How often have you answered a question by relating an experience you had in your career? And how often have you helped a student see a situation in another way or a more meaningful way by sharing your personal experiences in that same, or a similar, situation. I find that bringing in a personal experience, be it my own or a students, is more powerful than just discussing the situation from a strictly mental viewpoint. Usually, a class will grasp the answer faster, and will become engaged quicker, adding their own thoughts, or bringing up another concern or question, perhaps even deeper than the first. That's when the class becomes especially stimulating for everyone. And, I imagine it helps the students have a chance to envision themselves already involved in their new career. Do you use personal experiences on a similar way with students?