Exploring Options

[quiz]

Truly no pun intended.

If I earned an M.S. in applied math from Rensselaer Polytechnic, focusing on machine learning, and have an okay programming background (say 1.5-3.5 years' experience with C, C++, Python, and MATLAB)... are there any quant finance roles I would fit? More importantly, are there any roles for which I would be competitive, or for which I could become competitive by learning some things on my own?

What steps would you suggest?

Are there other (non-academic) careers to which you think this kind of background would be better suited?

I haven't done this hypothetical M.S. yet, but I would like to know more about my potential if I took it. I realize RPI itself is practically not discussed on this forum.

 

[mkheidzedavid]

If we consider u have already obtained a M.S in applied math and combined it with programming skills(preferably with degrees earned) then the quant career is made for you. At this point u have a programming experience. Add financial fields to your knowledge and then ull find yourself where to fit.

 

[quiz]

If we consider u have already obtained a M.S in applied math and combined it with programming skills(preferably with degrees earned) then the quant career is made for you. At this point u have a programming experience. Add financial fields to your knowledge and then ull find yourself where to fit.

Made? That doesn't sound right.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Yes, "made" doesn't sound right. Nobody is entitled to anything regardless of the kind of school/degree you have.
FYI, RPI has a MFE program RPI Financial Engineering and Risk Analytics - Forum | Quant Network

Programming skill is essential in this line of work, be it fixing spreadsheets for trading desk, risk reports for MO, building quant libraries for banks, scrubbing financial data, etc.

Some positions will need you to know financial instruments, different settlements, conventions. Many of them can be learned on the jobs.

Look at job postings and if you know what they describe, it's a job you "can" do and should apply. A lot of people will say "do what you want, not what you can".
Sensible word of wisdom but at this level, a lot of people do not know what they want yet, let alone finding those jobs. So take a job, learn and then find out what you want.

 

[quiz]

Yes, "made" doesn't sound right. Nobody is entitled to anything regardless of the kind of school/degree you have.
FYI, RPI has a MFE program RPI Financial Engineering and Risk Analytics - Forum | Quant Network

Yeah, I know about the MFE at RPI. But for two reasons, I decided against going for MFE anywhere--first of all, debt, which I already have a substantial amount of. Second, I'm concerned about the "adaptability" of whatever my chosen graduate degree is, given the way things may change in 5-10 years. If you have anything to say on either of these topics, I'd appreciate your input.

Look at job postings and if you know what they describe, it's a job you "can" do and should apply. A lot of people will say "do what you want, not what you can".
Sensible word of wisdom but at this level, a lot of people do not know what they want yet, let alone finding those jobs. So take a job, learn and then find out what you want.

Thanks Andy.