-
Countdown to the 2025 QuantNet rankings. Join the list to get the ranking prior to public release!
What major
- Thread starter jetpotion
- Start date
- Joined
- 9/18/12
- Messages
- 284
- Points
- 53
The major is fine. Just try not be constrained by any major you choose. Ultimately you will have to show your interest and ability to contribute to trading. A few suggestions (no need to take too seriously, but you should get an idea): read the financial portion of The Economist every week, read a couple books on quantitative trading and see how your coursework applies (either to make the trading ideas more rigorous or to test them in a statistically sound manner), take a few business/finance classes and excel in them (be sure to impress the professors and show them you are also socially presentable)... AND MAKE SURE TO DO INTERNSHIPS AT COMPETITIVE INSTITUTIONS.
What else can I do? Other than read books,network,excel at school, and get internships...... Student organizations as well.... I know joining a (professional buisness)fraternity will help me network but will uniqueness make you stand out like investment banking?
- Joined
- 5/2/06
- Messages
- 12,176
- Points
- 273
Can you be the best programmer out of the group? If you are thinking of quant/trading, you can't not ignore the technical aspect of the job.
- Joined
- 9/18/12
- Messages
- 284
- Points
- 53
Actually one thing I realized a lot later in life is that joining an actual fraternity might have helped a lot. You learn quite a bit in that kind of environment in how to interact with people and about things like teamwork and cooperating with people you don't particularly like.
so I should minor in computer science? Or choose computer science completely?
If you can only do one major I'd probably go with stats, but a minor in computer science would be important because Andy is correct that the technical side is pretty critical... Being strong at math is good, but in terms of actual tangible skills that you bring to the table for a quant position, being a good programmer will be invaluable to you. In addition to stat/cs for the academics, though, treat finance as a "passionate hobby"-- read trading books in your spare time, read the front-page articles on Bloomberg every day so that you'll be able to speak intelligently about the markets in interviews, and get your hands dirty a bit with trading so that you'll be able to have a compelling argument lined up for "why you're interested in finance." This next thing is absolutely critical, though-- do not get complacent and figure that coming out of Columbia will get you a job-- it will get you interviews, but that's it. The rest is convincing people that you're actually a good fit for the job, and if you're not, you'll get nowhere.
- Joined
- 9/18/12
- Messages
- 284
- Points
- 53
I think Andy's question is misleading. It makes sense from his side, but not from yours. Where he's coming from is that many quant wannabes can't program their way out of a paper bag, so he wants to emphasize the importance of programming.
However you certainly do not need to be a great programmer to be a quant, nor would I recommend spending a lot of time as an undergrad pursuing that direction if you want to be a quant. It is far more important to develop quantitative skills. Most very good quants are in fact not great programmers. Their programming contribution is more in the direction of quickly rolling out a working model or automating a task than toward full application development. You can get good at the former by practicing on sites like topcoder etc.
- Joined
- 5/2/06
- Messages
- 12,176
- Points
- 273
Given the OP doesn't mention or realize the technical aspect of "quant/trading" jobs, I can't help to point out that the crowds hanging around on QuantNet is more technical-oriented than the usual liberal art/finance major crowd. So being the best programmer in that demographic doesn't say much
In a more serious note, programming/tech skills can also open doors to tech sector that you may grow drawn to overtime. There is a reason banks like Goldman Sachs now have to pitch to Columbia engineering undergrads that not unlike tech giants, they are doing interesting stuff too.
what would a kid from a non target have to do,in order to land a inteview or even internship?Given the OP doesn't mention or realize the technical aspect of "quant/trading" jobs, I can't help to point out that the crowds hanging around on QuantNet is more technical-oriented than the usual liberal art/finance major crowd. So being the best programmer in that demographic doesn't say much
In a more serious note, programming/tech skills can also open doors to tech sector that you may grow drawn to overtime. There is a reason banks like Goldman Sachs now have to pitch to Columbia engineering undergrads that not unlike tech giants, they are doing interesting stuff too.
- Joined
- 5/2/06
- Messages
- 12,176
- Points
- 273
Utilize everything he has from the university resources, personal connections, etc. You may literally have to go and knock on doors. I know some smart kids here who is from some public university in NJ. He went to a couple of QuantNet meetup, impressed enough people and got a nice job at GS that most people from Ivy won't get.
so where can I find these meetups and networking events?
- Joined
- 5/2/06
- Messages
- 12,176
- Points
- 273
If you live in NYC metro area, there are not enough time to attend these events. These range from workshops, talks by MFE programs in the area (Baruch, Columbia, NYU, CMU, etc) to talks by banks, professional societies (IAQF, GARP, SQA, QWAFAFEW, etc).
Take a look at the QuantNet guide which has a section on those societies and the events they provide. Some are free for students.
https://www.quantnet.com/guide
Take a look at the QuantNet guide which has a section on those societies and the events they provide. Some are free for students.
https://www.quantnet.com/guide
Are you sure it their? Because I dont see it
- Joined
- 5/2/06
- Messages
- 12,176
- Points
- 273
2013-2014 QuantNet International Guide to Financial Engineering Programs
DOWNLOAD GUIDE
DOWNLOAD GUIDE
I narrow down my path to sale side trading and quant trading. Which sides make more money? I know alot of kids even in the sale side trading come from mathematics major and science degrees. But in the end which side makes more money? Is there even such a thing call a prop quant trader role?
