Breadth Thrusts & Bread Crusts: Earn a CMT, Get a Community

JC Parets
April 21, 2022

From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

Someone recently asked me why I pursued the CMT (Chartered Market Technician) designation. 

Was it for personal growth or to open up job opportunities? To be honest, fifteen years after the fact it's difficult to fully recall every motivation that went into my decision. I can, however, clearly see the implications of that decision.

In many ways, this is similar to what happened when my family and I moved from the Milwaukee suburbs back into the city itself. We had our motivations and expectations, but none of that could have prepared us for what we have experienced in the wake of that decision.

It was 2008 and we were in the depths of the financial crisis. Plenty of uncertainty was in the air. We sold our old house literally days before Lehman went under and the financial system seized up. We thought we were just buying a house, one that our young family could grow into. It had "good bones" (as they say) but had been ignored for some time and needed (still needs) a lot of loving attention.

We didn't know it at the time, but we were also getting a community. It shows itself with big outward displays – annual block parties that now include a pig roast and Christmas parties that feature an entire two-block stretch of the street invited into one family's home for dinner and into another for dessert. But it’s also neighbors celebrating the highest of highs and together mourning the lowest of lows. We’ve forged friendships where no ask is too big nor too late at night. And we’re comfortable showing up at each other's back doors without notice.

Whatever my initial motivation for getting a CMT, it's brought with it more than I could have expected. The body of knowledge is useful, but the relationships have been invaluable. It’s the chance to share ideas, give feedback and offer perspective. But it is more than that. When I went through a career transition a couple of years ago, it was this community that reached out with support and encouragement and that I leaned on for advice and guidance. It was those conversations, frankly, that led me to where I am today. I thought I was just getting a certificate. I realized later that I was also getting a family.

I've been a part of this CMT community since 2007 but have never made it to one of its annual get-togethers. I was registered and ready to go in 2020, but COVID disrupted those plans. I'm looking forward to heading to DC next week to attend my first CMT Symposium. The way I see it, it will be a bit of a family reunion. 

 

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