“Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.” G. K. Chesterson.“Instruction ends in the school-room, but education ends only with life.” Frederick W.Robertson.The 21st century genius, Steve Jobs, who regretfully graced the world’s presence for only a short time, said in a graduating speech he gave at Stanford University in 2005 “he did not see the value in a college education (when he was young).”Not the message that parents or teachers want articulated to their idealistic young students.However, Steve Jobs was, to put it mildly a cut above the rest of us.He possessed two notable attributes in focused quantity, an insatiable curiosity to learn about ideas that interested him, and a momentous personal energy that drove him to implement those ideas into astounding financially successful endeavors.He was educated; he was on a perpetual discovery-learning mission.Along the way, he changed the world.Who among us does not know what the bite of an Apple silhouette represents and the pleasure that it has given millions who use these superb electronic machines?We talk about education here a great deal.We lament low scores and applaud high ones; we emphasize parental involvement; we laud great teachers, and we recognize students who are determined to succeed.We want an educated society. That is as it should be if you support both quotes above.But, what is education all about?My mother used to say when we complained about hating school, “everyone had a job to do”.Your job is going to school. Many others will often say what did it do for us, if anything?How many of you hated formal schooling, only to move on in life to the perpetual learning experience (yes, school) called work?Education is about getting a job! Supporting yourself. Earning, then buying what you want with your money. Realizing your own self-respect.Whether your education is traditionally formal, or learned by experience, no one can do anything if they do not understand how to figure out to do it.Problem solving, understanding the bigger picture in your working environment, and providing solutions is critically important.Your career (and your life) will be composed of uneven jogs, life situations, and every day demands that are sometimes simple, sometimes demanding innovative problem solving skills.Education is about choosing to succeed, using the personal resources and resilience that you possess.Is education then, simply a means to get what you want? Of course.In today’s world, with the thousands of redundancies here coupled with rapid changes in technology, you may not be able to plan on the education that you want, but instead will have to focus on the jobs that will be available.Does this mean that practicality overtakes dreams?Yes, and no. Today’s students and apprentices in the workforce should consider that they will have almost as many jobs as cat lives in their lifetimes.Very, very few individuals will remain at the same job their entire career, unless they employ themselves.If you are a student (and by the way, students are from all ages these days) and do decide to further your education, one criteria for success is keeping flexibility in curriculum choices.You want to receive an education that can be translated, or spring boarded in other areas.At a minimum, a course in basic business math, economics, investments, personal financial planning, and personal branding (to sell your skills) should accompany your social science major or other course concentrations.Investment monitoring, particularly in your pension no matter where you are or whom you work for - is your responsibility (except for government workers who are taken care of at our expense, but that is an article for later).If you do not pay attention to your investment managers’ performance and your pension providers, you can blame yourself for your pension shortfall when you reach retirement age.Even if you do not attend college, you should embark upon a course of learning basic life skills.How can you anticipate where your next career move will be, or manage a building project, or understand your car and house loan, or monitor your pension, if you do not understand business math, basic investments and how your economy works?If I had a large interested donor pledge, my wish would be to see that every single student in Bermuda took Craig Simmons’ economics course.Craig is a Bermuda economist and Senior Lecturer at Bermuda College and he regularly monitors and provides advice on the Bermuda economy.Once you have completed your courses whether technical, or university focused, resting on your laurels will do just that.Keep you right there, resting, while the more ambitious who moved on to further continuous learning will run by you.With 24-hour day connectivity to global networks, your job mandate is stay current with information in your field of expertise, and to continue with lifelong education.Finally, plan for a working career until very end of life!Will the jobs be there? You bet, because the generations before you will have gone to their reward, and your skills will be in short supply.Be ready to be the best that you can be!In 2005, Steve Jobs delivered the Stanford commencement address, “On your working life, your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.“And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.“Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.“And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it.“Don’t settle.”Steve Jobs revolutionized the electronic industry with a high school education, a passion for excellence, and a serious commitment to lifelong learning. May his memory live on in every Apple off the production line.***Source: Stanford Report, June 14, 2005, “You’ve got to find what you love,” Prepared text of the Commencement address delivered by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, on June 12, 2005.Martha Myron, JP CPA CFP(US) TEP, is an international Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner in private wealth management. She specializes in independent fee-only cross border investment, tax, estate, and strategic retirement planning services for Bermuda residents with United States and multi-national connections, and US citizens living and working abroad.She is a Masters in Law candidate in International Tax and Financial Services and member of the American Citizens Abroad Tax Advisory Council for Bermuda.www.americansabroad.org For more information, contact mmyron[AT]patterson-partners.com or 296 3528 at Patterson Partners Ltd.