| Topic Name: |
IT -> Quant |
| Message Name: |
Thank you. Could you be a little more specific? |
| Date Posted: |
08/17/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
You asked "what is the quick way to land a position." Then, you asked if having some type of formal training would do the trick.
Question: How would "having some type of formal training" result in quickly landing a position?
You still have to apply and compete against those who also have experience.
In other words, you obviously must have the minimal credentials; so wouldn't you be better off trying to figure out how to market yourself effectively into a job? That's really what it's all about: how to sell yourself to employers. They aren't going to come looking for you. You'll have to CONVINCE them to WANT you. |
| Message: |
Thank you very much for your reply. Since I have been struggling a lot with this lately, maybe my questions are not clearly separated from some of my own ideas.
I do realize I must have minimal qualification so that my resume do not go straight to the trash can. But I do not want to spend years in a PhD/MS program if I do not have to. So could you be a little more specific on the training an entry level position looks for.
In addition, I also think the qualification might vary from firm to firm. I would imagine that some large firms might have some trainee program while most firms will probably only take in experienced candidates.
So let me rephrase my questions.
1) Is there any trainee program which I could apply right now?
2) Do you think a CFA level 1 will help much in getting into a Wall Street firm? If not possible to a Quant directly, how about IT department?
3) Is it possible to move from IT department to a Quant position?
4) How about MS in Financial Mathematics vs PhD? If I need to go back to school, my obvious choice is MS program because it is short. But will it give me enough leverage in the job, or I will always be doing odds work for PhDs.
My guts feeling is that you probably say no to my first three questions. Then at least I will not waste my effort. On the other hand, the amount of effort (e.g. to pass CFA level 1) is minimal comparing to complete a fulltime program. So maybe I should give it a shot.
I really think after a year on the job, I could catch up and hopefully even do better if all that required is MS-level work in mathematics. (NYU MS in Fin Math says their grads are well prepared for this type of position.) So the biggest obstacle for me is for me now, is that I probably won't even get any opportunities to make my case. I want to know what is the things that I could do to get their attention and an interview. BTW, I also passed the required qualifying exams for my PhD program in math.
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