When Robert finished college, he quickly got a good job that paid well. Most people would be thrilled, just like his well-educated but not-so-wealthy dad. His poor dad believed that having a secure job and working hard was the only way to become wealthy. However, rich dad, and Robert too, had a different perspective. After working for about six months, Robert left his job and joined the Marine Corps to learn how to fly. His poor dad was confused, but his rich dad supported his decision. Why? Not because he wanted Robert to be reckless, but because he understood Robert’s intention. Robert wasn’t seeking a stable paycheck; he was searching for opportunities to learn and grow.

Rich dad had always emphasized the importance of having a wide range of knowledge and skills to make money. Robert was working to learn, not just to earn because he knew that making money was the ultimate goal for his assets. Poor dad didn’t get it. He believed that specialization, focusing on one specific area of expertise, was the way to get rich. In academics, as you become more advanced, your area of expertise becomes narrower. For instance, doctors often specialize in fields like orthopedics or pediatrics after graduation.

While specialization works for some people, it didn’t help poor dad much. Even with a Ph.D., he didn’t significantly increase his earnings. On the other hand, rich dad, who never finished eighth grade, encouraged Robert and Mike to gain experience in various parts of his businesses, like restaurants, construction, sales, and marketing. The goal wasn’t to find one specific career path but to equip them with diverse skills and knowledge needed to become wealthy. That’s why the sixth and final lesson is: Don’t just work to earn; working to learn is even more important.