Date graduated: ___________

Every time you fill up a form seeking your credentials (for a loan, job application, your children’s school forms, etc.), they often ask you about your graduation date.

I am fortunate enough to cite three dates: 1992, BS Physics; 1994, MS Physics; and 2004, MBA.

Thinking about it, though, neither of those should be the answer. The answer should instead be “Never.”

We never stop learning. Actually, that’s why graduation is really called “commencement” which means a beginning. It is not the end but the beginning. Beginning of what? Beginning of more learning.

Whenever you find yourself in a new job, a new environment, or simply facing a new challenge, you become a student all over again.

• You pose a question.

• You ask experts.

• You read books.

• You set up a hypothesis and prove or disprove it

• You gain insights and learn.

• You ask another question and repeat.

I want to believe that I know what I’m talking about. I’ve been around. I’ve studied at 4 universities, worked across 7 companies in 6 industries, and held at least 10 different roles.

It has been a heck of a ride, and the end is nowhere in sight.

So the next time I’m asked “Date of Graduation,” maybe I’ll answer “work in progress.”