Empowering futures: Mentorship supports business students
“We’re planting seeds to recruit the future of banking and enhance financial education among young adults as they prepare for life after college,” says Latoria Robbins, Synovus relationship banker in Athens, Georgia.
Robbins recently visited the University of Georgia’s Black Business Student Association as part of a broader mentorship effort through the Campus & Early Talent Attraction initiative in partnership with the Synovus African American Employee Resource Group. Along with Mary J. Brown of Atlanta, Robbins spoke to nearly 30 students, sharing valuable insight into the banking industry and financial education lessons they can use in real-life scenarios.
The AAERG and other employee resource groups strive to foster meaningful connections with future leaders, bridge educational and professional gaps and promote greater inclusion in banking. Networking can help college students stay focused on their studies and play a key role in their career trajectory. According to mentoring.org, 74% of adults who were mentored in college express that their mentors contributed significantly to their success later in life.
At the UGA BBSA event, students learned what makes a successful interview, discussed entrepreneurship and more. They also received information about careers available in the banking industry, Synovus specifically. Because so many students are primarily familiar with consumer retail banking, Robbins, Brown and other Synovus team members explained the different areas within banking, such as mortgage, wealth management and commercial banking.
“I’ve been mentoring teenagers and colleagues throughout my career in the industry. Often, I don’t realize I'm mentoring others simply by talking with them because it’s been a natural part of what I’ve done for so long.”
Trey Wilson, a UGA business major and BBSA president, plays a significant role in facilitating the connections between the two groups. “Meeting with the Synovus professionals really opened my eyes to career paths beyond the traditional consulting and investment banking routes,” the sophomore says. “This isn’t just a sponsorship; it’s a real, evolving partnership, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
The relationship between the BBSA and Synovus AAERG encourages students to consider banking as a viable profession. For example, in June, one BBSA student will enter a six-month IT NextGen cohort where she will learn to deliver insights and solutions that enhance client partnerships at Synovus.
“I’ve been mentoring teenagers and colleagues throughout my career in the industry,” Brown says. “Often, I don’t realize I'm mentoring others simply by talking with them because it’s been a natural part of what I’ve done for so long.”
This connection and the students’ enthusiasm motivate the ERG to return whenever the opportunity arises. “The students really want to learn more about banking careers, and we look forward to sharing our experiences with them,” Brown says.
This year AAERG team members will attend the Atlanta Black Intercollegiate Networking Event. This annual conference unites over 200 underrepresented student leaders from more than 10 colleges and universities in the southeast region. As a platinum sponsor of the event, AAERG members will participate in the Company Engagement Panel to inspire the next generation of banking leaders.
Read more about how Synovus team members are enabling people to reach their full potential.
