Billal Virani loves College of DuPage because it was close to home, saved him money and gave him a fresh start.

“COD allowed me to gain leadership skills through student government (SLC) as well as go to a great four-year university that I probably would not have gone to otherwise,” he said. “Attending COD allowed me to have an internship locally at Merrill Lynch, which is where I work now.”

Virani, who loves economics because it can be applied to anything, transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics. He also earned an MBA from University of Iowa. He currently is a wealth management advisor and senior vice president with Merrill Lynch, and Forbes named him “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” for 2023 and 2024.

It’s very difficult to do everything at one time: take college classes, move away from home, learn how to live by yourself. College of DuPage gives you a way to transition into it so you can be successful. Go Chaparrals!

Billal Virani

“My ultimate goal is to be the best at what I’m doing now, which is service clients and help them through financial advice. I love hearing that I was able to help people feel better or understand their own financial lives, and I hope I can keep doing it,” he said. “Also, I want to be the best dad ever.”

As for COD, Virani advises students to just go for it.

“It’s a great way to transition to college rather than jump right in,” he said. “It’s very difficult to do everything at one time: take college classes, move away from home, learn how to live by yourself. College of DuPage gives you a way to transition into it so you can be successful. Go Chaparrals!”

Learn more about the Economics program at College of DuPage