Celebrating 20+ Years with Year Up United
At Citizens, our commitment to workforce development and upskilling is a promise to unlock potential and create lasting impact for our colleagues, customers, and communities. We believe there's more than one way to build a career. That's why we support microcredential programs like Year Up United, which help talented individuals gain job-ready skills and hands-on experience that can open doors to meaningful roles. For more than 20 years, our partnership with Year Up United has helped close the Opportunity Divide by expanding access to meaningful careers and strengthening the talent pipeline in the communities we serve.
Year Up United works to ensure young adults have the skills, experiences, and support to break through barriers and achieve their potential. Together, we're helping translate that mission into real career momentum through skills-first training, professional development, and hands-on experience that prepares participants for long-term success.
The Year Up United Impact at Citizens
When opportunity is expanded, outcomes change. That belief has guided our efforts with Year Up United for two decades. Year Up United’s work centers on equipping young adults with the skills and support needed to access economic mobility, while employers strengthen the workforce by tapping into motivated, career-ready talent.
Since 2005, our work with Year Up United has resulted in meaningful outcomes:
- 400+
interns have completed Year Up United internships here
- 85%
of interns have graduated from the program
- 58%
have secured employment with us
- 100+
Year Up United interns are part of our Citizens team today
We're proud to have been inducted into Year Up United’s Opportunity Hall of Fame, honoring champions across the public and private sectors who've invested in closing the divide between company hiring needs and untapped talent. Together, we're creating an environment where that talent can thrive, building pathways, investing in potential, and supporting the next generation of professionals with experiences that translate into careers.
"It's critical that we ensure the Opportunity Divide is narrowed, the playing field is leveled, and that folks who have the talent but might not have access to opportunities or resources are given the help they need."
Susan LaMonica
Chief Human Resource Officer, Year Up United Board Member
How the Program Creates Career Pathways
Year Up United’s Career Pathways model helps participants build foundational professional skills and in-demand technical skills, paired with opportunities to gain real-world experience.
Our interns have the chance to apply their learning throughout the organization, supported by managers and teams who are invested in their growth. This experience helps participants build confidence, expand their networks, and develop the tools to navigate a long-term career in financial services and beyond.
What participants gain through the program:
- Professional exposure and on-the-job learning in a corporate setting
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Skills-first development that supports career mobility and readiness for in-demand roles
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Coaching, community, and a network that supports ongoing growth
The skills I gained during the YUU program continue to influence my work every day. The focus on community building and teamwork has stayed with me and remains an essential part of how I show up as a colleague. These lessons have helped me forge meaningful connections over the years and have made me a stronger, more collaborative professional.
The program exposed me to career possibilities I hadn’t considered and gave me hands-on experience that broadened my skills. It helped me land my current role. The job description called for at least six months of corporate experience and social media exposure, both of which I gained during my internship. Even today, I still benefit from the relationships and connections I made.
We believe that by investing in professional growth and creating meaningful community partnerships, we help people unlock opportunities and shape brighter futures.
Learn more about our commitment to workforce development.
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How Microcredentials Can Unlock Skills and Employment
Learn how Citizens is building a future-ready workforce with partnerships and support for short-term, skill-specific learning programs across the country.
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What can a microcredential do for you?
Hear from Citizens colleagues who took the leap. Learn how microcredentials helped them grow, pivot, and succeed.
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Community
Being good citizens is at the heart of who we are. See how Citizens supports and strengthens communities, learn about banking careers and search our jobs.