From Omaha to Opportunity: Lessons from the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting

 By Vandit, Zicklin Graduate Alum

Vandit Kunapareddi at the Berkshire Hathaway 

Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska

Earlier this month, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. As someone who has admired Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger for years, being in the same room as Warren — even from a distance — was surreal. Warren began the meeting by saying, “This is my 60th annual meeting, and it’s the biggest, and I think it’ll be the best yet.” He was right.

This wasn’t just a meeting — it was a weekend-long masterclass in investing, humility, and lifelong learning. What struck me most wasn’t just Buffett’s investing acumen, but the culture of curiosity and community that he and Charlie have cultivated over decades. To be surrounded by tens of thousands of people — many of them highly accomplished — who still come with notebooks and open minds, eager to learn, was deeply inspiring.

As a Zicklin alum, I want to share a few reflections and pieces of advice that I took away from this experience — lessons that go beyond finance and apply directly to our lives as students and future professionals:

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1. Surround yourself with people who push you to grow.
There’s a well-known saying: If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. That couldn’t have felt more true during my time at the Berkshire Hathaway meeting. The people I met weren’t just intelligent — they were relentlessly curious, grounded, and constantly striving to learn more. As students, it's essential that we actively seek out peers, mentors, and environments that challenge us to elevate our thinking.

At Baruch, we’re fortunate to have access to incredible mentorship opportunities — whether it’s through programs like Executives on Campus (EOC) or external mentorship platforms like City Tutors. Take full advantage of these resources and make a habit of surrounding yourself with people who inspire you.

It’s also worth mentioning: don’t be afraid to invest in yourself. Some of the most valuable experiences — whether it’s conferences, networking events, or industry-specific summits — come with a price tag. As students, it can feel difficult to justify the expense, but the return on investing in your growth is almost always worth it. Being in the right rooms, with the right people, can change the trajectory of your personal and professional journey.

2. How you show up matters.
Whether we like it or not, people form impressions quickly. Dressing well and presenting yourself with confidence can open doors to conversations and opportunities. It’s not about being flashy — it’s about respecting yourself and the people you're interacting with.

3. Be a lifelong learner — and don’t just read, re-read.
Reading has always been important to me, but this weekend reminded me that depth matters as much as breadth. Charlie Munger often emphasized that re-reading great books, taking notes, and reflecting on them is how real understanding is built. Especially in school, where we’re constantly learning new things, take the time to revisit key ideas. The best lessons are the ones that stick with you over time.

4. Say yes to more conversations.
I’m usually more reserved in social settings, but something about the energy of the event pushed me to strike up conversations with as many people as I could. I learned so much from people in completely different industries and stages of life. Even when a conversation doesn’t feel directly relevant to you, it might be meaningful for the other person — or spark a new connection down the line. You never know where a simple “hello” might lead.

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To any fellow Zicklin students reading this: take chances on yourself. Attend that event you’re unsure about, talk to someone new, raise your hand in class, and most of all, stay curious. You don’t need to have it all figured out — even Warren Buffett is still learning at 94.

Attending the Berkshire Hathaway meeting has left a lasting impression on me, and I’ve made it a personal goal to return every year. It’s more than just an investing event — it’s a celebration of thinking independently, acting ethically, and striving for excellence.

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About:
Vandit was a MS student in Finance at the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, and graduated in 2024. He has a passion for investing, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning. He works at a health and wellness startup heading finance and operations. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/vandit-kunapareddi/