Learning a Language vs. Learning to Code vs. Reading

Strange question, but I've found myself with quite a bit of spare time recently and want some input on how to best spend it. Also, some may say just follow the markets/prep for buyside recruiting, and these options are for things to do in addition to that, rather than in spite of that. My options, and I am open to alternatives, are as follows:

  1. Learn a language. Always wanted to learn a language. Would first want to learn Spanish/French, and perhaps more down the line. The most "fun" of the choices in terms of using it when traveling/to pick up girls.

  2. Learn to code. Would arguably be the best long-term when looking at my finance career, and would pad my resume for buyside recruiting. No background related to computer science or anything of the sort.

  3. Read. Big fan of reading and have a long list of books I want to read (finance ones include The Man Who Knew: The Life and Times of Alan Greenspan, More Money Than God, Howard Marks' new book). Could get through a book or 2 a week if I spent my spare time solely on reading.

Of course, these aren't necessarily mutually exclusive - I could spend 1 hour a day learning a language and 1 hour a day learning to code. Or 1 hour a day reading and 1 hour a day learning to code. I go to the gym 5/6 days a week so I don't think I have enough spare time for an hour of all 3 + the gym in a day. Any thoughts are appreciated!

 
Most Helpful

Learn to code 1st. You can learn the basics of Python from this freecodecamp youtube video (4-5 hours) plus another 12 hours for practice. You can do this in a weekend if you take adderall and have nothing else to do.

That will get you to the point where you can call yourself "proficient enough" in Python. Then take a basic data science course (free to audit on Coursera, edX, and a couple other MOOC platforms...each about 20 hours of video classes) and learn how to build a basic neural network using tensor flow with Keras backend architecture (keras wraps tensorflow for simplicity).

This 3Blue1Brown youtub channel has a great 4 video playlist that makes neural nets understandable to people that don't know any of the math (you don't need to..that's what the neural network is for) or any of the programming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aircAruvnKk&list=PLZHQObOWTQDNU6R1_6700…

And This guy does a similar thing, but does the code right in front of you as he lectures (so better to watch after you learn Python from the 1st course linked up above). This last video series is best to watch AFTER you've taken the theoretical intro course on data science (because he jumps into code and goes pretty fast).

just google it...you're welcome
 

Aut culpa nemo enim vero error. Quia ea quisquam ex aliquid asperiores consequatur. Sint qui qui assumenda ut. Doloremque quae magni hic maxime rerum non molestias.

Excepturi autem nisi est temporibus fugiat. Nihil quibusdam in distinctio laudantium reiciendis. Expedita architecto est eos est.

Itaque non corrupti rem nostrum. Ut aut minima neque veniam soluta eligendi laborum. Vel itaque eveniet neque. Consectetur saepe quia modi.

Et sint eligendi quo. Voluptatum autem exercitationem modi corrupti placeat eos molestiae eos. Aliquam omnis qui illum impedit.

just google it...you're welcome

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 98.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.9%
  • Magnetar Capital 96.8%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.8%
  • AQR Capital Management 94.7%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 98.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.8%
  • Blackstone Group 96.8%
  • Two Sigma Investments 95.7%
  • Citadel Investment Group 94.6%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 97.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 96.9%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.8%
  • Magnetar Capital 94.8%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (23) $474
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (6) $322
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (24) $287
  • Manager (4) $282
  • Engineer/Quant (71) $274
  • 2nd Year Associate (30) $251
  • 1st Year Associate (73) $190
  • Analysts (225) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (22) $131
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (249) $85
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”