What will you share with the next generation of innovative St. Louisans?
By Victor1558, via Creative Commons

Members of the Regional Business Council’s Young Professionals Network continually look for ways to improve the region not only for today, but also for the future — and what represents the future more than talented, eager college students? Long after we’ve retired, these students will be the ones to lift St. Louis to a new level of innovation during the years to come.

But how can we best guide our students to lives of creativity, business sense and civic mindedness? One way is to mentor them, serving as role models for their professional or personal lives.

Many of us have benefitted from the wisdom and care that a mentor provides. Perhaps it was a professor who encouraged our hidden gifts, a business director who nudged us into leadership roles or a confident friend who coached us through poise and style. Regardless of the niche, someone kindly took the time to answer our questions and model the qualities that would enable our successes.

And now it’s our turn. January is National Mentoring Month — the perfect opportunity to make a difference in a young person’s life, just as someone did for us. There are many ways to become a mentor in St. Louis, including the RBC’s own Higher Education Collaboration Mentor Network as well as regional outlets. It’s a great way to share our experience and passion with students who are just as ambitious and talented as someone knew we were all those years ago.

How did a mentor enhance your own life or business path? Email your stories to ypn@stlrbc.org, and we’ll share a few in future blog posts. Let’s nourish St. Louis’ young talent together.

Kathy