When Jonathan Moreno introduces himself to prospective students and community partners today, he often starts with two important facts: he's a Senior Manager of Student Recruitment at Year Up United — and he's also a Year Up United alumnus.
That connection helps him relate to the young adults he meets every day because he once stood exactly where they are now.
Ten years ago, Jonathan was commuting between a maintenance job and college classes, uncertain about his future and struggling to find the right path. After losing his scholarship and questioning whether college alone would lead to the opportunities he wanted, he began exploring alternatives.
Then he spotted a Year Up United advertisement on public transit in Atlanta. "What caught my attention was that it was going to provide access to an internship, that it was tuition-free, and that it paid a stipend," Jonathan recalls. "Those three things sounded almost too good to be true."
That moment led him to apply to Year Up United's Career Pathways program, a decision that would transform both his career and his confidence.
Jonathan enrolled in Year Up United's Project Management Career Pathway in 2016. Through the program, he developed foundational skills in communication, organization, project coordination, and professional relationship-building.
His internship gave him the opportunity to apply those skills in a professional setting while gaining experience coordinating projects, planning events, and presenting ideas to others. The experience pushed him outside of his comfort zone.
"I had a bit of imposter syndrome at my internship," Jonathan says. "I was thinking, 'Oh my gosh, what am I doing here?' Year Up United put us in those uncomfortable situations where we had to grow."
The technical skills he gained through the Project Management Career Pathway were valuable, and the career-readiness skills proved equally important.
"One of the greatest benefits of Year Up United was learning those extra professional and communication skills," he says. "Those skills have been even more beneficial than any degree or certification I've earned since."
Those skills helped Jonathan build relationships, expand his network, and secure a full-time role with his internship company after completing the program. More importantly, they gave him the confidence to navigate professional environments and advocate for himself throughout his career.
After graduating from the Year Up United program, Jonathan continued building his career while earning a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Over time, he realized he wanted work that aligned more closely with his values and allowed him to make a direct impact on others.
In 2022, he was hired at Year Up United as a Recruitment Specialist.
As a first-generation American whose parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico, Jonathan understood how difficult it can be to access professional opportunities without a clear roadmap.
"I really wanted to bring that opportunity to people who looked like me," he says. "And honestly, to anyone who doesn't have access. Everyone deserves that opportunity."
Jonathan's passion for expanding access to opportunity quickly became evident. After serving as a Recruitment Specialist for over a year, he was promoted to Recruitment Manager and has continued to advance his career at Year Up United.
Now, four years into his tenure at Year Up United, he is a Senior Manager of Student Recruitment, leading multi-market recruitment efforts, supporting a national network of Recruitment Ambassadors, and helping connect young adults with Year Up United through partnerships and community outreach across the country.
The same project management, communication, and relationship-building skills Jonathan gained as a student now help him develop partnerships, coordinate national recruitment initiatives, and support teams across multiple markets.
Just as importantly, his experience as an alum helps him connect authentically with prospective students. "When I meet young adults, I'm usually not talking to them from a recruitment standpoint," he says. "I'm talking to them as an alum."
For Jonathan, one of the most rewarding aspects of Year Up United is the alumni network. He remains actively connected through participation in Alumni Summits and relationships with graduates across the country. Alumni frequently share opportunities, offer professional support, and refer prospective students to the program.
"Being part of the Year Up United alumni community is such an amazing resource," Jonathan says. "Once you meet another alum, it almost feels like family."
Jonathan’s investment in himself led to a meaningful career, a nationwide professional network, and the opportunity to help young adults discover what's possible through Year Up United.
For prospective students considering the program, his advice is simple: commit fully to the experience. "Be ready to invest six months to a year to completely change your life," he says. "It's 100% worth it."