I usually try to avoid posting such general topics but because these hedge funds are so secretive I figured I might as well post this.
I have been doing some serious thinking about where I want to end up in finance. I just listened to James Simons video on WSO and I was moved.
Besides his awesome story, he talked about funds having quant. models that they don't stick to. Maybe they like it one day, another time they don't.
The stuff I heard they have been doing sounds fascinating. AI systems, simple neural nets with sigmoid activation functions, algorithms for twitter, and more quant nerd s**t that gets all us nerds giddy.
My questions is two part. Are they're any funds or places similar to Ren Tech (because getting into RT is basically impossible)? I know Citadel and DE Shaw are quant oriented but I don't know if you would put them in the same classification as Ren Tech.
And second, what is the best way to get into a similar fund without getting a Ph.D? Consider career path as well.
I love science and mathematics, but I seriously question whether the time commitment could be better used for more constructive career building.
Also any more realistic advice on ways to pursue a more quant oriented fund would be appreciated.
I saw the same video as you and it inspired me too. If you want to get in that route, comp sci/physics/elec engineering and phd are pretty much required. These places won't talk to you with them for the entry route you aim for.
I'm currently going for a similar career path but wish my programming was not only better, but provable. They want experience with these systems, which is bloody hard to get once you're out of university.
Speaking of RenTech and the amazing story of Jim Simons. If you could ask him three questions what would they be? I am curious, as I may actually have the opportunity in the near future..
Wow I'm really jealous. If he would answer everything, I'd ask him what RT's secret sauce is. More realistically, I'd focus on what they look for, if he were in my shoes what would he do for the next 10 years, and what he believes the future of the industry holds.
according to the video, they hire people who have done, published, and have been recognized for their impressive academic work.
I understand. My question is not "how can I get into RT" because that is an unrealistic question, and the people who end up there aren't people who decided to go into finance after undergrad, but rather experts in a certain scientific field who get recruited or decide to apply their skills to finance.
Rather, I want to know more realistic funds (don't have to recruit undergrad) and typical career path to get their that do no include ph.d's. Masters is still an option. Maybe starting off in a certain entry level job that places well into these types of funds, etc. This is not an easy question.
Optio quidem est ipsa. Expedita et officia et perspiciatis repellat recusandae. Provident exercitationem maxime ab rerum quisquam.
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