Tim Cook’s Tribute to Steve Jobs: A Letter to Young Innovators

Today would have been Steve Jobs’ 71st birthday. In honor of this, the Steve Jobs Archive, initiated in 2022 by Tim Cook, Jony Ive, and Laurene Powell Jobs, released “letters to young creators” from various figures who knew Steve Jobs and wished to celebrate his entrepreneurial vision. Tim Cook, who took over as Apple’s CEO in 2011, is among those paying tribute today. A rare message from designer Jony Ive is also included.

Apple’s current CEO, who shared the above photo on X, addresses the youth seeking inspiration. Here is his letter fully translated:

Dear colleagues,

When I graduated from college in 1982, I was eager to start a career in technology. I was captivated by the potential of innovations and technological advances, and I knew how much I wanted to contribute to it. I worked at IBM and then at Compaq, and for 15 years, I worked hard and learned a lot. But it wasn’t until 1998, on a memorable day, that my desire to be part of a truly inspiring project was finally realized. That day, I met Steve Jobs.

I will never forget our first conversation. At that time, Apple was going through a tough period, and Steve was working to steer the ship right after his return. Many doubted the company’s survival, and I had been warned that taking a job there was risky. But from the very first words Steve spoke, my fears were alleviated. I had never met someone so passionate and visionary. He spoke with charisma and clarity about a future where technology would unleash endless human potential and creativity, connecting and elevating us in ways he hadn’t even fully imagined yet. To achieve this, he needed a group of deeply curious individuals, ready to work hard for something greater than themselves. I knew I had to be part of that journey.

In Steve, I found an extraordinary mentor who inspired me to grow and surpass myself in new and meaningful ways. By joining Apple, I traded a job for a mission, a mission that still drives me today. It was undoubtedly the best decision of my life.

At the beginning of your career, you will also have decisions to make. And you will make them at an extraordinary time, as technological advances open new vistas and opportunities for talented people like you.

It’s an exhilarating prospect, but I know it can also be a source of anxiety. How do you know which path to take? How do you know if you’ve made the right choice? If it’s any consolation, know that you are part of a long line of remarkably brilliant individuals who, at your age, also didn’t have the answers to these questions. And that’s perfectly normal. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that the future is unpredictable, even as we do everything we can to shape it. So, as you envision your future and the winding path before you, remember that the question to ask is not “What will happen?” but “Who will I be when it does?”

I hope you will be among those who seek meaning and purpose in their work. I hope you will appreciate the beauty of contributing to something important to the world and the magic of serving others. I hope you will surround yourself with those who fuel your passions and that you will always keep the flame of your curiosity burning. Above all, I hope you never doubt your ability to achieve extraordinary things and recognize that there is only one way to do that: together. I believe in you and look forward to helping shape the world of tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Tim Cook