How smart do you need to be a quant? When did you realize this was a career option/desirable path for yo?
So, I'm a current finance/compsci student at a semi-target university, and I am finding I am incredibly interested in quant trading and its relation to randomness, variability, statistics, challenging the efficient market assumption, and the desire to see things where others don't see them. I've always loved probability and have been a pretty strong student in math, but my finance courses don't require any math classes (except statistics) and I feel like I'm falling behind in math compared to my non-finance major peers. I recently just started researching Ren Tech and Jim Simons trading methods and think its incredibly interesting. But I am also kind of concerned that finance quant analysis has become overly highly analyzed and if you are not using AI or Machine Learning you are at a disadvantage. For example, the models that quant HFs in the 1980s/1990s used are just the standard expected return and Black-Sholes-Merton finance equations I am learning in my class, and I feel like there is a lack of opportunity for those looking to get into quant trading to find something as a profitable as a strategy.
I'm not the classic finance bro stereotype and am intrigued by science and maths but also finance and seeing patterns that others do not see. After seeing a lot of the finance bro stereotypes at my school, I feel like I wouldn't fit in a traditional frat finance bro job and don't think could last in IB (I need sleep to function). I'm looking toward Corp Dev roles currently, but I am considering a potential quant route but am intimidated by the barrier to entry and competition for quant roles. And also, am I even smart enough?
How did you know that you were intelligent enough to be a quant? How smart were you in high school? When did you start to pursue it?
When I started I didn’t know the difference between a stock and a bond.. I think you’ll be fine
Bump. And a further question - what are the people in your class who got into quant jobs. Like how clever were they? Olympiad winners or something reasonable
im dumb and didn't know what de shaw's business was when i got a final round for them, you're definitely smarter than i am so don't worry
Nobis itaque consequuntur sed ut in officia vel. Impedit vitae necessitatibus esse voluptas possimus expedita. Ut vero qui a ut sit. Aut quia et eos vel sed consequatur et. Ipsum optio facilis ea porro dolore illo.
Voluptas quia sunt id non eius. Eius sunt rerum ut officiis aperiam. Commodi iure dicta quo ea inventore sunt et tempore. Vel optio est itaque quos ea laudantium. Quisquam error blanditiis fuga quam qui aut.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...