Before starting the Year Up United program, Jason Coulette spent his days working in the kitchen of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in New York — mopping floors, taking out trash, and taking college classes part-time. Through all those long shifts and classes, Jason knew that he had greater potential, and his ambitious attitude pushed him to pursue new opportunities.
“A mentor told me about Year Up United and suggested I apply since I had an interest in technology,” Jason recalls. “My grandfather also told me to go look for opportunities on Wall Street. Joining Year Up United was the perfect fit to address both.”
Jason began the program in 2007, sharpening his technical skills while discovering and developing new talents that fueled his career growth. “Year Up United unlocked a skill I didn’t know I had — networking and the ability to work a room and connect with people,” he says. Those skills became powerful catalysts as he began to lay the foundations for his career. During his time in the program, Jason also gained community and lifelong mentors. “The relationships I built with my mentors at Year Up United are ones I still leverage,” he shares.
After completing his internship at Lehman Brothers, he set out to achieve his goal of securing full-time employment and building a lasting career in financial services. He knew he had the skillset to do it, and more importantly, carried the drive to reach his goals. Determined to find a way to honor that drive, he leaned on the network he built through the program to further his career. He used his networking skills to connect with C-suite executives at large financial companies who would champion his professional growth. Jason wasn’t just building a meaningful career; he was honoring the mentors who believed in him.
In the decade following Jason’s Year Up United experience, he held various roles at different financial services companies, gaining expertise in the field. In 2018, Jason was hired at Bank of America, and today, he serves as a Senior Vice President in Global Risk Management where he manages regulatory exams and interfaces directly with financial regulators.
“The communication and networking skills I gained from Year Up United are key to my role,” he says. “Being able to communicate effectively and leverage internal relationships is critical in what I do.”
Bank of America has been a game changer for Jason’s career journey – and for thousands of other Year Up United alumni. Since the partnership began in 2006, the company has welcomed over 4,000 interns across the country. In 2024 alone, 80% of interns became full-time employees, showing just how powerful a skills-first approach can be to enhancing talent strategies.
In his current role, Jason also hosts and mentors new Year Up United interns at Bank of America. For Jason, it is a full-circle moment, allowing him to open doors for those who come after him. Becoming a mentor for the next generation is more than just a professional milestone; it’s a powerful reminder that access to opportunity has a ripple effect that benefits others.
“It’s inspiring to see young adults come into the bank from the same starting point that I did,” he shares. “Being able to influence and help shape their careers keeps me engaged and reminds me why the partnership between Year Up United and Bank of America matters.”
Jason regularly goes back to his local Year Up United site to speak with students. He also uses his platform to advocate for new company partnerships, because he knows the power of investing in young adults, remembering what it felt like to be where they are now. Reflecting on his journey, Jason takes pride in being the first of his family to earn a college degree and in inspiring others from similar backgrounds to pursue their goals. Before the program, he never imagined he’d be the one giving career advice. Now, he is using his experience to lift while he climbs.