Year Up United

Bridging Talent and Opportunity at Harvard – Year Up United  

Program Overview

Year Up United is a nationwide program dedicated to closing the training and experience gap that limits career opportunities for young adults. By providing the critical skills, real-world experiences, and professional support they need, Year Up United empowers individuals to thrive – and helps organizations, like Harvard, benefit from their talent and potential. 

Since 2004, Harvard has proudly partnered with Year Up United, hosting approximately 50 interns per year. Many of these interns have transitioned into permanent roles at Harvard, contributing significantly to team productivity and department goals. These interns bring fresh perspectives, new talents, and strong work ethic to their departments. 

How the Program Works

Interns undergo six months of immersive job training in areas such as business operations, financial operations, IT support, and more. Post-training, they complete a six-month internship with Harvard departments, with ongoing support to secure a full-time role.

We encourage hiring managers to view a Year Up United intern as more than just an intern. They represent a unique opportunity to invest in a future talent pool that is driven, skilled, and eager to contribute. Year Up United bridges the training and experience gap for young adults who lack access to career opportunities and resources. By embracing one of these exceptional interns, you gain access to a motivated workforce poised to fill future vacancies and meet your organizational needs with fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. Hiring a Year Up United intern is not just a short-term solution – it's a strategic step toward building an inclusive and capable future team.

Benefits to the Hosting Department

  1. Cost-effective and Untapped Talent: Gain access to highly motivated and trained talent at a lower cost than hiring traditional full-time employees. 
  2. Risk Reduction: Trial potential hires through hands-on internship, minimizing hiring risks. 
  3. Inclusive Excellence: Amplify workforce diversity by integrating interns with unique experiences and backgrounds. 
  4. Innovative Team Building: Integrate fresh perspectives that will ignite innovation and drive your team’s organizational needs forward .
  5. Dedicated Program Management: Year Up United and Harvard Pathway Program Management Teams offer support through personalized guidance, mentorship, and resources to ensure both the manager and intern are successful.  

How Hosting Managers Can Get Involved

If you are a hiring manager interested in learning more about Year Up interns and other Harvard Pathway Programs, please complete our Pathway Program Interest form and a member of the Harvard Pathway Programs team will contact you. Or visit the HARVie Pathway Program pages (HarvardKey required). 

How Interested Candidates Can Apply

To apply, students should visit the Year Up website, create an account on the student portal, and complete their application. Although this is a national program, applicants must reside within commuting distance of their chosen location. 

 Interested in learning more?   

For additional information or have questions regarding Harvard’s Year Up United Internship program, please email the Harvard Pathway Programs team at hhr_yearup@harvard.edu.