Confused - Algo Trading Strategies developer looking for career options
I am an Algorithmic trading Strategies developer for a software firm. I develop strategies like vwap, twap etc. and work with both buy side and sell side clients. The work involves lot of programming work in C++. I also passed CFA level 1.
I am doing this since 1 year or so.. At the same time, I am immensely interested in trading. I do trade on a daily basis on my personal account.
I am confused about the career path from here. Ideally I would like to get involved in trading, get some front office role, as well as make tons of money :) (I currently make around 140-150K with bonus)..
I am confused - any suggestions/advice ? What are the opportunities in the Algo trading space that are interesting and fit the bill ? Help please !
Hey algoguy. Good to see another person interested in algo trading here at WSO. As for your question, I'd be curious to know your educational background. I understand you've been doing your current job for about a year now, but what else do you bring to the table? I ask because I am currently in a quant trading analyst program at a major BB so I have a pretty good understanding of what it would take to get here/what the banks are looking for. Knowing more about your background and interests will give me a better gauge of where you might fit.
You seem like you would be a good fit at most prop firms that are looking for quants/developers/algo traders. If you have a master's or a phd in CS, you're an even better fit.
A lot of prop shops are hiring people like you; it shouldn't be tough to land interviews with your resume. I know right now jump and spot trading in Chicago are looking for algo traders.
Thank you for your responses. I have 6 years of core CS type work experience (kernel level high performance).. I guess that would be considered equivalent to at least an MS if not a Phd.
The input about prop trading firms is great. Any clues on whether I could fit somewhere easily in an Investment bank or a hedge fund ??
Thanks!
Any more ideas for fitting positions at IB or hedge funds ?
Thanks.
HI algoguy, seems like you're on the right track -- but what would you say is strategic about vwap/twap?
What trading strategies are you interested in?
How do you trade in your PA?
I just mentioned Vwap/Twap as they are basic and known to all. There are tens of others, which are more specialised towards various asset classes like futures, options, arbitrage etc.
On my PA, I play with Options and to a smaller extent on equities. Usually I do day-trading, but sometimes, I do retain positions across days.
Not much help to your original question, but what platform/broker do you use for your PA if you don't mine me asking?
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