Engineer with MASc and JD (patents) need advice

[Phoeniyx]

Hey guys. Need some advice here. I have a Bachelors and Masters from a top Engineering school in Canada and worked as a programmer for a few years. Have experience with signal processing, simulations, etc. etc. In terms of C/C++ proficiency, I am probably a 9 out of 10. General math proficiency wise, I've always been pretty good at that. Top 50 in Canada in a few math contests back in high school, etc.

About 3 years back, I may have made a bit of a career mistake because I went to law school. Pretty heavy into patent course work and did my internship in them as well. But, sadly, the field is not very stimulating for me. Not what I expected it would be like. And to be honest, I miss some of my programming.

Thinking about a career switch to finance. I will be 33 when I will be able to make that switch if possible. I can't go back to school again, just not financially feasible. What are my options? I started studying for the CFA and the material looks decent enough. The hope is to knock of L1 in December and L2 in June.

Suggestions/advice/chances, all welcome. I will be looking in the Toronto, Canada region.

Thanks everyone.

 

[aaronhotchner]

I took CFA L1 December 2011 and thought I had a shot at L2 June 2012. It was my senior year in college, so I kind of gave up on that idea. Then I went to grad school and thought I had a shot at L2 this June. It was a one year master's and I was also focusing on getting a job, so I kind of gave up on that idea. Now the earliest I can take it is next June, 2.5 years after L1.

The point I'm trying to make is that it might be a little hasty to start planning out multiple exams before you've even really started learning finance. Granted, you've got three degrees in as many decades, so maybe you'll actually pull it off. But most (enthusiastic) people go into CFA thinking they'll do L2 6 months after L1, and most of them don't make it.

If you want a career suggestion, quant development. The JD is likely not beneficial for anything you'd be interested in within finance.

 

[Phoeniyx]

Oh I am not planning out the multiple exams per se. Still reading L1 material. Not trying to be overconfident or anything - but one still has to plan.

In any case, I am not sure if quant development is the way to go for me - wouldn't that require a lot of formal financial specific math training like a MFE? Looking at the CFA content, that's NOT very hardcore math. There is a lot of theory, but I would be shocked if financial instruments are designed with this level of math.

In terms of the JD, given I have a lot of experience with patents, wouldn't me targeting Venture Caps / Private Equity kind of organizations make sense? There is a lot of money exchanging hands these days based on patents. Surely, someone who can appreciate the finer details of patents has a place in such an organization? (outside of being purely a lawyer)

Thx.

 

[aaronhotchner]

Quants need a lot of financial math training. Quant developers need to be able to understand what a quant says on some level, but ultimately are responsible for programming.

I guess I made the mistake of assuming your goals because you're posting on quantnet. You could certainly add value in private equity, but I've very intentionally stayed away from the universe of corporate finance, so I can't help you there