09/10/2026
Where can a strong foundation in mathematics take you?
For RSM alumnus Preston O’Connor, it has led to an exciting path in computer science, mathematics, machine learning, quantitative finance, and cybersecurity.
Preston first joined RSM in elementary school, when fractions were a challenge and mathematics was not yet a subject he enjoyed. What began as an extra math program quickly became something much more meaningful. With supportive teachers, challenging problems, and a classroom environment where students were encouraged to ask questions and learn from mistakes, Preston developed a completely new relationship with mathematics.
Today, he is pursuing dual bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics at UMass Amherst through the Commonwealth Honors College, along with studies in Applied Mathematics, Statistics, and Data Science. He plans to continue into UMass Amherst’s accelerated master’s program in Computer Science, specializing in Machine Learning and Data Science.
His experience extends well beyond the classroom. Preston has been involved in AI research, cybersecurity, software engineering, and quantitative finance, and is currently interning at Walleye Capital, a multi-strategy hedge fund focused on quantitative finance and artificial intelligence.
Preston credits RSM with giving him more than a strong mathematical foundation. It taught him how to think through difficult problems, persevere when the answer is not immediately clear, and truly understand concepts rather than simply memorize them.
Those skills have continued to make an impact throughout his college career. In fact, an unexpected connection to RSM even helped Preston become involved with UMass Amherst’s cybersecurity team. Several team members were RSM alumni themselves, creating an instant connection that helped open the door to a new opportunity. Preston eventually became one of the team’s officers and helped the team maintain its #3 global ranking.
And the advice he gives students today is advice he continues to live by:
Never compare yourself to anyone else in your class. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday.
Whether the progress is from a D to a C or from solving one difficult problem to the next, progress is something to be proud of. Everyone learns at a different pace, and the goal should be understanding, not simply being the fastest person in the room.
It is especially meaningful that Preston now shares this same advice with the college students he teaches as a TA.
From struggling with fractions in elementary school to working with machine learning, quantitative finance, and cybersecurity, Preston’s journey is a powerful reminder that where you start does not determine where you will go.
We are incredibly proud of Preston and grateful that he continues to be part of the RSM community.
