Quinn O'Malley '25, Oliver Small '25, and Josh Becher '25 have been at the helm of Shipley's Finance Club since their sophomore year, steadily growing the club and enriching its members with invaluable opportunities. Their most recent success was bringing in Tim Buckley, former CEO of Vanguard, to speak with students. “We’ve been trying to get Mr. Buckley for a while... Thankfully now his time has freed up a little bit more," Josh shared. “I think someone of Tim’s caliber with his experience offered us real-world, practical advice on what kids our age need. He didn’t try to make it just about his career. He made it as applicable to us high school students as possible.” Dr. Joachim Rebholz, Upper School Math Teacher and advisor to the club, praised the students’ leadership, saying, “I’m particularly impressed by how the leaders of the club were the driving force behind this speaker. The Shipley School cultivates student leadership by encouraging risk-taking, independence, and professionalism.” Tim Buckley’s advice was equally impactful. As Dr. Rebholz noted, “The advice wasn’t something sky-high, it was something they could use right now in their next interview,” underscoring the practical and actionable insights Tim provided to help students prepare for the real world.

 

In a fast-paced world that often values attention-grabbing statements and the latest trends, Tim Buckley, offers a refreshing perspective that cuts through the noise: “Be interested, not interesting.” As Tim shared with students, it’s not about presenting yourself as the most impressive candidate; it’s about being curious, showing genuine interest, and asking thoughtful questions. For students heading off to college, grappling with choosing a major or navigating their first job, it can feel like success hinges entirely on making the ‘right’ choice. But Tim encourages a shift in mindset—one that prioritizes genuinely caring about the people and the purpose of the work around them over impressing with flashy details. “It’s not about impressing people, it’s about showing interest,” Tim explained. He also stressed the importance of pursuing a “fulfilling” career over a “successful” one. His words challenge students to look beyond traditional markers of success—titles, income, or superficial achievements—and instead focus on building a career rooted in passion, purpose, and curiosity. Genuine engagement, he argues, will always outweigh the pursuit of superficial accolades.

FROM SURGERY TO BUSINESS

Originally, Tim set his sights on a career in medicine, drawn to the life-changing impact he could have as a doctor. He witnessed the incredible power of surgery, watching his own father perform operations that changed lives. Yet, despite the awe he felt, something was missing. “I was watching amazing things happen, but I couldn’t get past this feeling that surgery wasn’t my calling,” Tim shared. He realized that while he admired the impact of medicine, he lacked the passion necessary to pursue it long-term. This realization prompted a shift in his career trajectory. Tim ultimately transitioned into business, where he found a new kind of fulfillment—one that not only allowed him to make a difference but also fueled his personal growth and passion for leadership. At Vanguard, success wasn’t just about numbers—it was about making a meaningful difference. “Our job wasn’t to change the world, it was to help people retire in comfort and live their best lives,” he shared, highlighting how Vanguard’s mission resonated deeply with his own values. Tim emphasized, “The key to success is to have a cause that’s noble enough to keep you going when things get tough.” This leadership style helped lead Vanguard into becoming one of the largest and most respected investment management companies in the world. In an age where individual accolades are often celebrated, Tim made it clear that true leadership is about fostering a culture of collaboration, trust, and selflessness. “If someone’s putting themselves first, it undermines the whole team,” he cautioned, underscoring the importance of humility and support within an organization.

PRACTICAL ADVICE FROM A CEO

In the often nerve-wracking world of job interviews, Tim’s advice is refreshingly straightforward: Ask a ton of questions. He firmly believes that interviews are a two-way street, and candidates should view them as an opportunity to learn as much about the company as the company is learning about them. “There’s no such thing as a stupid question unless you ask it twice,” he quipped, emphasizing that curiosity is key to standing out as a candidate. Rather than feeling pressure to deliver a perfect pitch, Tim suggested that students approach interviews with a mindset of discovery. “When they ask you what questions you have, come back with something that shows you’ve done your research and care about the company’s purpose,” he advised. For Tim, the goal is not just to show you can answer questions, but to demonstrate you are invested in the company’s mission and values. By flipping the script, it shows that you’re genuinely interested in how the organization operates, the challenges it faces, and the role you can play in its success.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN THE MAKING

As the conversation came to a close, Tim shared his most valuable piece of advice for young professionals: stay curious and never stop learning. “The best thing you can do is stay interested and keep learning. As long as you’re growing and evolving, you’re on the right track,” he said, offering a perspective that prioritizes personal and professional development over immediate success. Tim urged students to embrace every opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills, reminding them that it’s not about having all the answers right away, but about committing to continuous growth.

For students, Tim’s words offer not only guidance but inspiration—reminding them that career success is not defined by the destination, but by the commitment to learning and growing along the way.

To watch the full video - https://youtu.be/HV8Irm7cFEY