Energy, Transformed: YearUp United

Growing up in Philadelphia, Carnel Harley was known as an athlete. He played football and basketball through college and prepared for a shot at the NFL, but he began questioning whether that was the future he truly wanted. “I was living the life that other people wanted me to live,” Carnel said. “But what did I want to do?”

After an ankle injury disrupted his NFL prospects and his great-grandmother passed away, Carnel found himself working warehouse jobs and living out of his car. “I didn’t want jobs anymore,” he said. “I was ready to step into a career.” A LinkedIn ad eventually led him to Year Up United’s Accelerated Model, where he began training in information technology.

Through Year Up, Carnel developed technical skills alongside resume building, networking, and communication. He is now completing an internship as an Information Security Analyst at TE Connectivity. “The unconditional support, guidance, and love there helped me find my true self and really tap into the skills I possess,” he said. “Year Up really elevated my belief in myself.”

Carnel hopes to build a career in cybersecurity and eventually launch a nonprofit that helps others discover their own potential. “I want kids to know that they are limitless,” he said. “Anything is possible.”