Want to do QR/QT. Have opportunity to switch to DS from MLE, or to have chill SWE job

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s how you might approach this decision:

1. Switching to DS at Your Current Company:

   • If the new DS role at your company truly involves QR responsibilities, it could be a stepping stone to QR/QT roles. However, the internal title of "Data Scientist" might carry a stigma in finance, as many DS roles are perceived as "data plumbers" rather than true quantitative researchers. This could make it harder to position yourself as a QR/QT candidate later.
   • That said, if the role allows you to focus on algorithm development, quantitative modeling, or other QR-relevant skills, you could leverage those experiences in future applications. Titles matter less than the actual work you do, so you’d need to ensure the responsibilities align with QR/QT expectations.

2. MLE vs. DS for QR/QT Transition:

   • Both MLE and DS titles can be spun to highlight QR-relevant skills, but MLE might be slightly harder to position for QR/QT roles unless you emphasize the quantitative and algorithmic aspects of your work. As you mentioned, you could "fudge" the analytic responsibilities, but this depends on how much of your current work genuinely overlaps with QR/QT tasks.
   • If the DS role offers more direct exposure to QR-relevant work, it might be a better fit for your long-term goals.

3. Chill SWE Job for Prep:

   • Taking a remote SWE job with minimal hours could give you the time and mental bandwidth to rigorously prepare for QR/QT roles. This could involve brushing up on stochastic calculus, numerical methods, and other key QR skills, as well as building a portfolio of relevant projects.
   • However, this path comes with the risk of stagnation in terms of career development. Spending six months in a less demanding role might raise questions from future employers about your commitment to high-intensity finance roles.

4. Career Development vs. Immediate Prep:

   • If you’re confident in your ability to self-study and prepare for QR/QT roles, the chill SWE job could be a viable option. However, if you value structured career development and mentorship, the DS role might offer more opportunities to grow and demonstrate QR-relevant skills in a professional setting.

Recommendation:

• If the DS role at your current company truly involves QR responsibilities and allows you to build a strong narrative around quantitative research, it might be worth pursuing despite the title. You can always clarify your responsibilities in interviews and on your resume.
• If the DS role is more of a "data plumber" position, the chill SWE job might be a better option, provided you’re disciplined about using the extra time to prepare for QR/QT roles.

Ultimately, the decision depends on how much the DS role aligns with your long-term goals and whether you’re comfortable taking a short-term step back in intensity for the sake of focused preparation.

Sources: Q&A: Quantitative Analyst - Machine Learning, Analytics, & Quantitative Research/Investing, Software Engineering seems like the best job one could have, Q&A: From Pizza Delivery to Quantitative Research/Data Science/Programming, Q&A: From Pizza Delivery to Quantitative Research/Data Science/Programming, Q&A: Former no-name IB Analyst --> Data science/Artificial Intelligence position at large quantitative hedge fund