Engineering degree into quant

Hey everyone,

I recently graduated (this year) with a masters degree in renewable energy systems engineering (mix of electrical and mechanical) from a RG university and I landed a job in an insurance company in what is essentially a data analyst / scientist position. However, I would like to pivot into a career as a quant...

My quantitative skills are pretty good and I have brushed up a crap load on statistics, probability and Python, as my research project was mathematical modelling and forecasting wind turbines (in a wind farm, using commercial data) health, power generation and risk. I also did a lot of extra curriculars during my time at university and was in multiple leadership roles throughout.

But I am just wondering what is the best way to go about applying to these quant jobs (mainly analyst or trader) at the bog standard companies (JS, Optiver etc etc). Ideally, I'd like to stay at my current work position for a year, so I do have a year to absolutely prepare and nail the interviews when the time comes. However, due to my degree not being maths/statistics, will I just get CV screened out of existence? Is it even worth applying???

I am pretty confident, especially with the year timeframe that I have given myself that I can absolutely nail the interviews, but I also do know that I will be competing with thousands of people, some of which are like IMO medallists or the next Alan Turing in terms of ability...

A bit of extra background on me if that helps:
MEng (2:1) in Engineering (Renewable Energy)
AABB in A levels (Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry)
A*-A in all GCSEs, even took further maths as an additional self taught one
Got UKMT Intermediate Gold in 2016 and participated in the Grey / Pink Kangaroo (Is this worth putting on my CV?)

Work experience:
Data Analyst / Scientist at an insurance company - I haven't started this role yet, but the start date is soon
Multiple retail part time jobs
Treasurer, was having to manage/budget/account around £300,000

Many thanks!

 

You will get CV screened out of existence. JS/ Optiver get too many applicants from Oxbridge/Imperial to really even consider a 2:1 in Renewable Energy Engineering. Look at Linkedin, 95% of their Quants (researchers, traders and devs) in London are Oxbridge/Imperial. Those are the 3 target unis for quant in the UK, even other traditional targets like UCL and Warwick get CV screened for quant sometimes. Its just not gonna happen with that CV.

If you are deadset on being a quant, try for an MFE at Imperial/ Oxford. Thats really the only way I can see you getting your foot in the door.

 

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