View on Software Engineer attempting to transition to investing

I’m an early career software engineer who learned late in the game of the opportunities/careers in finance. Engineering has a glass ceiling and is thanklessly cerebral, you have to have a passion for computer science and no real interest in the business side of things to enjoy it. I actually only pursued my area of software development because of the leverage it provides in terms of growing a business.

How viable is it to pursue an MBA as a means of eventually becoming a hedge fund analyst? I currently work at a startup processing $200m in transactions yearly that allows me opportunity to influence product/business decisions. I think aside from a larger company like Google or Jane Street on my resume, I could alternately pursue VC if I strengthen my product experience.

3 Comments
 

I made a similar career move in 2006. I had a MS in computer science and was working in software. I got tired of it and transitioned to a quant role on a trading desk. I got a headhunter and was pretty lucky I think. At the time many quants doing modeling were PhDs, but the bank wanted CS people to support them. That was my in. Not sure if that route still exists today. I would call around to headhunters and cross my fingers.

 

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