Hi all,
I'm currently working at a well known investment bank in an IT/Analytics role. My group is responsible for risk, valuation, and analytics for the credit default swap business. Even though I sit on the trading floor, I don't have much interaction with the business. I'm trying to move into a more challenging role where I'm more involved in the business, ideally a trading role.
Through the firm's internal mobility program, I had an interview for junior trader on the EM Hybrids desk. I didn't get the job; the interview went well, but they were looking for someone with more experience in stochastic calculus.
Now I'm thinking I'll need to get more education if I want to move into a trading role. I'm trying to decide between a full time and part time MS program. I think I'm a reasonable candidate for either program. I recently took GRE's, and scored a 800Q/650V, but my undergrad GPA of 3.4 will probably hurt me (I graduated in 2003). I weigh the pro's and con's of each program:
part time
Just wondering if anyone has any comments / advice.
thx.
I'm currently working at a well known investment bank in an IT/Analytics role. My group is responsible for risk, valuation, and analytics for the credit default swap business. Even though I sit on the trading floor, I don't have much interaction with the business. I'm trying to move into a more challenging role where I'm more involved in the business, ideally a trading role.
Through the firm's internal mobility program, I had an interview for junior trader on the EM Hybrids desk. I didn't get the job; the interview went well, but they were looking for someone with more experience in stochastic calculus.
Now I'm thinking I'll need to get more education if I want to move into a trading role. I'm trying to decide between a full time and part time MS program. I think I'm a reasonable candidate for either program. I recently took GRE's, and scored a 800Q/650V, but my undergrad GPA of 3.4 will probably hurt me (I graduated in 2003). I weigh the pro's and con's of each program:
part time
- (+) financial: work will pay for some if not all of it and I don't lose my salary.
- (+) can start soon. It's possible to get into a program that start September 2010. I'd be looking at the NYU MS FinMath program.
- (+) career: I'm a candidate to make VP at the end of this year, which I'm confident I'll get. If I go to school, I won't get hired at VP level.
- (-) trading opportunities don't come around very often in the internal mobility program. I did get one interview, but don't think it's very likely I'll get another.
- (+) network & career services: can utilize university facilities for job placement
- (-) can't start soon: would be looking at entry for September 2011. I'm 27, I'd be 29 by September 2011. Feels kind of old to be in school.
Just wondering if anyone has any comments / advice.
thx.