I'm very good at Computer programming but average in maths...¿What major should I study?
I dont know why but I have natural talent for computer programming, I'm studying a degree in Applied Statistics (1st year) and I had 3 subjets related to Computer programming (C++ and SAS).
I just read the code and I can understand what the whole program does since the first class... I got the highest marks overall the students without much effort. Never programmed before.
Next year I'm seriously thinking about moving to other degree more related to Investment Banking, these are my options:
1) Finance & Accounting (the program is very similar to CFA) 2) Computer science (is it useful for a quant profile to pursue a CFA?) 3) Maths (I'm not very good like in CS but if put effort i can get high GPA) 3) Stay in Applied Statistics
I hope you can help me guys, I want also to take into account with what is easiear to break into IB, with a CFA or with a Master in CS/Maths/stats.
What is more important for a quant developer? maths or computer programming?
Art History or Sociology
If you are dead set on i banking...
Finance and Accounting is probably your best bet.
The other three major alternatives are all good prereq's for a quantish life.
I could be wrong, but I believe that neither a CFA nor a masters in CS/Math/Stats would significantly help you to get into IBD. It would behoove you to snag an MBA at a target, network well, do relevant internships, and all of the above.
Of course Art History or Sociology JUST MIGHT work. Has anyone ever tried???????????
I know many bankers that have majored in everything from ComSci to English, Philosophy to Psychology, and pretty much the whole gamut in between. I know several Art History and Soc majors in banking at Goldman, MS, and Citi to be specific. Being a finance major is overrated, I never touched a finance class in college and I haven't had any trouble in recruiting or in my job.
The key is demonstrating an interest in business/finance through extracurriculars, and networking. I had a conversation with an MD at a BB who was at my school for a lax game and she said that she prefers hiring from a liberal arts background because they develop better analytical skills, whereas most finance classes are more mechanical. She may be a bit prejudiced because she herself was a Philosophy/English double, but I believe she had a valid point.
In my experience it's the boutiques (by which I mean the regional/small boutiques) that prefer finance types.
Finance, the math is simple.
Do you want to become a quant developer or IB? Why not Google or Facebook? Or HFT?
I would major in comp sci and apply to both type of jobs (and stuff like algorithmic trading if it interests you). Recruiting year and SA and such should help you determine what you like better.
Algorithmic trading is very interesting for me, I don't know but something which always passionated me is the "automatization", every idea in my mind was related to make a good business without me on it... open any kind of business and not working, making a poker bot, making a bot for forex... yes it requieres a lot of time and effort to do it, but the end is a great time saver.
However, I've seen that for to be a quant you have to be PHD or have a Master in Financial Engeneering. The first option is a too long path for me (at least 6 years) and the second one is too hard to get in (Good programs only admit 14% or so) and It looks like I'm not too good at maths.
So doing finance & Accounting and pursuing the CFA lvl 1 meanwhile is maybe my best bet. Actually I like too Portfolio management, investment analysis, investment researching, ect.... but everyone is telling me how hard is to get into any of these fields nowadays... specially when you are from a Nontarget school (but is the best university in my country Spain). Damn, why was I not born in USA?
About what I want to do, I want to travel around the world while working, so i dont know which profile has more chances to do it.
traveling? sounds like consulting material right there. All you need to do is replace "the world" with "bumblefuck, USA" and you are good to go
If you like the stats stuff check out analytics. Huge field that is growing a rapid pace right now and supply is less than demand.
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