Physics PhD trying to get into finance industry
Hello everyone,
I just found out about this website. I am currently a physics PhD candidate from Rice university doing theoretical physics (mostly modeling). As you all know, getting into academia is like needle in a haystack.
I am planning to break into finance industry (either investment banking, quant or corporate finance). I have taken some financial modeling class from Rice and planning to take more near future. I have some concerns about getting a job since I don't have any background in finance.
1) Should I take CFA or Series 79? Does that weigh a lot on my resume?
2) Should I get a master of finance from my local non-target school in addition to my PhD.
3) Should I even wait to get my PhD or just quit with my master and try to find a job?
Thank you very much. Please give me any comments or advice. I am really kind of lost here.
What year of your PhD are you in? Or more specifically, what year did you enroll in the PhD, and what year are you anticipated to finish? To answer your questions:
I think a number of quant-type firms will be open to you... also, you might like that kind of a job better.
Make sure you take a look at the options you laid out, pick one and then go after that. People will want to see that you know exactly what you want - i.e. quant HF, banking, corp fin for a company that works in an area related to your research.... Saying "I'm open to anything" or sounding unsure won't help with recruiting... that said, when starting to network you can be a little more open about that as you try to zero in on what you want. Asking about peoples' jobs, their day, what they see in their future, etc will help you decide.
Also, a friend's husband has a PhD in theoretical physics and was doing post-doctoral research (something on string theory, but he never liked to talk about his work... I wish he had as I stopped a physics undergrad degree when I decided I didn't want to teach/do something like med school but still enjoy the topics even though I can't keep up) while traveling the world from uni to uni... seemed like a nice gig to me. Really fit my friend's lifestyle as well... she liked languages and speaks at least 4 academically.
Anyway, he has since moved to a quant HF in I think London. He had no background in finance, just networked and had good reasons for making the move. So it is definitely possible!
Good luck!
Physics PhD candidate trying to get into finance industry (Originally Posted: 04/20/2015)
Hello everyone, I just found out about this website. I am currently a physics PhD candidate from Rice university doing theoretical physics (mostly modeling). As you all know, getting into academia is like needle in a haystack. I am planning to break into finance industry (either investment banking, quant or corporate finance). I have taken some financial modeling class from Rice and planning to take more near future. I have some concerns about getting a job since I don't have any background in finance. 1) Should I take CFA or Series 79? Does that weigh a lot on my resume? 2) Should I get a master of finance from my local non-target school in addition to my PhD. 3) Should I even wait to get my PhD or just quit with my master and try to find a job?
Thank you very much. Please give me any comments or advice. I am really kind of lost here.
I have some friends in similar situations (STEM Ph.D) going into finance (IBD).
Promise you, first question you will get: "Why did you waste your time doing a Ph.D if you want to be an analyst?" Also, the most common feedback to candidates was: "I'm sure you're a smart guy, but nothing on your resume says 'Finance'".
CFA helped answer that comment. CFA is almost a pre-req in Toronto (highest CFA's per capita in the world I hear), less important in the U.S.
You can't write the the Series 79 without sponsored (employed) by a FINRA member firm. In Canada, you can write the Canadian Securities Course (CSC, similar type of qualification) without being sponsored, but it is hardly considered a prestigious credential.
Subscribed.
Any physics phds? (Originally Posted: 09/13/2010)
Anyone else a Physics PhD?
It is my understanding that the sole reason an expungement exists is for situations like yours. My brother was in a similar situation and said 'no' with no repercussions. (This may very well be a state by state thing though).
^^ And that was for a security clearance which, I would hope, is a much more intense background check.
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