As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm teaching a class in Creativity and Innovation at San Diego State University this semester. At yesterday's class meeting, while entrepreneur guest speaker Krista Kokjohn-Poehler was describing her creative process at Becky Bones, I considered two particularly important things that my students stood to gain as a result of their education: a network of potential business colleagues and partners among their fellow students, and real-world business contacts. In the case of my class, the second part of that equation -- the real-world contacts -- come in the form of the guest speakers who (like Krista Kokjohn-Poehler) have agreed to make presentations to my class.

I know that I am personally open to answering questions or sometimes even helping out random people who ask my advice via phone or email. The people presenting to my class are also similarly open in many cases to hearing from my students at some time in the future. They will answer questions, give advice, mentor, and sometimes offer an internship or paid position to particularly promising young men or women.

Businesspeople -- entrepreneurs, company owners, and others -- have a lot to offer to the next generation of businesspeople who will follow in their footsteps. I invite you to get back to school, and to offer your own unique expertise, stories, and experience to the students you'll meet there. Not only will you be helping them as they make the decisions that will determine their future careers, but they may very well help you as you look for new ways to grow your own business.