When Mohammad Zaman joined our Workforce Prep Mentoring Program at Warren Mott High School, he was like many 11th graders; bright, capable, and just beginning to grasp what the future might hold. What he didn’t know then, and what few high schoolers truly understand, is that success in life doesn’t come from talent alone. It comes from structure, support, consistency, and belief in yourself, often sparked by someone else believing in you first.
“I was 17 and attending Warren Mott High School. I dressed professionally every Wednesday, showing up to the Winning Futures session, not really knowing what this was all about,” Mohammad recalled with a laugh. “At the time, I didn’t fully get it; building a brand, planning for the future. But I knew it was important.”
Mohammad was matched with volunteer Career Mentor Tzvetomir Todorov, Technical Delivery Manager at Alliance Inspection Management, who brought both professionalism and heart into the classroom.
“He was just a very genuine person,” Mohammad said. “He taught me how to enjoy the process, not just chase the result.”
That seed of wisdom, planted in a high school classroom by a volunteer Career Mentor who cared, would grow in the years ahead.
After graduation, Mohammad enrolled at Michigan State University to study computer science. He also joined our Years 4-7 mentoring program – a post high school program that pairs students one-on-one with mentors, designed to help them stay in continuing education and earn a degree or certificate. It’s a model that recognizes what we all know to be true: young adults still need guidance, encouragement, and someone to believe in them, especially when things get tough.
And for Mohammad, things got tough.
“I brought my high school mindset to college,” he said. “I thought I could study the night before and still do fine. And that worked for a while. But then sophomore year hit. The classes were harder, COVID changed everything, and suddenly I was failing for the first time.”
It was a pivotal moment. Mohammad began to question everything; his work ethic, his abilities, and his future. But he didn’t face it alone. His mentor, Bryan Howard, our Director of Programs, was there to help him reframe the challenge and rebuild his habits from the ground up.
“Bryan helped me realize I wasn’t being honest with myself. I’d say I was going to change, but I wouldn’t. He helped me create a daily routine, starting with something as simple as setting an alarm and getting up on time.”
That level of accountability made all the difference. Bryan would text Mohammad at 8:00 a.m. to make sure he was out of bed and headed to class.
“No professor ever did that. No coach. No one checked in on me like that. Bryan wasn’t just a mentor. He was a lifeline.”
“Together we put a plan in place that involved him getting up at 8 a.m. instead of rolling out of bed right before class,” said Bryan. “The first time I called and woke him up. I could tell it took him by surprise. After that he looked forward to the reminders and eventually didn’t need them. We then began looking at time management and created a plan that allowed him to allocate his time better and prevent burn out. Ultimately, Mohammad had the ability, he just needed a reminder of what can happen when you do the work!”
Mohammad went on to win our Cupp-Hamilton Scholarship and graduated from MSU with a degree in computer science. He’s now a Business Analyst at United Wholesale Mortgage, married, focused, and continuing to grow in new and unexpected ways.
“It’s funny,” he said. “I thought I’d be coding all day. But now I’m the middleman between engineers and the business team. I’m constantly presenting, translating technical needs into business solutions. It’s totally different from what I imagined, and it’s definitely outside my comfort zone, but I like it.”
He credits our program, and the mentors he had along the way, Tzvetomir, Bryan, Rana Mohamed of Braintrust, Christopher Gatis of Visteon Corporation, and Patrick Vondette of EW Grobbel, for giving him the confidence to step into this new chapter.
“Every one of them taught me something,” he said. “Bryan taught me consistency. Patrick taught me to stop downplaying myself. I learned to recognize my accomplishments, even the small ones. That changed how I see myself.”
“His view of himself and his capabilities needed a boost,” said Patrick. “I helped him realize that no employer expected him to be perfect and his skills were plentiful for a first job out of school. I asked Mohammad to trust in his own technical abilities and understand that his leadership and soft skills would be a differentiator in the workplace.”
And that transformation of Mohammad’s confidence, discipline, and purpose didn’t stop then.
“The program helped me a lot as a student,” he said, “but the impact went way beyond school. It helped me support my family, become a stronger part of my community, and bring a better mindset to my workplace. The ripple effect is real.”
Looking ahead, Mohammad sees himself continuing to grow; maybe starting a business, raising a family, giving back.
And one day, when his child is old enough to need some guidance, he knows exactly what he’ll say:
“Keep your morals straight. Don’t let anyone change that. And when things get tough, keep going. Stay consistent. You’ll see the results.”
Mohammad’s story is just one example of how our program transforms lives, one mentor, one student, one breakthrough at a time. When you support Winning Futures, through donations, sponsorships, or your time as a volunteer Career Mentor, you’re not just helping a student. You’re lifting up families, strengthening communities, and empowering tomorrow’s workforce.
Career Mentors are volunteers from the Metro Detroit business community who help high school students figure out what they’ll do after high school and learn important life and job skills. They attend one-hour sessions with students at their school and coach them through our structured and fun curriculum. Learn more and apply to be a Career Mentor!