The End of Due Your Diligence

A thank you and farewell

• September 2020: I join my college’s student-run investment fund

• February 2021: I began live-streaming my thoughts on the stock market

• Summer 2021: I start a podcast to document my opinions on events in the markets

• December 2021: That podcast becomes this newsletter; I began publishing investment ideas, first in long-form reports and later simplified to one and two-page stock pitches

The reason behind each of these endeavors was the same. I knew I needed to do more to put myself in a position to earn a full-time job in the asset management industry. It was my dream for years, but this was my proverbial “big push.” I couldn’t sit back and wait for an opportunity to fall into my lap. I had to be proactive and chase it down.

Nearly 30 months later, with countless nights at my desk sending cold emails, researching, and writing in the books, that dream has become a real future that I can’t wait to get started with. I have exactly two months until my commencement, but I can proudly and happily say I will be working as an Equity Analyst beginning this summer. It was a long journey, and certainly not stress-free. At a few points, I could’ve chosen the safe route and accepted a role for “security” even though I wouldn’t be doing work I truly cared about. But if you’re truly passionate about something and put the work in, you should bet on yourself instead of playing it safe. Those are words from professors and mentors, though I echo them to anyone in a similar position. It will be scary at times, but things work out in the end.

As I write this, I have about four months until I’ll be working with stocks in a full-time role. And while learning about companies, their competitive positions, and attractiveness as investments are my lifestyle, I have a period of time I can use to see loved ones and be around those I care about that I may not have for decades afterward. This, however, means the end of Due Your Diligence. While I may share a blurb here or there in the coming months, and possibly one last charity event, I’m going to use the spring and early summer to finish my Master’s degree on a high note, travel the country to see friends and family, and hopefully convince a landlord that I’ll be a good tenant.

I also have a lot of thank yous to share. One goes to everyone I was fortunate enough to meet and learn from as a result of this newsletter, several of which I’ve been lucky enough to meet in person. Other than getting a job, my intent in making Due Your Diligence was to meet and learn from others; you’ve all given me that, and I’m grateful. Another thank you goes to those who shared opportunities with me. From the first person to ever give me a shot to those I met through cold emails about stocks I was researching, I wouldn’t have been able to get started, let alone get to where I am today without you (while acknowledging I’m still at the bottom of a mountain of knowledge and improvement that I aspire to spend my life trying to climb). A special thanks also goes to the now over 500 subscribers to this newsletter. Your time, thoughts, and comments have helped me better prepare to be a professional investor. Lastly, and definitely not least, a big thanks to those in my personal life for their support. From professors and friends sharing advice, to my girlfriend who has always encouraged my passion, and my family for always believing in me. I’ll never be able to state my gratitude for you all enough.

This stage of my life has been a wonderful journey thanks to everyone that’s been a part of it, and I can’t wait to enter the next phase of that journey this summer. With that, I say goodbye. I wish you all nothing but the best.

Sincerely,

Strat Becker