Brit' who got lost in Canada
Hello Everyone,
After having lurked on the forums for a month or so now, I figured an introduction was due.
I'm Sam, a british student who somehow ended up studying at HEC Montreal. I still have three semesters left to complete my undergraduate degree majoring in Finance.
I grew an interest for everything investment related about 8 months ago, and since then I haven't stopped reading and learning more and more.
My objective is to work as a research analyst at a L/S Hedge fund someday, whether that would be possible out of undergrad, or a couple years down the line is obviously still to be determined.
A value oriented approach is what seems to fit the best with my personality, and resonates the most with me as being sensible. Buy low, sell high. The challenge is obviously determining when something is cheap, and if it will ever be expensive again.
Over the last two weeks I have completed the Canadian Securities Course, from Moody's CSI website which was an interesting ( all though mind numbingly easy) overview of the Financial industry.
I have also started trading my own portfolio through a discount broker, with tiny volumes, which could be considered normal considering I'm still only a student. I believe strongly that the best way to learn is from experience, and if I can learn from mistakes when a few hundred bucks are on the table, the return will be worth it down the line.
Furthermore I'm considering preparing to take the CFA level 1 in december, and level 2 next june. My rationale is that if I am going to do this, I might as well get it out while Im a Student, and finish it a year into a first job. My degree doesn't require much more than 20h/week including lectures, and I've been in the educational system for the last 15 years which obviously makes me an expert in taking exams, right? ;)
I would love to hear your comments on doing the CFA or not, in my situation?
In the meantime however, I'm considering taking one of the financial modelling courses offered by Wall Street Prep ( or a competitor of theirs, haven't made my mind up) . I have read here that the general consensus is that they would teach my everything I need to know in my first job anyway?
However for trading my own portfolio, it would be swell to know a bit more about modelling, and if it's a skill set that will be required down the line, why not learn a little now?
Once again I'd love to hear you guys opinions on this.
Finally I've recently enrolled in a simulation held by the Montreal Exchange, where you get to trade Options for a couple of weeks with a fake 100k, and they give a few cash prizes to the best performers. I'm participating more for the thrill of it, but would love to hear a few common pitfalls to avoid while trading options?
Other than that, Im a huge Knicks Fan ( yeah I know, bad season, I can see the results) , I played basketball at a national level in high school in France and Belgium, I love a cold Guinness down at the pub with a few mates, and having one hell of a time fighting the cold winters here in MTL.
I don't understand, did you go to bed in England one day and wake up the next a student at HEC Montreal with no idea how you got there? You "somehow" ended up there?
Anyways, you ask a million questions but the main point is the same fucking one that has been repeated a billion times here: if you want to work at a L/S hedge fund, you need to go through a year or two of banking first (with some exceptions, obviously). To get into banking, you need to get a good GPA and network your ass off, especially since HEC Montreal isn't exactly a recruiting magnet. Everything else -- CFA, competitions, etc... -- is gravy but won't make or break you.
P.s. You really need to be more concise. Also, don't use your real name lest you post something stupid or dickish.
Good points, changed the user name. Its true it was lengthy should have cut the fat out.
No I didnt just wake up in mtl, i thought id cut out the parts about growing up in the UK moving to Luxembourg then france before moving to mtl cause i wanted to live somewhere new.
Good points, changed the user name. Its true it was lengthy should have cut the fat out.
No I didnt just wake up in mtl, i thought id cut out the parts about growing up in the UK moving to Luxembourg then france before moving to mtl cause i wanted to live somewhere new.
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