What A Difference A Year Makes

By Deborah Drew

This summer the team at Year Up proudly graduated 113 program participants and set them on a path to achieve their educational and career expectations.

Just a year ago, these students began with Year Up full of promise and expectations, eager to embark on a yearlong journey towards economic justice. During that time — operating at its co-located, Roxbury Community College, Boston, and a newly-launched accelerated model,“Be Mass Competitive” — they have learned and strengthened skills.

The Year Up model is simple: Combine career training, educational stipends, professional internships, and college credits, with youth and position them to secure middle-skill roles that pay a living wage, obtain relevant degrees and certifications, and continue their education.

Under its four-year partnership with Year Up, the National Grid Foundation has supported its mission to close the “opportunity divide” by providing disadvantaged young adults with the skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education.

 Am I guaranteed a fulltime job after I graduate?

80% of our graduates are employed within 4-months of graduation. We have a dedicated team that is committed to helping you get a job after graduation.

Young adults from underserved neighborhoods who have the motivation to succeed, but lack access to resources that will enable them to do so, and Fortune 1000 companies who lack access to a viable pool of motivated and diverse talent team up under a high support, high expectation model that combines marketable job skills, stipends, internships, and college credits. Now it’s time for this graduating class to apply their ability to communicate, collaborate, organize, and adapt as they reach their career and educational aspirations. See what two of Year Up’s 2022 gradated have to say. ❧

 Am I guaranteed an internship?

100% of students that meet expectations during the learning and development phase are placed in internships. We set very clear expectations and coach you every step of the way to ensure you always know where you stand.

34% Salaries vary, but a recent study found that our participants earn more, on average, than their peers who don’t join Year Up. We have a dedicated team that is committed to helping you with job placement after graduation.