Mentee Spotlight: Meet Kesner Jean
Curated & Edited by Lyra Yang of
StreetWise Partners
Published: October 21st, 2026
What was your professional life or job search like right before you found StreetWise Partners? What were the biggest challenges or frustrations you were facing?
Before finding StreetWise Partners, I was looking for opportunities where I could bring together my background in political science, community outreach, international affairs, and humanitarian work. I had built a diverse career across Haiti, Argentina, and the United States, working with government institutions, international organizations, and vulnerable communities. I also have a passion for writing and have developed myself as an author, but I sometimes struggled to communicate how all these experiences connected into a clear professional direction. Networking was another challenge. I could meet important people but often felt too shy to follow up, and I knew this was causing me to miss valuable opportunities.
Kesner Jean Mary is a Spring 2026 StreetWise Partners Bridge graduate living in New York City. Throughout the program, Kesner demonstrated professionalism, perseverance, and a willingness to ask for guidance when he needed it. He approached challenges with accountability, responded thoughtfully to feedback, and remained committed to following through on his career goals. His adaptability and determination reflect the growth-oriented mindset that StreetWise Partners seeks to foster.
In the Q&A below, Kesner reflects on his career journey before and after joining StreetWise Partners Bridge program, the experiences and lessons that shaped his professional path, and the advice he hopes will encourage other job seekers as they pursue their own goals.
Tell us about your mentor. What made your connection with them unique or special? What was the best piece of advice they gave you? How did the broader StreetWise Partners community support your growth?
My mentor Maire is an incredible person, very human, compassionate, and genuinely committed to helping young professionals recognize talents they may not yet know how to use. From our very first meeting, we connected. She helped me understand how to better use and present my experience, knowledge, and background. She also helped me understand that my different experiences could become strengths rather than seem disconnected.
One of the biggest lessons she taught me was how important it is to stay connected with people you meet professionally. Before StreetWise Partners, I could meet someone important and then feel too shy to reach out afterward. That hesitation caused me to lose opportunities. Today, I feel much more confident contacting people, maintaining relationships, and building my professional network.
The broader StreetWise Partners community gave me encouragement and a space where I could learn, ask questions, and grow alongside other professionals. StreetWise Partners helped me understand that career development is not only about finding a job; it is also about learning how to communicate your value, build meaningful relationships, and have confidence in your own abilities. As someone who has worked across different countries and cultures and who also values writing and storytelling as an author, this experience helped me better understand how all parts of my background can contribute to my professional identity.
Tell us about your current role, your organization, and what you love about it. Looking back, how did Streetwise Partners and your mentor directly help you land this role?
Today, I am working as a Case Manager with Fedcap Group in New York, supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and economic instability. My career has allowed me to combine my background in Political Science, community outreach, humanitarian work, and multilingual communication to advocate for people and connect them with resources. Looking ahead, my goal is to continue building a career in humanitarian work and public affairs, where I can help vulnerable and underserved communities access resources, opportunities, and the support they need. I would like to use my international experience, knowledge of public affairs, communication skills, and experience working with diverse communities to contribute to meaningful solutions. StreetWise Partners Bridge program and my mentor helped me recognize the value of my experiences and gave me greater confidence in presenting myself, building relationships, and moving toward the career I truly want.
What is one piece of advice you would pass along to other job seekers?
My advice to other job seekers is not to underestimate the value of your own story. You may have skills, education, professional experience, or talents that you do not yet know how to present or turn into opportunities. Be open to learning from people who can help you see your strengths differently. I would also encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and stay connected with the people you meet. I used to be shy about reaching out to important professional contacts, but I learned that building relationships is part of building your career. Believe in what you bring to the table, and do not be afraid to let people see it.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
What made my StreetWise Partners experience especially special was that it helped me connect the different parts of who I am a Political Science graduate, a case management professional, someone with international and humanitarian experience, a multilingual professional, and an author. My mentor helped me understand that these experiences are not separate pieces; together, they tell a story about what I can contribute. More than simply helping me with my career, StreetWise Partners helped me become more confident in my voice, my experience, and my ability to connect with others. I am grateful for the people who believed in my potential and encouraged me to believe in it too.
💡Inspired by Summer's story? You can help participants build confidence, strengthen their professional networks, and pursue meaningful employment and career mobility.