I am finishing my PhD in Applied Math soon, working on some theoretical applications to risk measures defaults in banking networks, and I also hold a degree in Financial Engineering. I want to stay in Europe for a while, and consider working either for a regulator (such as European Central Bank) or for some investment institution such as bank/hedge fund/market maker as a quant. At the moment I am not sure in which of these two areas I would like to settle in a long-term, so I wondered if I start working as a quant in an investment bank, would it be possible to switch to a regulator thereafter (or vice-versa).
On the one hand, it seems logical that regulator would appreciate an experience obtained in the bank (that is to be regulated), but on the other hand I'm not sure I can judge it correctly. Not that I'm willing to try both opportunities anyways, rather I'm trying to estimate aftermaths of my choice where to start working. As far as I understand, working as a quant requires to be fast and precise (and is paid accordingly), whereas working for a regulator allows perhaps to deal with more fundamental tasks and not as stressful (and is also paid accordingly) - feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, I appreciate any hint on the topic.
On the one hand, it seems logical that regulator would appreciate an experience obtained in the bank (that is to be regulated), but on the other hand I'm not sure I can judge it correctly. Not that I'm willing to try both opportunities anyways, rather I'm trying to estimate aftermaths of my choice where to start working. As far as I understand, working as a quant requires to be fast and precise (and is paid accordingly), whereas working for a regulator allows perhaps to deal with more fundamental tasks and not as stressful (and is also paid accordingly) - feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, I appreciate any hint on the topic.
