Prior to joining Year Up United in 2020, Betsy Ramirez was working as a server. Enrolled in some college courses at the time, Betsy did not feel like she had the guidance she needed to truly succeed, so she took a break. Concerned about job safety in the restaurant industry, she found herself desiring a more fulfilling role that had more opportunities for growth. Betsy wanted a career in which she could develop her skills but wasn’t sure how to break into the corporate world without a degree.
Betsy heard about Year Up United from a friend who had completed the program. She felt inspired by her friend’s accomplishments, from gaining an internship to securing a full-time job and buying a home. This motivated her to apply to the program herself.
Betsy began her Year Up United journey in 2020, eager to explore a future in technology. From the start, she found herself surrounded by a community of mentors, instructors, and peers who encouraged her to push beyond her comfort zone. With their guidance, Betsy discovered her voice in public speaking, sharpened her professional communication skills, and built confidence working with tools like Excel—preparing her for success in the IT field. These skills would be crucial in her professional development as she earned her internship with Fidelity, working in their central planning group with business analysts.
“I was very excited to be placed at Fidelity,” said Betsy. “I had heard from other Year Up United alumni that they had great experiences there.”
Year Up United’s efforts with Fidelity launched in 2002, making it one of our longest-standing connections. Over 500 interns have been hosted since its inception, with 460 program alumni working for Fidelity full-time.
From Betsy’s first moments in her internship, she felt a sense of belonging on the team. She worked closely with analysts that did the forecasting and scheduling for the business unit. She was also able to connect with managers across other teams to showcase her work ethic, and in turn, was able to leverage her networking skills when interviewing for a full-time position at the end of her internship.
Betsy set her sights on becoming a Business Analyst when she first began her internship, a role that was well-aligned with her curiosity and problem-solving mindset. While Fidelity’s structure meant she couldn’t step directly into that role after her internship, she didn’t lose sight of her goal. Betsy embraced her first full-time position as a Customer Service Representative, determined to use it as a stepping stone toward her dream role.
That determination fueled every step of her journey. Betsy jumped at opportunities to collaborate across departments, eager to learn new systems and contribute wherever she could. Her ambition and dedication didn’t go unnoticed: over the course of 4.5 years, she earned four promotions and ultimately reached her goal of joining her internship-hosting team, becoming a Business Analyst in the central planning group. Along the way, Fidelity recognized her outstanding impact with the Circle of Excellence Award—an honor that reflects not only her technical expertise, but also her relentless drive to grow and support her team. As she climbs the corporate ladder that she once dreamed of, Betsy continues to mentor new Year Up United interns as they begin their careers, living out our “lift while you climb” mantra. She extends her hand to assist these new interns with interviewing and networking skills, which she credits Year Up United with helping her develop when she was an intern herself. Being able to mentor the Year Up United interns at Fidelity signifies a full-circle moment for Betsy. Betsy recognizes how crucial her mentors were to her at the start of her professional journey and pushes herself to be that same guide for the interns that have come after her.
“I know exactly how they feel,” Betsy said. “I’ve been in their shoes. I always tell them that if they show up and work hard, they’ll be successful at Fidelity.”
Year Up United transformed the way Betsy approached building her career, showing her that with dedication and persistence, she could chart her own path forward. Since joining Fidelity, she has not only earned her associate’s degree in business administration but is also pursuing her bachelor’s while continuing to advance within the company. True to her goal-setting mindset, Betsy now has her sights set on becoming a senior analyst and, ultimately, stepping into management—continuing to prove that her ambition and hard work open doors to new possibilities.