Derivatives class in college

If I am 100% positive that I will not pursue a career in ibanking, is there a point in taking a derivatives class? Should I take some easier courses like international financial markets?

What are some good courses for Asset Management/FA

 
makers mark:
Just take what you're most interested in-otherwise it will suck

I disagree with this sentiment. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and learn to like what you have to do.

-MBP
 
everythingsucks:
makers mark:
Just take what you're most interested in-otherwise it will suck

I disagree with this sentiment. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and learn to like what you have to do.

I agree with everythingsucks.

You should take the derivatives class whether you like it or not. I took one last semester and it was basically a math class, but it was really helpful. I learned a lot about the basics of options, futures, forwards, swaps, etc.

MKballer
 
mkballer:
You should take the derivatives class whether you like it or not. I took one last semester and it was basically a math class, but it was really helpful. I learned a lot about the basics of options, futures, forwards, swaps, etc.

Which book did you use?

 
Best Response
mkballer:
everythingsucks:
makers mark:
Just take what you're most interested in-otherwise it will suck

I disagree with this sentiment. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and learn to like what you have to do.

I agree with everythingsucks.

...

i see what you did there.

Gekko21:
econ:
mkballer:
econ, we used Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives by John Hull, 7th ed.

Which is supposed to be a pretty good book, right? What'd you think of it, personally?

It's not too bad and it is used by nearly every college derivatives course. The good thing about it is that there are end of chapter questions and problems so that you can practice actually doing the math yourself--Natenberg doesn't have that option.

agree. i'm not fantastic at maths but the concepts from the book were WAY more accessible than the disaster of a book i had envisioned in my mind. especially after attempting to read my econometrics textbook in first year, which i gave up on.

 

Reiciendis aut nostrum sit optio sint atque. Molestiae voluptatem ut est velit. Fugiat aut sapiente voluptatum ut nisi ipsa consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 25 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
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

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...”