Possibility of pivoting to tech (ML, data science, fintech, etc)
Recently joined a vol trading desk at a top BB and a good chunk of my day is data science/ML projects. Come from a STEM background at a T20 school (not CS), but realizing I may not be able to deal with the high stress of this role for the rest of my life. I find the work fascinating, just would be interested in finding something with slightly better WLB down the line. Are all HFs this sweaty (12+ hour days)? Any other exit suggestions?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, pivoting to tech roles like machine learning (ML), data science, or fintech is a viable option, especially given your STEM background and current exposure to data science/ML projects on the vol trading desk. Here are some insights and suggestions:
1. Transition to Tech Roles
2. Work-Life Balance (WLB) in Hedge Funds (HFs)
3. Exit Suggestions
4. Steps to Prepare for a Pivot
Ultimately, transitioning to tech is a realistic and promising path, especially if you're seeking better WLB and a less stressful environment.
Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/trading/move-to-tech-in-search-of-better-wlb?customgpt=1, I'm currently an equity derivatives/vol trader: Q&A!, Prop Trading (MM) v.s. BB Sales and Trading, I'm currently an equity derivatives/vol trader: Q&A!, From BO to FO and back again, or, how I learned to stop worrying and love technology
A lot of the people on the more quantitative desks moved over to tech, but I found the most common place people went was execution at HF or to AMs for less stress.
If you're looking for less stressful hedge fund slots, systematic funds are less stressful, and my experience at prop shops has always been that they work really hard to keep you sane(40-45 hour work weeks, lots of collaboration, internal movement, etc.) because the prop shops are all about talent retention.
Is there overlap between the BB trading skillset and the systematic funds? Only a couple desks like systematic credit, eFX, CRB, and maybe some of the ETF people come to mind. But, I'm not sure how this experience is looked at.
Depends on the desk. A good number from equity derivs go to shops doing systematic options and OMMs. It's a sliding scale when on a trading desk. I've also seen S&T->macro->systematic macro->systematic along with S&T->Prop trader->Quant trader->quant researcher at prop shop->quant at systematic shop. You'd have to pick up a lot as you go, but generally the great thing about trading and markets is that it's so driven by results that you can basically do whatever you want if you print(exaggerating a little, but generally I've seen senior quant traders at prop shops only work market hours because they print. It's 100% possible to get good WLB as a trader with less stress, you just need a reputation and skills.)
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