Year Up Reviews

Former Employee – worked at Year Up as a contractor for more than a year

Pros – Many nonprofits seem to be a bit inefficient: spending money where there is no return on employees or clientele, achieving a consistently moderate rate of success among clients, and sometimes coming off as outdated. This is not at all representative of Year Up. A former AmeriCorp volunteer there, I found the experience to be a great contribution to my professional development. Everyone there is very ambitious.
Perks:
> Great [esp for a nonprofit] professional development options
> Good tuition reimb. options
> Frequent constructive feedback
> Exposure to some of the most influential people at your site's location (politicians, senior level executives from fortune 500 co, philanthropists )
> Opportunities to jump on projects you may not have had exp. with
> The salaries offered are pretty good and competitive
> Contingent upon your performance of course, you could very well develop your subsequent job title and responsibilities moving forward

Cons – > Sometimes you have to coach a partner/mentor/volunteer/corp supervisor of your advisee in cultural etiquette
> Expect that your work environment will have a high volume of noise, and interruptions from colleagues or students
> If you're an introvert, this likely a place you should avoid working; you're expected to do public speaking frequently and coach students on how to present themselves among executives and in before large audiences
> Giving out penalties to students otherwise known as infractions
> Seeing students go through extreme hardships, or getting caught up in illegal activities

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Year Up full-time for more than a year

Pros – Excellent leadership, great mission, work hard and never give up, makes a real difference in the lives of urban young adults, super bright and motivated co-workers, an exciting time to work at the organization as it was beginning to have a national impact. Valued each contribution - not a lot of hierarchy. Fair pay and excellent benefits - especially for a non-profit.

Cons – The organization did not always recognize the talent that existed within and looked to new hires when there were others who could have moved up and taken on the challenge and opportunity.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Year Up

Pros – Brilliant leadership, talented staff and smart impact-oriented mission. Gerald Chertavian is an example of when the right things come together. He's both well educated and smart (they don't always go together) and he's created an organization with a contagious passion for a clear and consistent mission/vision: closing the opportunity divide in this country.

I can't get them out of my system and I've been gone a few years now. They invest heavily in the development of their employees who are, unsurprisingly, as committed as they come. The mission, vision and strategy is something that is effectively communicated on a regular basis. National expansion, short and long term fundraising and other needs, etc. are given appropriate attention and discussed openly and with surprising candor.

What they've accomplished in the few years since their start has been incredible. Early graduates of the program are returning to mentor current students, teach classes as adjunct professors of local colleges and as staff members of the growing organization.

My experience involved working with students as well as in a functional role doing process improvement and capacity building. I loved every aspect of it. I've had good work experiences before and since Year Up but non compare to the mix of great things the company offers it's students, employees and partners.

Check them out.

Cons – You'll be doing real work for an important cause which is great. However, the organization is more vision driven than mission driven. They fully intend for the work they do to have an exponentially increasing impact and to form an important part of an eventual "solution" to the problem. That means you'll be doing top notch work and being passionate about the cause is necessary but not going to cut it alone like in some non-profit organizations. Expect to work smart and hard and receive very regular and open feedback about your strengths and growth areas. This is not a place for people who have big hearts and small heads.

Advice to Senior Management – Consider expanding the reach of your strategic partnerships, potentially extending and applying the model to different locations/professional areas/etc.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Year Up

Pros – Very encouraging environment to work in. Hard work is needed to make it through each day. Be very driven to succeed.

Cons – Being a intern can be very challenging depending on the outside noise around you. Overall great experience. Must be prepared.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Year Up

Pros – Everything. Great place to work, friendly and tight nit staff.

Cons – Business attire. It is a professional company but I hate business attire. Very small con.

Advice to Senior Management – None.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Year Up full-time for more than a year

Pros – Invested in developing staff members and promoting growth within the organization.
Amazing CEO! Cares a lot about his employees

Cons – Can be selective on who they develop and how. Does not seem like everyone is granted the same opportunities.

Advice to Senior Management – Be more consistent on the opportunities you grant to staff members. Be weary of unconscious biases you may have.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend