Our Impact
TUP is successfully helping Scholars launch high-potential careers after college.
The challenge: access to economic advancement
Earning a college degree is an important step toward economic advancement, but it doesn’t guarantee upward mobility. Without crucial assets such as internships, professional networks, and career guidance, even the most gifted students can struggle to translate their degrees into thriving careers. This doesn’t just limit their personal potential; it reinforces systemic inequities and deepens the wealth gap in Boston and beyond.
Studies have shown that:
First-generation students are twice as likely to drop out after their first year of college compared to their continuing-generation peers.
The starting salaries for graduates from lower-income backgrounds average $10K less than those of their continuing generation peers. And, these students only earn on average half as much over their lifetime as peers from higher-income groups.
Barriers to entry remain disproportionately high for fields such as business, law, healthcare/medicine, and STEM for students from underserved backgrounds.
Our results: creating economic mobility through college and career success
College Success
Strong GPA
TUP scholars maintain an average college GPA of 3.5 or higher.
High Persistence Rate
99% of TUP Scholars have graduated in 4 years, overcoming the national statistic that first-generation students are 2x more likely to drop out than continuing-generation students.
Career Success
Graduate with jobs
100% of TUP Scholars have accepted jobs or graduate program offers in the career field of their choice within business, law, healthcare, and STEM prior to college graduation.
Higher than avg salaries
Average starting salary for TUP Scholars is $65,000 compared to $45,000 for first-generation, low-income graduates nationally.
“Being part of The Upward Project has not only made me more aware of the opportunities around me, but has also helped me use those resources to grow both personally and professionally. Through ongoing résumé workshops, interview preparation, and insightful conversations, TUP has consistently supported me in navigating my internship and co-op search, as well as my transition into higher education.”
- TUP Scholar, Cohort 6
TUP PROGRAMMING AND ADVISING FOCUSES ON WHAT MATTERS MOST: HELPING SCHOLARS REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL
Internships matter!
100%
completed a career-aligned internship, program, or class three summers in a row
54%
accepted a full-time job offer from an employer where they interned
Networking matters!
100%
have landed at least one internship from a TUP connection
62%
accepted full time offers that came through our network
Financial resources Matter!
100%
have utilized TUP financial support to enable career and college opportunities
Our Scholars secure internships & jobs at competitive companies
Companies and organizations where TUP Scholars have worked include:
Business:
J.P. Morgan, Fidelity Investments, Capital One, Alliance Bernstein, Kearney Consulting, AlphaSights
STEM:
Oracle, Klaviyo, TELUS Digital, Toast, Via, Beacon Climate, Shawmut
Law:
Harvard Legal Bureau, Donnelly Conroy & Gelhaar LLP, Robin Legal AI
Healthcare:
Boston Community Pediatrics, Cambridge Health Alliance, MGH, Ragon Institute, MIT
Get Involved with TUP
There are many opportunities to engage with TUP and our Scholars, from networking connections to sharing about your field and career.
Fill out this short form to let us know how you would like to get involved.
