femalenetwork.com

While planning and saving for the monetary part of education, I would like to remind all of us of a very important issue that we must take into consideration. I have been exposed to so many would-be-entrepreneurs who went to school taking up courses that they were not really interested in. So many just want a degree and "bahala na." During my school days, I recall that many adolescents found themselves suddenly in college without understanding what it is they really wanted to pursue and what their unique capabilities were. They just went to the school where either their friends were going or where their parents wanted them to go. They took up courses that were either the easiest or the most popular. Life was much simpler then and most of them were able to switch to their chosen profession eventually. This kind of a tolerant environment is no longer the case today.

Today, life is more complicated, competitive and expensive. Few would have the luxury of wasting so much time, effort and money in an education that was not really fit to their personality or that of their child. Thus, we should "dream" and encourage "dreams" in the minds of our children much earlier in life on what they want to be when they grow up. As parents and teachers, we must observe them more and guide them towards the field/s in which they seem to have the most capability to enjoy and succeed. They have to be preparing for their college education as soon as they step into high school. Another major reason why this is important is the competitiveness of entrance examination.

I have to emphasize the need for the child/person to "enjoy" a chosen field because one of the key elements of success is being happy in what you are doing. The technical aspects can always be learned and mastered but true satisfaction and happiness can only come from within.

FRANCISCO J. COLAYCO is an entrepreneur, a venture developer and financial advisor. He has over 40 years of experience that covers service contracting in the Middle East, manufacturing, trading construction, shipbuilding, management consulting, banking and financial services. He is the Chairman of the Colayco Foundation for Education (CFE) and the author of bestsellers: Wealth Within Your Reach (2004 National Book Award for Business and Economics), Making Your Money Work (Nominated in 2005, National Book Awards Business and Economics), Pera Palaguin Workbook and Money for Kids. The books are available at National Bookstore, most other bookstores or directly from CFE. He joins our website blog to share with ordinary income earners, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and students the simple principles to "Save what you earn and grow what you save." CFE conducts talks, seminars, and workshops. “Managing Personal Finances For The Future” a seminar-workshop developed in partnership with the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, Center for Continuing Education. June 21, 2008, Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. For registration and inquiries, please call Marleth Calanog at 830-2050. CFE is also the producer of the PISObilities DVD series, available at your favorite audio-video shops in May 2008. Learn more about the advocacy at http://www.colaycofoundation.com/, email info@colaycofoundation.com, via SMS +63917-8537333 or through (632)637-3741.