MS CS or MFE to get into Quant

[nuraV]

Barring QR/QT, which masters is the best for getting to a high-paying quant role. I'm asking this because I've come across various outlets that show recruiters often look for MS CS grads as opposed to MFE students

 

[Andy Nguyen]

That means employers are seeking candidates who can contribute on day one which many MFE graduates generally are underprepared.
You don't need stochastic calculus or any of the generic stuff you learn in MFE program.
You need to know how to work with large data set which means SQL queries knowledge, Python scripts or debug skills in C++.
Many MFE grads do not invest enough on their technical skills needed. MFE core knowledge is very similar across programs but the hard skills is where some people make a lot of money and the rest struggle to even get an interview.
So, either MS CS or MFE has its pros and cons. The key is the technical skills that you build, in addition to other mandatory steps: networking, interview skills.

 

[nuraV]

That means employers are seeking candidates who can contribute on day one which many MFE graduates generally are underprepared.
You don't need stochastic calculus or any of the generic stuff you learn in MFE program.
You need to know how to work with large data set which means SQL queries knowledge, Python scripts or debug skills in C++.
Many MFE grads do not invest enough on their technical skills needed. MFE core knowledge is very similar across programs but the hard skills is where some people make a lot of money and the rest struggle to even get an interview.
So, either MS CS or MFE has its pros and cons. The key is the technical skills that you build, in addition to other mandatory steps: networking, interview skills.

I'm currently doing undergrad in CS and Financial Math. For my electives, should I take Stochastic Calc for Finance 1/2, or focus on machine learning/data mining electives?

 

[YuminWu]

I'm currently doing undergrad in CS and Financial Math. For my electives, should I take Stochastic Calc for Finance 1/2, or focus on machine learning/data mining electives?

Depends on what kind of role you want to be. Options Pricing -> Stochastic Calc, Data Scientist -> ML/DL, ...