Bermuda's students were urged this week to choose a career that they loved rather than opting for a career based solely on the financial benefits.

David Ezekiel, president of the Association of Bermuda International Companies, encouraged the students at the Future Leaders of Bermuda networking event on Monday to follow their dreams.

"In choosing your career, choose something that you love. Don't let money be the deciding factor," he said.

"Work for what you love. You want to get up every morning loving what you do."

Mr. Ezekiel added that time should not be a factor in their career decisions and encouraged them to be in for the long run.

Education Minister Terry Lister said the numbers at the event had increased three-fold from last year, with 175 students signing up for the networking event.

Visiting all Bermuda's schools he said he was impressed by what students as young as five were doing on computers.

"They could run circles around many of us," he said.

The business and school representatives ranged from a cable company to a Canadian hairdressing school.

Apex Fund Service officer manager Wendy Dill said she had spoken to many students who were looking at studying business.

"These students are so focused on their future ? I was very impressed," she said. "They know what they want."

Logic Communications chief technology officerWayne Scott said the event gave students exposure they might not otherwise get until at college. He also said he was impressed with the students' computer knowledge.

Chiropractor Dr. Reid Robinson said he was attracted to the field after attending a career fair held at his Canadian high school.

"Before then, I didn't know what I wanted to do," he said.

Tanya Pirozzo and Elaine Weir were over from the Marco College, in Toronto.

They said they had spoken to numerous young people, but unfortunately none who wanted to study hairdressing.

Student Brenda June Millett was talking to Lynne Winfield, assistant company secretary and office manager of Australia Japan Cable and involved in the Ewan Sampson Scholarship Fund.

Brenda said that she wanted to become a microbiologist.

Ms Winfield encouraged Brenda to find out how many jobs for microbiologists were available on the Island.

Kelly Ann Robinson plans to attend Acadia University, in Canada.

She said: "I currently have a job at Solid Rock Construction where I work every other afternoon and on weekends.

"Working there helped me to decide on studying business administration."

Berkeley Institute student Shanaya Smith said: "I'm not sure exactly what I want to do, but journalism seems interesting."

Her friend Giulia Azzario, 17, said she was not sure what she wanted to study.

Serina Bailey, 17, said she wanted to do something with design.

"I want to be either a fashion designer or an architect," she said."I plan to go to the Bermuda College for two years to gain my Associate's degree before I continue my education abroad."

Theresa Roque, 15, said she wanted to be a psychologist.