Torn between tech (SWE / data science) and finance (quantamental / investment data analyst / data scientist)

Basically what title suggests. Wondering where to put my skills and what gives the most consistently good pay since pods are cutthroat but bonus upside is huge. 

SWE market is extremely rough right now and I've always gotten more attention from investment firms than tech companies so confused where to take my career right now... seen a lot of big tech data scientists get hired to pods later on in life but wondering if it happens the other way as well.

Any insight / thoughts are appreciated, what should I prioritize right now?

3 Comments
 

Quant finance IMO has much better job stability (maybe not always at the same firm, but in finding work) than a SWE. Have friends who do both and the quant made a bit less early on but now makes substantially more vs other guy ran into a ceiling then bounced during one of the big layoffs the other year. 

"If you don't have any enemies in life you have never stood up for anything" - Winston Churchill | "It's a testament to the sheer belligerence of the profession that people would rather argue about the 'risk-adjusted returns' of using inferior tooth cleaning methods." - kellycriterion
 

I thought that quants made more super early on then get bogged down a little by non-competes? In terms of maximizing base, what would you recommend? I know job hopping in SWE typically increments your base more than quant, but quant is the higher bar to begin with right?

 
Most Helpful

Quo autem consequatur temporibus omnis sunt soluta dolores. Maxime ipsum consequatur sint reiciendis voluptatem. Omnis vitae exercitationem magnam rerum alias voluptas culpa. Enim nisi corrupti rerum fuga voluptatum ad nihil. Ducimus dolores nesciunt libero tenetur voluptatibus fuga cupiditate. Eaque aliquid minima nobis dolorum possimus sapiente. Quia distinctio aut architecto sed enim omnis.

"If you don't have any enemies in life you have never stood up for anything" - Winston Churchill | "It's a testament to the sheer belligerence of the profession that people would rather argue about the 'risk-adjusted returns' of using inferior tooth cleaning methods." - kellycriterion

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • Millennium Partners 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Blackstone Group 96.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.1%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.2%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.3%

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 (240) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (28) $146
  • 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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”