S&T at Barclays Hong Kong: CS Background

Computer Science major. I've had multiple SWE Internships at FAANG tech companies. I got a full time S&T offer for Barclays. I've now signed the offer letter but I'm confused if this is the way to go. I read on other posts that S&T is not a great place for Tech people. What should I do? How can I try to transition into something more tech rigorous? What are potential career options for me? 

 

Ah, the classic dilemma of choosing between the trading floor and the tech haven! Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a bunch of bananas for thought:

  1. S&T Offer at Barclays Hong Kong: First off, congrats on snagging that offer! S&T can be a thrilling ride, and with your CS background, you're actually in a sweet spot. The industry is evolving, and tech skills are becoming increasingly valuable on the trading floor. You might find that your coding prowess could give you an edge, especially in more quantitative roles or electronic trading.

  2. Transitioning to Tech-Rigorous Roles: If you're looking to flex those tech muscles, consider roles within electronic trading or algorithmic trading. These areas are tech-intensive and would benefit from your FAANG internships. You could also explore financial engineering or structuring teams, where your coding skills can be put to good use in creating complex financial products.

  3. Potential Career Options: With a CS background, you're not just limited to S&T. You could pivot to fintech, where finance meets innovation, or even quantitative research. If you're feeling adventurous, why not consider a stint in a tech startup within the financial domain? Your unique blend of skills could be a hot commodity.

Remember, it's not just about the role you start in; it's about where you can swing to next. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to leverage your tech background, and don't be afraid to monkey around with different roles until you find your perfect tree. Good luck!

Sources: Q&A: The Future/Current State of S&T - BB VP Macro Trader, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/trading/sales-in-st-dead-end-career-path-in-2020?customgpt=1, Where are all the S&T monkeys?, The future of Hong Kong high finance, The future of Hong Kong high finance

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Disagree that it's a bad place for tech people. If your offer is for a quantitative desk, it can be a great use of your programming skills and be quite challenging.

 

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