Mentors
StreetWise Partners offers critical career development mentorship for adults seeking internships and employment. As a mentor you can serve as the bridge between their life experiences and the career that they dream of. Our mentors teach our mentees how to identify, prepare for and seize career opportunities.
of mentors report that they would refer the program to a friend.
This is Your Time
to help build the workforce of tomorrow.
Gain a Mentor, Bridge Your Success
StreetWise Bridge is our one-year mentoring program that provides 1:1 career development support to adults from under-served communities. Today, professional skills and networks are just as important as an education but they are not distributed equally. Where you grow up, go to school and whether your parents are college educated make a difference, sometimes 12x the advantage in gaining access to opportunity.
How it Works
We match you with a mentee. We guide you through our curriculum.
You empower your mentee. You watch your mentee succeed.
During your one year with StreetWise, you will provide a bridge to success.
Navigating the StreetWise Bridge
Spend 13 weeks with your mentee and StreetWise, teaching critical job preparation skills including:
Understanding their inherent “strengths” through the Clifton’s Strengthsfinder Assessment
Developing targeted career maps
Crafting professional resumes and cover letters
Designing stand-out LinkedIn profiles
Building industry knowledge and language
Practicing interview and networking skills
Arranging four informational interviews
“A lot of our role is less tactical and more about offering perspective, talking through things, and providing an open, empathetic ear. I’ve loved watching Shade gain confidence in her qualifications and her ability to articulate them.”- Ben Stanley, Mentor
Activating the StreetWise Bridge
Now that your mentee has learned the fundamentals needed to secure employment, it’s time to activate their career steps on StreetWise Bridge.
You will provide:
9 months of continuing mentorship
additional 1:1 coaching
Introduce your mentee as appropriate to people in your network
Support their job and internship searching with additional guidance and preparation
“It’s inspiring and breathtaking to see how a mentee grows and develops throughout the program. Even midway through the cycle, it can feel like you’re talking to a totally different person, as they start to carry themselves with more confidence.” - Maya Wilson, Mentor
Beyond the StreetWise Bridge
We are alongside you for life! Your mentee will be invited to our Bridging the Future Events that are held monthly, and we will provide them with opportunities to engage with global corporations.
Join an Information Session.
Apply Online.
Interview with StreetWise staff.
Employment Verification.
Acceptance and mentee match.
Attend mentor training.
The Process
What Mentors Gain
Joy in watching their mentees launch their careers
Advanced leadership and management skills
Experience as an advocate
A diverse MBA-level network
You don’t have to be an expert.
Everyone has something to offer a mentee. If you can check these boxes, you’re a great fit:
a role model of professionalism
commitment to the mission
an open-door to your networks
responsive to your mentee and StreetWise staff
at least 2 years professional experience
empathy for the needs and experiences of your mentee
“We all have expertise in something and we can all help in some form or fashion. Every cycle, I find out more about what I can provide to others. This program helps mentees, but mentors grow a lot from doing it as well.”- Gagan Vaseer, Mentor
