Hi everyone,
I’ve been struggling with this decision for months, and I’m hoping some of you here might be able to offer perspective.
I’m currently working full-time at a major bank in a Quantitative Research role — more specifically on the operational risk modeling side (cyber risk, internal loss projection, NLP-driven incident analysis, etc.). While the work is interesting, I’ve increasingly felt the desire to transition into a more front-office, market-driven quant role — ideally something involving trading strategy, portfolio construction, or asset management.
Over the last six months, I’ve been preparing for this career move — studying, applying, interviewing — but nothing has really clicked. Which brought me back to the idea of going back to school.
Right now, I’m strongly considering applying to Baruch MFE as a part-time student while continuing to work. I’m also looking at Columbia (MSOR part-time), NYU Stern (MFM), and possibly CMU MSCF (though that’s full-time only and much pricier).
But here’s the core of my doubt —
Am I making the right move?
My background is in Physics → Bioengineering → Data Science → Quantitative Risk.
My father, a self-taught investor, raised me to treat capital as something that can grow itself, and I’ve always admired that mindset. That philosophy, along with my own technical background, is what’s drawing me toward Financial Engineering.
But I can’t shake the fear that this might just be another pivot — and that I’m chasing a field I admire, but may not be deeply built for.
If any of you have been in a similar situation — coming from a semi-quant/risk/data role and transitioning into a true FE/Trading Quant track — I’d love to hear:
Thanks for reading this far — any advice or perspective would be appreciated.
I’ve been struggling with this decision for months, and I’m hoping some of you here might be able to offer perspective.
I’m currently working full-time at a major bank in a Quantitative Research role — more specifically on the operational risk modeling side (cyber risk, internal loss projection, NLP-driven incident analysis, etc.). While the work is interesting, I’ve increasingly felt the desire to transition into a more front-office, market-driven quant role — ideally something involving trading strategy, portfolio construction, or asset management.
Over the last six months, I’ve been preparing for this career move — studying, applying, interviewing — but nothing has really clicked. Which brought me back to the idea of going back to school.
Right now, I’m strongly considering applying to Baruch MFE as a part-time student while continuing to work. I’m also looking at Columbia (MSOR part-time), NYU Stern (MFM), and possibly CMU MSCF (though that’s full-time only and much pricier).
But here’s the core of my doubt —
Am I making the right move?
My background is in Physics → Bioengineering → Data Science → Quantitative Risk.
My father, a self-taught investor, raised me to treat capital as something that can grow itself, and I’ve always admired that mindset. That philosophy, along with my own technical background, is what’s drawing me toward Financial Engineering.
But I can’t shake the fear that this might just be another pivot — and that I’m chasing a field I admire, but may not be deeply built for.
If any of you have been in a similar situation — coming from a semi-quant/risk/data role and transitioning into a true FE/Trading Quant track — I’d love to hear:
- Is going back to school worth it at this stage?
- Is Baruch MFE a good launchpad for someone in my situation?
- Will part-time study + full-time work be a strength or a distraction?
- And more personally… How do you know when it’s a real calling vs. a phase?
Thanks for reading this far — any advice or perspective would be appreciated.
