In this present generation you become valuable and respected when you become the final solution of people problems or challenges, no body cares about you if you can't fix there issues, most of the world richest men In Present time attained that level because they were able to fix global challenges through technology.
However, as a young man or woman coming up and aspiring to be great, think out of the box, try to find out what people need at the present time, make research on global issues and try fixing it and bet me the sky will be your start point.