: Creating her Own Story at Harvard University

Malcolm Smith: Defying Expectations to Achieve Success

How Malcolm turned negative words into positive outcomes

It Takes a Village: Karina Tapia

How this student was able to balance personal growth and motherhood with help from Year Up United.

Christian Rubio: A Winning Recipe for Career Success

Christian, who works as an Associate Insights Analyst at LinkedIn, finds creative parallels between cooking and coding.

Paola Garcia: A Passion for Inclusion

How Paola’s Firsthand Experience Shaped Her Career at Year Up

Breaking Down Barriers: Managing Through Mentorship at Microsoft