Is it necessary for me to learn Python if I knew Matlab well?

I am a Ph.D. candidate in the field of Nuclear Engineering. I am considering applying for a Quantitative Researcher position this fall (either hedge fund or investment bank). I am planning to allocate the next 6 months carefully for the preparation of transition. By talking to some other people in the quant field, I noticed many use Python on a day-by-day basis. However, in my work I mostly use Matlab and C++. I am curious:

For interviews, is it still necessary for me to learn Python, if I am already familiar with Matlab?

I am new to WSO so please remind me if I came to the wrong sub-forum. Thanks!

2 Comments
 

You don't need to be a Python expert for interviews. Just know the basics and make sure your interviewers know that you don't know Python. (i.e. do not put it on your resume)

Most interviews will be a mix of of brainteasers/math and programming questions using pseudocode so no need to know the details of some library (unless of course you claim to know it on your resume - then it's fair game!)

If you know C++ and Matlab, you should be able to pick up Python pretty quickly.

 

Dolor recusandae ut molestiae voluptas. Nisi veritatis ipsa praesentium doloremque sunt est magni. Numquam ut et odit excepturi est sed et. Quis excepturi consectetur ea aliquam aliquam voluptates.

Sed earum perspiciatis eos aut tempore nulla exercitationem. Laudantium facere nihil quia quasi eveniet est accusamus. Et possimus et eius sint aut culpa. Qui qui rerum distinctio enim quas nihil ipsa. Aliquam qui maiores ut modi sequi similique.

I have a friend who lives in the country, and it's supposed to be an hour from 42nd Street. A lie! The only thing that's an hour from 42nd Street is 43rd Street!

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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...”