James Lukezic - Connection Between Education and Future Income

Most of those who have experienced success in the financial field, similar to James Lukezic a former Cornell alumnus, would agree that there is an obvious correlation between someone’s education and their future earning potential.

 

Your Education Level Influences Your Mean Earnings
According to 2009 data, there is an obvious correlation between education and earning ability. The mean annual earnings for those without a high school diploma stood at $20.000. That amount increased by as much as $11.000 among high-school graduates. Those who attended college but failed to obtain a degree had roughly the same mean earnings (plus $1000 annually).

An associate college degree resulted in a $41.000 mean salary, a bachelor’s degree clocked in at $57.000, and a master’s diploma at $74.000. The mean earnings linked to doctorate and professional degrees came in at 2nd and 1st, with $103.000 and $128.000, respectively. These numbers show a clear correlation between education level and earning ability.

Education Is an Investment
It is rather obvious that education should be looked upon as a future investment that very likely puts a cap on someone’s earning ability. By obtaining a master’s degree, PhD, MD or law degree, one virtually guarantees certain opportunities that are usually only available to a select few. The higher the level of education is, the lower the chances of having financial problems.

James Lukezic notes that while not all situations were created equal, and while some will never get the chance to pursue a higher education, all of those who have a realistic chance at it should do everything in their power to achieve these goals.
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James Lukezic - The Role of the SEC

As someone who has worked in the financial and investment field for many years, James Lukezic understands the role of the SEC quite well.

The SEC (‘Securities and Exchange Commission) was created by the United States Congress to monitor the American stock market. It holds supervisory power that extends to insider deals, as well.

Foundation

The organization was founded in 1934 in the middle of the Great Depression, five years after the infamous Black Friday when Wall Street crashed. The hope behind the process was to restore the lost confidence in the capital markets. The organization wanted to achieve this by monitoring every phase of the financial processes, making sure that the companies (as well as the brokers and dealers) conduct themselves in an honest and ethical manner.

The Whistleblower Program

The whistleblower program was created after the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act, and is arguably the most powerful “weapon” in the hands of the SEC. It offers high rewards to those who share information that ultimately leads to certain law enforcement actions.

Organizational Structure

The president appoints the five commissioners, and one of them is elected as the chairman. To make sure that no political group can gain too much influence, it is mandated that a maximum of three members can come from the same political party. The organization consists of five divisions and has a grand total of 23 offices. The duties include interpretation and enforcement of certain financial rules, as well as overseeing the securities market and coordinating the regulatory processes.

As an experienced fiduciary, James Lukezic cannot emphasize just how important the role of the SEC is.
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James Lukezic - Importance of Volunteerism

As someone who consistently volunteers to help various special needs organizations, James Lukezic understands the importance of giving back. As much as this process is about the aspects of giving and not necessarily about getting something in return, the volunteers benefit from the practice, too.

 It Helps You Strengthen Relationships

Sharing an interest with someone is a special bond that can fuel relationships between people from all walks of life. If you volunteer with someone who you’re already in a relationship with, the bond between the two of you can strengthen even further. Volunteering also strengthens your ties to your local environment.

It Improves Your Interpersonal Skills

Having advanced interpersonal skills is one of the most relevant tools in a work environment. If you become a volunteer, you will frequently meet with a group of people who share at least one, but likely many more interests. That makes this process very similar to those that are usually present in a work environment.

It Helps You Bond with Your Family

If you have a young child or children, volunteering together can offer even more advantages. It is well-known that a child often learns certain patterns from their close environment. Showing some social sensibility is important because it teaches them to care for others and develop empathy.
Most frequent volunteers, such as James Lukezic, believe that pursuing this passion is the most rewarding when it comes from a place of genuine concern. However, if more people were to realize that the process can also offer actual advantages to the volunteers, the organizations would be in much better shape.

James Lukezic - Becoming an Expert Sommelier

James Lukezic is a fine wine expert who regularly holds wine tasting events in New York City. Becoming a highly coveted sommelier like him requires the simultaneous presence of skill and devotion. But how to actually start? Here are a few tips.

Learn the Process

You can start by signing up for a wine tasting course that will help you learn some basics. While one’s taste can vary when it comes to wines, the wine tasting process – by professional standards – remains the same.

The Five Main Characteristics

How sweet is your wine? What about its acidity level? How dry it is? What kind of fruits can you taste in it? What can you tell about its body? Learning to find and differentiate these characteristics in a wine will allow you to accurately pin-point its vintage and to determine its quality.

Attend a Seminar

Once your taste bulbs are capable of recognizing previously mentioned qualities and you develop a core base for the abilities you will need as a sommelier, attending a seminar is definitely the next step. If you find the right place with a good reputation, they can likely show you every trick in the book. How you have to concentrate on the feel at the top of your tongue when tasting to determine a wine’s sweetness, or the fact that a wine with a higher viscosity clings onto the side of your glass a little longer.

There is such a thing as a natural in wine tasting, but even if you have that innate ability with finely-tuned senses like James Lukezic, attending a course can help you to utilize your skills better.
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