Though math, science, and language abilities will always be important, the actual “future-proof” abilities are those that enable students to adjust as fields change. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy are at the top—because regardless of the field, individuals will need to collaborate with technology, interrogate information, and make informed decisions.

No less significant are soft skills: emotional intelligence, teamwork, and communication. In a global future where AI and automation perform technical work, it’s the capacity for working with others, leading with heart, and deciphering complicated human contexts that will differentiate people.

And then there’s creativity. The careers of the future may not even be imagined yet, so it’s more important to teach students to envision, create, and learn forever rather than memorize information that can be Googled in a second.

Short version: Schools should equip students not only for a “first job,” but for a lifetime of learning and relearning. Since the future won’t pay off for those who know everything—it will pay off for those who can continue to learn, unlearn, and relearn.