Navigating Success as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford: Tips from an Entrepreneurial Perspective

As a first-year Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, you are uniquely positioned to excel both academically and personally, leveraging a network that could yield exponential returns throughout your career. Drawing from my experiences as a seasoned entrepreneur, fund manager, and quantitative trader, here are some actionable insights to help you succeed:

Cultivating Relationships

Your peers are among the brightest minds in the world. Invest time in building deeper connections with them. Think of it as diversifying your portfolio—it can lead to more opportunities. Engage in conversations and collaborations that may seem off the beaten path. You never know when they might lead to your next big idea.

Maximizing Resources

Oxford is a treasure trove of resources, from libraries to seminars led by industry leaders. Approach these like a savvy investor looking for undervalued assets. Prioritize initiatives and materials that offer the highest potential return on intellectual capital. Seek out hidden gems and leverage them to your advantage.

Balancing Academics with Extracurriculars

Don’t just focus on your degree. Engage in extracurricular activities such as societies, sports, or even networking with alumni. This will enhance your skills and provide liquidity to your social capital. As a former male model, I found that participation in diverse environments fosters creative thinking, which is crucial for navigating complex challenges.

Embracing Failure

In finance and entrepreneurship, losses are part of the game. View setbacks as opportunities for learning and recalibrating your strategy. This mindset fosters resilience and positions you ahead of the curve in making informed decisions in high-stakes situations. Examples from the finance and tech industry demonstrate that failure can be a valuable learning experience.

Staying Agile

The ability to adapt to new information and shifting circumstances is paramount. Just as in the fast-paced world of trading, where market sentiment can change rapidly, be prepared to pivot your academic and career goals as new opportunities arise. Flexibility can be the key to success in a constantly evolving environment.

In short, approach your time at Oxford with the same discipline and strategic thinking you would apply in managing a high-performing portfolio. Make every encounter and experience count, and don’t shy away from taking calculated risks. If you can navigate this phase effectively, you’ll be primed to achieve not just success but exceptional results.

Robert Kehres is a seasoned entrepreneur, fund manager, and quantitative trader. He holds a BA in Physics and Computer Science from Cambridge and an MSc in Mathematics (Distinction) from Oxford.