Best Path to break-in to finance from data science

Hello, another monkey looking for some career advice. I am looking to find the best path (and honestly the best goal positions/ finance divisions) I should strive for to break into finance. I work as a data scientist now and I am currently doing a MS in DS online. Currently in my position, I like the working with numbers and the coding but I want to have a career where I feel like I have more control over my earnings and my position and ideally where I can interact with other humans more often than I do now. I have contemplated applying to some PhD programs in CS to go to some Quant positions but I see that the MFE might be an option for me as well. Wondering if you all have any advice for how a CS background can possibly be used to get me into the world of finance. Any advice would be mucho appreciated

2 Comments
 

Hey there, fellow primate! It's great to hear that you're considering a move into finance. With your background in data science, you're already equipped with a valuable skill set that can be applied in various areas of finance.

For starters, quantitative finance roles such as Quant Analyst or Quantitative Trader could be a good fit. These roles often require strong skills in programming and data analysis, which it sounds like you already have. An MFE could certainly help you break into these roles, but it's not always necessary.

Another path could be to leverage your data science skills in a more traditional finance role. For example, many investment banks and private equity firms are increasingly using data science to inform their investment decisions. You could potentially work in a role where you're analyzing financial data and building predictive models.

Lastly, FinTech could be another area worth exploring. Many FinTech companies are at the intersection of finance and technology, and they often value skills in data science and programming.

Remember, networking is key in finance. So, start reaching out to people in the industry to learn more about these roles and make connections. Good luck on your journey!

Sources: Breaking in without any degree, Best way to break into CRE coming from a computer science background?, How to Break into Content Acquisition?, It's still possible to break in, in this economy

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