While the students taking part in the Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day got lots of practical advice and a firsthand look at the operations of some of the biggest and best agri-businesses in the world in the form of Novus, Pfizer and Monsanto (all conveniently located in the St. Louis area, some of the most valuable education these Missouri Colleges Fund scholarship recipients got was the intangible advice handed down.

And trust me, they were listening to this advice that would be as valuable to a livestock feed researcher or a young journalist. For example, look at Hannah Crain, a sophomore from Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, Mo., studying secondary education with an emphasis on biology. She said she learned there’s so many opportunities in the science world out there, and you have to grab those chances while you can. She echoed what one of the presenters at Novus told her and the group of students about letting someone or something define who they would become.

“No matter where you come from, don’t let your title define you. Put into it what you want to get out of it. And no matter what your background is, you can succeed.”

As I said, it’s pretty sage advice, and it’s good to know these young scholars were listening.

And you can hear more of what Hannah had to say by listening to my interview with her here: HannahCrain1.mp3

2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set