Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos.
Hi Carlos, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I guess you could say everything started when I was 16 years old, back in Venezuela. My dad offered me a job at his engineering consulting company, and from that moment on, I was expected to work and be productive at a young age. I worked all through my last year of high school and my five years of college, learning the business from the ground up. By the time I graduated, I had done almost everything at the firm, and a few months later, I was offered the position of Head of Administration, a role I truly enjoyed for several years.
But deep down, I knew something was missing. I wasn’t passionate about engineering, I wanted to pursue something that genuinely inspired me. So, I packed my bags and moved to Valencia, Spain, where I earned my Master’s in Sports Management. It was one of the best decisions of my life.
Of course, life rarely follows a straight line. I ended up in Miami, Florida, in 2015, a city that I now proudly call home. Once in the U.S., I was determined to find a role in sports. I didn’t want to settle for anything else. But as a newcomer without connections, it wasn’t easy.
Then, one day, I came across a job posting on Craigslist, of all places! It was for a Marketing Assistant at a college recruiting company that helped student-athletes earn athletic scholarships. It sounded perfect, so I applied, and got it.
The company was called University Sports Program (USP), and back then, it was literally a garage-based startup. I was employee number two, working alongside the founder, Thomas Anderson, and my colleague Oscar Miranda, who’s still with us today. From there, we worked tirelessly to grow this small company into what it is now: a team of 20+ passionate professionals helping hundreds of student-athletes from around the world secure academic and athletic scholarships in the U.S.
Over these past ten years, I’ve held just about every role at USP, and today I serve as General Manager, proudly leading our incredible team and driving the company into the future of college recruiting.
In many ways, my story is also the story of Venezuelan immigrants, one of perseverance, adaptability, and hope. I’ve been very fortunate to find an organization that believed in me, but I’m even more inspired by the incredible work ethic and talent of so many Venezuelans who continue to make their mark around the world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I can’t say it’s been a smooth road, but I also wouldn’t call it a struggle. What I’ve learned is that getting started anywhere new is always hard. Those first 12 months in the U.S. were especially challenging, and I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of others.
My wife and I arrived in Miami together, a young, recently married couple, full of dreams but with zero resources, connections, or experience. Thankfully, our family in Miami welcomed us with open arms, and along the way we found incredible people who believed in us and gave us opportunities to grow.
There were definitely tough days, moments of uncertainty, frustration, and feeling powerless, but we were never hopeless. We never lost sight of why we were here: to build a better future, to start a family, and to create something meaningful. That conviction has always been our driving force, and even today, it’s what keeps us moving forward.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m currently the General Manager at University Sports Program (USP), a college recruiting company that helps student-athletes from all over the world earn athletic and academic scholarships to study in the United States.
At USP, we specialize in guiding families through every step of the college recruitment process, from building a personalized recruiting strategy and connecting with college coaches, to managing applications, scholarships, and the transition to college life. What makes our work truly special is that we’re not just focused on getting students into college, we’re focused on finding the right fit for each one, where they can thrive both academically and athletically.
One of the greatest joys of my 10 years at USP has been watching our students grow beyond college into thriving professionals. During this time, I’ve seen nearly 1,000 students placed into U.S. universities (984 to be exact!). This is thanks to the incredible dedication of our USP Team, who pour their hearts into making these life projects possible.
At the end of the day, what drives me is seeing how our work changes lives — not just for the athletes, but for their families, their communities, and sometimes even their countries. It’s a privilege to be part of something that meaningful.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice would be: never believe you’re less than anyone else. You might not have all the tools, resources, or background that others do, but that doesn’t make you any less capable. If you stay curious, keep learning, and do the work, you will stand out.
And just as important: show up. The power of showing up consistently is underrated. Be present, be reliable, and keep showing up, even when things feel uncertain or progress seems slow. Most opportunities in life happen simply because you were there, ready to take them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://myusp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my.usp/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-usp/
Image Credits
Christopher Balbi
