From Software developer to Portfolio manager
Hi all,
I am currently a software developer at FANG with TC 200k+. I am investing my own money and I am getting very much interested in capital markets. I have thought of shifting the career path to become an analyst/associate in an investment bank or hedge fund. I read that I need a master's in Economics/Finance, then become RIA and also need CFA as a bare minimum to start my career in a good hedge fund. The only dilemma here is that I will have to basically re-start my career and ditch 200k/year. Is there any other feasible option?
The more straightforward path would be becoming a Developer/Quant Dev/Quant at a Quant/Market Making/Prop firm, and then working your way closer to the investing side. Or stay on the more tech side of things, it's quite good at certain firms too.
You don't need any education in Economics/RIA/CFA, it's not a good time investment and irrelevant to most Quant investing.
If you're a good programmer you should be able to make at least around 200k with your current skills.
The biggest issue that I have to pursue quant trader is that I lack a mathematics/statistics background.
I agree this is the best path.
Going into a fundamental shop is nearly impossible. You have to target a move on the quant side. Having a FANG on your CV should open you a lot of doors. Moving from quant dev to quant researcher or PM can be challenging though. Try to aim for a small and collaborative team where you work directly with quant reseachers/PMs, rather than being in a dev team. The closer you are to people who design and implement the strategies the better it will be.
You don't need very advanced maths/stats skills. Read a few books or look on internet to learn the basics. That should be enough, you will learn the rest on the job.
You could find 200k+ package. However a big part of that will be your bonus so you always have a bit of uncertainty regarding your total package.
This being said it is a hard move to make and it will take several years minimum, so be sure this is what you want.
Especially as you seem to have a good position in a great sector.
Good luck
Or you could just stay in Tech and trade with your own money bro lol. Take advantage of the equity and stock offerings in tech to grow your wealth. Just make investing a hobby. You could also switch to some Unicorn startup, and become a VC scout who gets paid in carry for sourcing out new leads/investments
I do not really see a benefit of ditching your career just to join an equity hedge fund. I can't comment on the quant thing since I only 2 people and they followed a pretty typical path but if you really just like long-term investing then there are many online resources for you learn. While you can argue that it isn't the same as being mentored by someone like Sundheim or Plotkin, it is extremely low chance you'll get the opportunity to work with them. Additionally, you may even start to become sick of the markets.
Overall, just stick to ur SWE path if you want to go into the equity HF space.
You want to ditch a career that is probably the highest growth industry to work in an industry that's slightly growing at best where most are flat or shrinking?
Stick with software dev.
First, a bit of background - I obtained a master's degree in theoretical physics. Its possible for a software engineer to learn to become a hedge fund manager. If you really want it.
Dolores et quam nihil itaque dolore quia. Nihil distinctio esse vero fuga perferendis. Aut dolores et dignissimos. Placeat sit sunt non impedit.
Ut animi in voluptas qui rerum omnis et. Rerum esse laborum velit dolorem.
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...