Aileen Oliva is a Year Up United graduate from the Greater Boston Area who found confidence, career skills, and a path forward with Year Up United—and now paves the way for new interns at Harvard Business School.
Can you share what you were up to before starting the Year Up United program?
Aileen: Before starting the Year Up United program, I had just graduated from high school and was feeling lost. Everyone around me seemed to have their life mapped out—where they were going to school, what they were going to study, and I had no idea what I wanted to do. I tried attending college for a year, but I wasn’t sure about my major or the kind of future I wanted for myself. I eventually decided to leave school, because in some ways, I felt I wasn’t mature enough to handle it at the time. I spent a year at home without a job, helping take care of my younger siblings, and trying to figure out what my next step would look like.
What was your experience like in the Learning & Development phase of the Year Up United program?
Aileen: At first, I was excited but nervous. I didn’t have much work experience, and I was worried I wouldn’t fit in. But the program ended up being a great match for me. I learned so many essential career-readiness skills—like written and verbal communication, problem-solving, networking, and time management—that I still use today.
Were there any specific challenges you faced during the program? How did you overcome them?
Aileen: Absolutely. One of my biggest challenges was adjusting to the pressure. Year Up United sets high expectations because they know we’re capable of achieving a lot, but it was tough at first. I was taking in so much information, and it could feel overwhelming. I’ve always been stubborn, so asking for help wasn’t easy for me. But over time, I realized that asking questions and seeking feedback wasn’t a weakness—it was part of growth.
How did the coaches at Year Up United support you throughout the program?
Aileen: The coaches were amazing. There was a time when a family member passed away while I was in the program, and they were so understanding. They gave me the space to grieve and didn’t make me feel like I was falling behind. They also helped in other ways - whether it was teaching me how to navigate public transportation for my internship or advising me on how to style my professional attire. They even connected me with resources to help defer my student loans. The staff at Year Up United went above and beyond, which made me feel truly supported.
What was it like landing an internship at Harvard Business School?
Aileen: Surreal. Harvard Business School was a place many of my peers wanted to intern at, so when I got the news, I was beyond proud of myself. But I was also intimidated—the Harvard name carries so much weight. Once I started, though, I realized the fear was mostly in my head. The team was welcoming, and I got to wear many hats, from scheduling to helping with newsletters and setting up workshops. Year Up United prepared me well for balancing different responsibilities in my internship.
Now that you work full-time at Harvard Business School, how does it feel to be on the other side, working with interns?
Aileen: It’s a full-circle moment for me. Now I get to support Year Up United interns, just like I was supported. I help run a lunch series for them, which includes networking opportunities, insights into Harvard Business School departments, and best practices for the workplace. We also invite Year Up United alumni who work here to share their stories. It’s so rewarding to be able to give back and watch the next generation grow.
“Aileen started with us as an intern without much work experience, but she brought her positive, open attitude and Year Up United training. We were lucky enough to be able to hire her after her internship, and it’s been wonderful to see her use both that training and the openness to learning new things as she has taken on more responsibilities within human resources. She keeps the “human” part of her job at the forefront while handling the more tactical “resources” part well.”
Sally Robinson
Director, Human Resources, Harvard Business School
What’s next for you?
Aileen: Right now, I’m taking classes at Harvard Extension School to pursue my bachelor’s degree, which is a big goal for me. Professionally, I want to continue growing in my role at Harvard Business School and helping more Year Up United interns succeed. A true passion of mine is helping people become the best versions of themselves. Ultimately, I want to keep making a positive impact wherever I go and make sure young adults know that you can change your path at any time. It’s never too late to find your way.
Harvard Business School has been a Year Up United partner since 2003 and has hosted over 100 interns to date. In 2017, Harvard Business School co-authored the report “Dismissed by Degrees” with Accenture and Grads of Life, the first piece of research to uncover the true cost of degree inflation to business and advocate for a shift to skills-first practices. Since 2017, Grads of Life has expanded its thought leadership practice to become the full-scale advisory, consulting, and thought leadership practice of Year Up United, working with partners like Harvard Business School to showcase the potential of young, diverse talent who lack college credentials but bring the skills, experience and growth mindset to take companies into the future.