Seeking Education Advice for Engineering Student

[qwcovzyx]

Hi QuantNet family, I’m a Second Year undergrad Engineering student in India.
I’ve been interested in quant finance and am planning to study financial engineering as a minor course in Uni as well. I’m well versed in python and C++, and have also studied a bit of financial mathematics, financial instruments and pricing by myself.
I wanted to ask:
1. What the best way to get into quant is: an MFE/MS related to quant or a PhD in something unrelated like engineering and then getting into quant.
2. Would you recommend doing a CFA?
3. Additional skills/technologies to learn
Sorry for the number of questions but I appreciate all the responses.
Thank You!

 

[Kevin Griffin]

I wouldn't take a PhD as strictly a pathway into quant -- I would only pursue it if I was particularly passionate about the research I was doing. As a pathway into the industry I think an MFE is better suited. As a previous mechanical engineering undergrad, the main gaps I had when transitioning into an MFE were programming skills (which you seem to have) and then a stats/probability background. I would try to incorporate the later into your coursework or independent study.

 

[qwcovzyx]

I wouldn't take a PhD as strictly a pathway into quant -- I would only pursue it if I was particularly passionate about the research I was doing. As a pathway into the industry I think an MFE is better suited. As a previous mechanical engineering undergrad, the main gaps I had when transitioning into an MFE were programming skills (which you seem to have) and then a stats/probability background. I would try to incorporate the later into your coursework or independent study.

Thanks for the valuable reply. I’ll move towards a more MFE based path moving forward. Also I’ve done some courses for statistics and some R in my coursework and I’ll learn a bit more by myself.