by StreetWise Partners
February 10th, 2026

As a first-generation college graduate with a physics degree, Misa did everything she was told would lead to success. Her family immigrated to the U.S. when she was young, and education was always framed as the key to stability.

But after graduating in 2022, amid the disruptions of COVID, Misa found herself underemployed and unable to pivot out of her previous career for over a year. She was unsure how to translate her STEM background into a career that aligned with her values. She was applying to hundreds of jobs, but didn’t hear back from anywhere. “It was exhausting and discouraging,” she recalls. “I knew I was capable, but I lacked direction.”

“I knew I wanted to do meaningful work, but I felt overwhelmed by how many paths were in front of me.”

That changed when Misa joined the StreetWise Bridge program in Winter 2024. Through one-on-one mentorship with Daniel and guidance from multiple volunteers, she learned to shift from a quantity-based job search to a focused, strategic approach. With Daniel’s guidance, she defined a clear mission statement, pinpointing her interest in energy, engineering, and impact, and built a plan around it.

Through the Streetwise Bridge program, Misa refined her resume using the APR bullet framework, practiced mock interviews, and learned how to network with confidence. Most importantly, she discovered an industry she hadn’t known existed: energy efficiency and sustainable building operations.

“Mentorship gave me guidance when there were too many paths to choose from,” Misa says. “It helped me make confident decisions and find a career that truly fits.”

Within two months of completing the program, Misa secured a role as an Energy & Sustainability Data Analyst for CBRE on a finance institute's account. Today, she analyzes energy usage across offices worldwide, helping reduce carbon emissions and guide investments in sustainability projects. She’s also taken on a part-time data analytics instructor role, paying her success forward by supporting others on similar journeys.

You can be that guiding force. Become a mentor today and help talented professionals like Misa turn uncertainty into opportunity.