PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION
A Collaborative, Scalable Partnership.
Partnership at a Glance
Bank of America has been one of Year Up United’s longest and largest employer partners since our collaboration began in 2006. What started with a single intern has grown into a deeply impactful relationship spanning 17 states. Bank of America has hosted more than 4,000 interns and served as a founding partner for Year Up United sites in Arizona, Dallas/Fort Worth, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, and Charlotte.
Together, we’ve built more than an early-career talent strategy. We’ve created a thriving ecosystem of opportunity. In 2024 alone, 80% of Year Up United interns at Bank of America converted to full-time employment, reflecting Bank of America’s continued commitment to advancing the skills-first hiring movement.
The Pathways Program
Bank of America’s leadership in workforce development goes beyond internships. Through initiatives like the Pathways Program, the Bank has exceeded its goal to hire 10,000 individuals from low- and moderate-income neighborhoods in partnership with Year Up United. This effort was strengthened by Grads of Life, Year Up United’s skills-first advisory practice, which conducted an in-depth needs assessment through more than 30 interviews and site visits with bank locations and nonprofit partners. The insights gathered informed strategy design sessions with a group of corporate and market stakeholders, helping shape a program that places talent in technology, operations, credit, and other critical roles.
“We are continually impressed with the way Year Up United students are prepared for their internships; we see interns who not only have the technical skills we want, but also demonstrate the drive and interpersonal skills needed to build successful careers at Bank of America.”
“I’ve been fortunate to work with Year Up United for over 10 years in a variety of capacities, including volunteer, board member, and corporate advocate. Helping people obtain livable-wage jobs is one way we advance economic opportunity in communities and grow market share. When individuals have access to jobs and careers, and employers have the workforce they need to build their business, economies can thrive, and Bank of America can grow and succeed.”
“Hosting a Year Up United intern has been a privilege. Working side by side with them, training them, and seeing their growth motivates me once again on my own purpose: to lift as I climb. It also gives the whole team a different perspective on one of our core values at Bank of America, to deliver together.”
Bank of America Interns, December 2022
Alumni Spotlight: Tatiana Beltre and Sakara Sharp
Year Up United alumnae Tatiana Beltre and Sakara Sharp turned personal challenges into professional triumphs through their internships with Bank of America. Both Tatiana and Sakara were hired to full-time roles at Bank of America after graduating from the Year Up United program. Tatiana is now a Senior Claims Analyst in the Consumer Banking division and Sakara is an Academy Manager in the bank’s skills education and professional development organization.
“It was great to have the opportunity and encouragement to try so many things [during my internship.] That’s definitely something I like about the culture here at Bank of America.” — Sakara Sharp
“I really appreciated the one-one-one support given to me by my manager at [Bank of America] at the time.” — Tatiana Beltre
Year Up United's Corporate Changemakers play a critical role in helping Year Up United close the Opportunity Divide for young adults in this country. Changemakers understand that employers must think differently about who is talented to address pervasive hiring challenges that affect their businesses. These impactful companies have demonstrated their commitment to Year Up United's mission through generous philanthropic contributions that help to create substantive systems change and professional opportunities for talented young adults.