by StreetWise Partners
January 15th, 2026

When Muhammad joined StreetWise Partners during the Fall 2021 cycle, he was a motivated college student navigating an uncertain professional landscape. Studying economics and data analytics at Baruch College, he was deeply engaged on campus, but the pandemic made career exploration and networking feel distant and unclear. 

“Everything was virtual,” Muhammad recalls. “It was easy to feel disconnected and unsure of how to break into the professional world.” 

Muhammad first learned about StreetWise through a student organization focused on professional development. Encouraged by peers with similar goals, he applied to the program, a decision that would shape not only his early career, but his long-term professional mindset. 

With guidance from his mentor, Ash Bhatnager, Muhammad refined his resume, practiced mock interviews, and learned how to navigate professional conversations with confidence and clarity. That preparation paid off when he secured a junior-year summer analyst internship at Fitch Ratings. During his senior year, he interned at Symphony, a communications platform widely used in financial services, which led to a full-time role as a Customer Success Associate. 

Looking back, Muhammad sees mentorship as far more than a steppingstone to a first job.

“The long-term impacts of mentorship become much clearer with time,” he reflects. “It isn’t just about getting a first job or internship; it’s about a lasting shift in a person’s professional DNA.”  

In spring 2025, Muhammad returned to StreetWise as a mentor, investing in the community that once invested in him.  By then, the skills he had developed through StreetWise had been tested and proven in the workplace, giving him the confidence to translate lived experience into actionable guidance for others. 

As a mentor, Muhammad supported his mentee, Protoy, by drawing from his own journey, offering practical advice on resumes, interviews, and career exploration. When Protoy landed a full-time data management role, the impact of mentorship felt tangible and deeply rewarding. 

Mentoring has also accelerated Muhammad’s own growth as a leader. “It forced a shift in how I approach challenges,” he shares. “Instead of reacting, I’ve learned to articulate solutions and navigate complex workplace dynamics with a clear head.”  

Today, Muhammad represents what’s possible when mentorship creates a culture of support that continues to multiply. “I now see my mentees paying it forward,” he says. “That’s how you know the impact lasts.” 

This is your chance to make an impact. Become a mentor today and join mentors like Muhammad to help shape the next generation of talent.