MSc graduate seeking for advice

[d.koutsomito]

Hello,

I am looking for advice about how can an MSc graduate enter the quantitative finance field without having any working experience. My aim is to find a "Model Validation" position but all the offers I have found require experience in this field.

I will be very happy to listen to your advice.

Thank you.

 

[Keith Tan]

get an internship first. there are many summer quant analyst internship roles for fresh grads. u need to have the prerequisite skillsets first.

 

[d.koutsomito]

get an internship first. there are many summer quant analyst internship roles for fresh grads. u need to have the prerequisite skillsets first.

Totally agree. But do you have any specific advice about which characteristics are the most important in order to get an internship in this field?

 

[MNRC]

You can choose the companies you want to work for and apply directly for an internship. My experience is that when you have graduated and are currently working it is unlikely you will be able to find an internship. Many companies seem to want students who are currently in school or have just graduated for internships.

My impression is also that any kind of model validation work generally requires a PhD especially if you have no experience.

 

[ADT]

My impression is also that any kind of model validation work generally requires a PhD especially if you have no experience.

Not necessarily - I know of a personal colleague/friend, US undergrad econ/LSE Masters Finance, no FT work experience in between, doing model validation work for credit derivatives at a top tier IB in NYC.

 

[Ken Abbott]

There are plenty of non-Ph.Ds in model validation.

 

[MNRC]

Oh ok, I see. At my school all the internships on the career website that mention model validation seem to ask for PhDs.

 

[d.koutsomito]

Guys thanks a lot for your answers. However, I am planning to follow a self-study plan after my graduation which will prepare me better for future interviews. I want to improve my computional skills and focus on implementation of stochastic models in C++. What do you think?

 

[d.koutsomito]

I would appreciate if you proposed any good material for data analysis.