This week wanted to share a great asset for St. Louis and St. Louis businesses that we are involved with on several levels.

Webster University’s Walker School of Business has an amazing program called the Walker EDGE. EDGE stands for Explore, Develop, Grow, and Experience. This professional development and internship program targets undergraduate Webster students seeking degrees from the Walker School of Business, and it “offers multiple opportunities for professional development to help you stand out from the competition” according to Rebecca Spear, the director of Walker EDGE.  All students complete 3 modules, either online or in a “live” session.

Participants are provided with many opportunities that benefit and nurture future business leaders.  An internship provides students with practical work-experience in a local or international setting. Students are also paired with a Webster Alumni, CEO, or a top executive from the Regional Business Council Mentor Network. Participating students also receive help with mock-interviews, personal branding, and a variety of excellent workshops led by industry leaders.

While the St. Louis business community has been very supportive of Walker EDGE students, finding a place for them to live is challenging. “One of our biggest needs is for families to host our international students. Using long-term housing rentals isn’t cost effective, and it doesn’t provide students with the insights into our social and business culture that living with a host family can provide.” It was through being a host family that Steve and Ronda first became associated with Walker EDGE.

“A friend of ours from church had been asking me if I wanted to participate for a long time. She had been head of the Walker EDGE for 30 years and continually worked to bring more St. Louis families and business people into the program”. Ronda said. “Since that very first one, we’ve had many exchange students live with us and the experience has been incredible. We stay in very close touch with all of the students. We not only learn about their country, but also so much about our own as we get to see it through a fresh pair of eyes.”

For more information on how you can participate in this great program or volunteer your time and/or knowledge contact Rebecca Spear at 1-314-246-6912 or by email at rebeccasp73@webster.edu.