Sincere Questions from a top NYU graduate.

[ccxxmmm]

Hi, I am a senior undergraduate student at NYU, and I am graduating in a semester. I am a math major and computer science minor. I have 3.8+ GPA and plenty extracurricular activities, and I am confident enough to say that I am the top 5% in math and computer algorithm in entire NYU(Undergrads in NYU are actually not that bright in math/CS, I am guessing NYU top5% can translate into average math major in a top ivy school? ). I am not an IMO or Putnam genius, but I rank myself in the second tier after that group of people. As for programming skills, I know python, C++, VBA, MySql etc, but programming isn’t my strongest suite. I am much better at algorithm than actual programming.

As I am graduating in half a year, I have been navigating different job opportunities. So far, I have considered 3 choices.

Actuarial Consulting (I know I can get into the best actuarial consulting firm because I did an internship with a top firm.) I know this is a great job with very decent paycheck and reasonable hours, but I have a feeling that I am a little bit smarter than being an actuary (It maybe takes an average NYU math major to be an actuary.)

Banks (Since I don’t have any finance, econ background, and I am not from ivy. I can only get into back offices such as operation. I know this because I had some interviews with banks. )

Trading/Quant (I don’t have any experience with trading or investing and I have zero knowledge about marketing/trading strategy etc. I just started to look into this field because I heard it’s very mathematical and a lot of money). I am guessing that I would like trading/quant better than the first two choices because it’s more intellectually challenging.

So my questions for you:

1. How do you compare my three choices (top actuarial consulting, Wall Street back office, potential quant)?

2. Say if I want to go for trading/quant, how should I get there?

(I am thinking that I’ll apply for all the undergrad trading/quant jobs, and if I don’t get anything, I can get into a quantitative PhD program. I prefer PhD rather than MFE because I don’t want to pay that much tuition).

3. Say I want to get into a PhD program, what major should I do in order to land a quant job?

4. Apart from these 3 choices, did I miss anything else? Or what general suggestions/comments do you have for me?

Thank you in advance for you carefully written answers!

 

[mhy]

Your post sounds both arrogant and lost. That attitude isn't going to get you anywhere. Why don't you take a step back and think about what it is that you really want to do?

 

[Ken Abbott]

Also, if you're going to demand "carefully written answers," you need to start with a carefully written (and gramatically correct) set of questions.

 

[pingu]

I am much better at algorithm than actual programming.

This means you are probably not good at either programming OR algorithms.

 

[SadKillarrious]

Since your are letting us decide what you should do with your life, I think you should try starting your own trading desk because no one will want to work with you with that attitude nor are they smart enough anyways in your opinion.