Shivani Elitem

Good afternoon, Class of 2025.

I’m Shivani Elitem, and today, we close another chapter of our lives.

College has been a mix of struggles and unforgettable memories. I’m sure many of us have pulled all-nighters, submitted assignments at 11:59 p.m. and still did it again the next time. We’ve had our fair share of group projects where one person inevitably did all the work. And no matter how much effort we put into a hackathon, there was always that one team that somehow did better! (Just kidding.) But looking back, these moments — the stress, the exhaustion, even the failures — will soon become some of our favorite memories.

When we first arrived at college, many of us had big expectations — maybe inspired by movies — thinking it would be all fun, friendships and success. But what was the reality? It’s a whole different experience. I know this because, at first, I didn’t have many friends. I used to sit under the stairs in the Sciences Building, watching people walk by, laughing with their friends, and wondering if I’d ever have that. Eventually, those days did come — whether it was meeting people through organizations, having a simple conversation with a stranger or even making unexpected friendships over Discord. Little did I know that these people would leave a lasting impact on my life. And as we set off on our new journeys, don’t forget — the friends we made here, the ones who were with us through it all, are only a phone call away. The paths we take may be different, but the bond we share will always remain.

Reflecting on the friendships I’ve made these past years, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that everyone’s path is different. Life isn’t always fair, and we don’t all start from the same place. But giving up on yourself because of that only makes things harder. And trust me — no one really knows what they’re doing! What works for one person may not work for you, and that’s OK. Their success doesn’t mean your path is any less valuable. Instead of worrying about whether you’re on the “right” path, focus on making the most of the one you’re on.

If you ever find yourself at your lowest, remember — things can only get better. People don’t realize how much life can change in just one year. But as Jim Rohn said, “If you want things to change, you have to change. If you want things to be better, you have to be better.” Success doesn’t just happen — you have to put in the effort.

Try a million things if you need to. Sometimes, all it takes is one person’s “mistake” — oops, I mean “opportunity” — to get you hired!

That said, I also want to remind you — quitting is OK, too. If something is draining your happiness and health, stepping away isn’t failure — it’s self-care. At the end of the day, your journey is yours. Do what’s right for you, and it will lead you to where you’re meant to be.

If you had told me four years ago, or even just a month ago, that I’d be standing here giving this speech, I would have laughed. As someone who struggled with class presentations, the idea of speaking in front of all of you seemed like a nightmare. So, why am I here? Like Jim Rohn said, “If you want to be better, you have to put yourself in situations that make you better.” And here I am, stepping outside my comfort zone and seizing an opportunity. Just know, if you’re good enough to be selected for something — like I was for this speech — then you deserve to be there. Let’s put our self-doubts aside and lead like it was meant for us. And even though I’m standing here, incredibly anxious, I’m doing it anyway. At the end of the day, we shouldn’t have any regrets or “what ifs.”

So, whatever it is — do it scared. Do it unsure. Do it exhausted. But most importantly, do it anyway.

Thank you!

Shivani Elitem is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in computer science, accompanied by a certification in data science. As a member of the esteemed Collegium V Honors Program, she has consistently demonstrated academic excellence — earning a place on the dean’s list and receiving both academic success and competitive scholarships. She has served as a UTD Student Ambassador and helped guide new students through the Freshman Mentor Program. Her involvement extends to organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers, Rewriting the Code, Women Who Compute and Break Through Tech AI, where she has advocated for greater representation and inclusion in the tech industry. Professionally, she brings valuable experience from her roles as a software engineering intern at Discover Financial Services and as a backend developer at the startup Routora. She has collaborated with Google engineers to build a machine learning model predicting YouTube video virality and competed in a national AI challenge focused on promoting equity in dermatological diagnostics. She also has earned certifications from institutions like Cornell Tech and UT Dallas. Following graduation, she aspires to pursue a career in artificial intelligence and machine learning — driven by a passion for ethical innovation and building technology that makes a difference.