Below is most of the graduation speech I gave to the University of Illinois MSFE program this past December. A couple people suggested I put this out as a blog so here it is. Enjoy.
I’ve had the privilege of working with the University of Illinois MSFE program for years. Context Analytics has sponsored close to ten practicum groups, and we’ve been fortunate enough to win four or five times. Watching alumni build impressive careers — often through nothing more than a LinkedIn update — has been a quiet joy. This program prepares people to succeed, and it shows.
So, when I was invited to speak at graduation, I felt two things: genuine excitement for what lies ahead for you… and, if I’m honest, a little jealousy.
Let me explain.
The First Wave of Opportunity
When I graduated college, two major technological shifts shaped my early career.
And no — it wasn’t the invention of the light bulb or the combustion engine.
I’m dating myself here, but the first shift was the broad adoption of computers. At my first job at Oppenheimer Investments, I didn’t have a computer. I didn’t even have an email address. As computers became standard, new tools for quantitative analysis emerged — Lotus 1‑2‑3, Excel, VB. That wave created enormous opportunity for anyone willing to learn.
The second shift was the move from floor-based trading to electronic trading. Electronic trading needed coders. I discovered I could code, and that skill accelerated my career in ways I never could have predicted.
The Next Wave Is Even Bigger
Today’s graduates are standing at the edge of something even more transformative:
These aren’t incremental improvements. They’re quantum leaps. And while they’ll create challenges for many, they’ll create opportunities for you — because you have the foundation to take advantage of them.
That’s the source of my excitement.
And Here’s the Jealousy
Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. You’re standing at the starting line. I’m somewhere around mile 20.
When I think back to my own race — the twists, the hills, the storms — I realize those difficult stretches were often the most rewarding. They shaped me. They taught me. They made the finish line meaningful.
As I’ve run my race, I’ve learned a few things I wish I’d known earlier. Consider these mile‑markers for your own journey.
1. Say Yes to Opportunities
Robert Frost wrote:
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
The road less traveled is where the growth is.
When opportunities come along — say yes. Even if they seem crazy. Especially if they seem crazy.
You’re early in your marathon. You have time to recover from missteps. You have fewer responsibilities. You have more flexibility than you’ll ever have again.
I could not have started my first company if I had waited.
2. Don’t Make Decisions From Fear
This one comes from my grandfather, a serial entrepreneur:
Every time you make a decision based on fear, it’s the wrong decision.
Our brains are wired to exaggerate negative probabilities. Fear protects us — but it also limits us.
Look at opportunities objectively. Then refer back to point #1.
3. Show Up
Remote work is a convenient remnant of COVID, but for someone early in their career, it’s a trap.
Go into the office.
Here’s why:
If you’re in a satellite office, visit headquarters. Build real relationships.
4. Keep Learning — and Get Uncomfortable
Growth lives outside your comfort zone.
I set aside time every week to learn something new — a technology, an article, an open-source tool. I earned an MBA and a CFA. I took programming courses on the side.
The pattern is simple:
If it scares you a little, it’s probably worth doing.
5. Keep Trying: “Impossible Just Takes a Little Longer”
One of my team reminded me of a quote I use often:
Impossible just takes a little longer.
Some of the world’s greatest innovators failed repeatedly:
You don’t fail until you stop trying.
6. Have Interests Outside of Work
This isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.
Hobbies keep you energized, reduce stress, and make you interesting. People want to work with interesting people.
Zishan, for example, won the Big Ten billiards championship while earning his MSFE and still plays semiprofessionally. That matters.
7. Don’t Compare Yourself
Social media is a highlight reel. Your life is the behind‑the‑scenes footage.
You will never win that comparison.
Run your own race.
8. Build a Life, Not Just a Career
This one isn’t for everyone, but for me, family has been my anchor. My wife has supported every chapter of my career and is deeply involved in my current company. My kids bring joy and perspective.
Whatever your version of “family” is — cultivate it.
9. Enjoy the Race
Your marathon is just beginning. Look around. Take in the scenery. Embrace the hills and the storms — they’re part of what makes the finish line meaningful.
Good luck to you all.
