How to Break into Quantitative Hedge Funds????

Hi WSO,

Around two years ago, I wrote a research paper that covered an innovative trading strategy I thought of where firms can find a competitive advantage through an unorthodox method (think like satellite imaging of oil stores to accurately predict economic supply https://digital.hbs.edu/platform-digit/submission/this-startup-makes-money-from-oil-tank-shadows/. Moral of the story is I thought it was fascinating. I am starting my junior year and have a background in accountancy, finance, and only a minor in engineering from a semi-target school. I am wondering if it is possible for me to break into this type of role without a quantitative background.

Is it possible out of undergrad, would I need to do IB-->HF, or a master's in financial engineering or something? How would someone go about starting a firm like this?

1 Comments
 

Error ea dignissimos rem delectus quibusdam laboriosam. Provident omnis excepturi cum et sint voluptas omnis. Qui eos beatae est. Voluptatem quod repellat alias id non et doloremque. Commodi cupiditate occaecati qui est quia dolores minima voluptatem.

Accusamus dignissimos error enim libero quo laudantium perferendis. Molestiae veritatis molestiae in debitis.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Millennium Partners 95.0%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $192
  • Analysts (242) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”