Hard Skills Needed coming from MSF
I'm at a decent MSF program right now, doing the job search but I need to know which hard skills will be the ones that land me a job. I'm one of the few domestics in the program, and my math skills are still developing (I got slightly less than 600, with a V score a multiple of the M score) but I'm working my ass off to catch up. During T-giving break I'll relearn trig, mainly to help me with all the calculus worksheets that have trig problems on them too. For credit analyst type positions, or IBD if I get lucky, what kind of things should I know how to DO. I am doing rather well in accounting, so IS/BS shouldn't be a problem, and I'll revisit cash flow statements. Any software aside from Bloomberg I should focus on? I've learned a bunch of Oracle Crystal Ball, Capital IQ, and Morningstar. When I learn linear algebra I'll learn MatLab (I have the whole program on my computer).
MatLab? For IBD basic arithmetic operations are more than enough. If you know how to multiply, divide, add and substract with Excel you have all the mathematical skills that you will need.
Focus on networking and interview technicals.
And the software programs are to convey the idea that I'm smart. While I'm at a good MSF program and school, I do have a lower gpa from the first semester due to math shock back then. Now I'm fine, tho the classes next semester have calc 2 material (think integrals, partial derivatives) and thus my grades depend on it. Matrices May show up too.
You know, before when I asked on wso about msf programs, someone coulda mentioned the kind of math needed..it woulda helped, know what I'm up against grading wise. I also could have applied to postbacc premed as well, more options, woulda been nice. You and others can say all you want how its "mainly adding and dividing" but the university classes are much, MUCH more.
The fact that you decided to invest in a graduate program without proper due diligence or a real end game seems to contradict anything that you are trying to convey by learning software programs. Buy the WSO technical guide and you should be all set for interviews.
The fact of the matter is you simply do not do difficult or complex math on the job. Yes, for your classes you need to know that nonsense but to get a job as an ib or credit analyst it is pretty much useless. Follow what others have already said and get the technical guides (they will have all the specifics you need) to prep with and go to sleep knowing that even though you dont have a mastery of calculus and trig you can still get a job if you prepare the right way (in case you were wondering, learning linear algebra and working with it in MatLab is not the right way to get the jobs you are seeking).
What MSF program are you in? Calc 2 sounds pretty rough for anything outside of Princeton/MIT. In fact, I think you can probably skip calculus all together by selecting a program that doesn't require econometrics.
Check out SMU's sample schedule. I don't see anything there that would require calculus and that's after reading through all the lecture notes for the options course:
http://www.cox.smu.edu/web/msf/sample-degree-plan
I also know that Baruch's econometrics class for the MSF program is all stats and you can ace the course without knowing calc 1.
I'm sorry, but calc and stats is what you need for most msf programs. Also, I am not going to spell out every interview technical you need. Saying prep for technicals should be enough. Get a wso guide or Google and you will find out.
Valuation class - Dcf, basic math Options - basic math Theory of finance - calc Fixed income - bond math corporate finance - LBO, case studies, basic math Financial modeling - come programming stuff, stata, R, basic math.
I took grad stats when I did the program, now it is econometrics. Once again, calc, stats, probability.
Not sure what you want or need. Maybe you are rusty at math, but 90% of what you see in an MSF you should have seen before in a bachelor of Science degree with some math classes.
is math skill from msf program enough ? (Originally Posted: 11/20/2014)
I am currently at msf program and plan to apply s&t, my courses include stochastic calculus, financial econometrics. most of you guys got math or engineering undergrad but I only have a finance undergrad. Do i have chance?
What function specifically are you looking for?
So what? study on your own.If you want it bad enough you'll make it.
Study on your own. Buy supplemental material (used copies it you have to). You can make it! Stop thinking negative.
Why do you think you need more math than that for S&T? I'm starting FT from a Finance/Accounting undergrad on a pretty technical desk and all I have is the Calculus sequence, linear algebra and 3 statistics courses. You need more than stochastic calculus and econometrics if you want to be a quant, but for sales or trading you don't do that much math.
I second Anonymoose. You really don't need much math skill at all for S&T, unless you're a quant. Computers do the hard stuff. Btw Anonymoose, what area of S&T are you in?
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