I finally figured out what I want to do. The problem is getting there.
I’ve been jumping from one degree/program to another for a while, and only recently did I step back and realize that there has actually been a pretty consistent thread through all of it.
I started with Actuarial Science.
I liked the mathematics and the analytical side, but I wasn’t particularly interested in insurance. When I started applying for internships and ended up being pushed toward sales-related work, I remember thinking, this sucks.
So I did a software engineering bootcamp.
That was probably the most fun I’ve had learning. I learned Python, built things, broke things, fixed them, and realized that I genuinely enjoy engineering.
But then came the difficult part: building things and still not getting hired.
At some point I came across Financial Engineering and thought: this is it.
It combines the things I’ve been drawn to all along: mathematics, programming, statistics, data, markets, and building systems.
And now I’ve built a small quant portfolio around that interest. Looking at it all together, I finally see what I was trying to get to.
The problem is that I’m from Kenya, and I’m very aware of how difficult the quant path is from here.
I’m not coming from an Ivy League or a traditional target school. I don’t have the typical pedigree that seems to open the door to quant firms. I know that makes this significantly harder.
But here’s the thing: I don’t just like the idea of being a quant.
I actually enjoy the work.
I like financial engineering. I like building systems. I like mathematics. I like the research process. I even like the ridiculous moments where you’re sitting there at night wondering why an option was priced the way it was yesterday and trying to figure out what you missed.
That’s the part that makes me think I should at least try.
So I’m asking people here who actually work in quant, or have gone through the recruiting process:
What would you do in my position?
If you were coming from a non-target school, outside the major financial centers, with a quantitative background and some software/data experience, how would you realistically make yourself competitive?
Would you focus on building a stronger research portfolio?
Try to get into a PhD/MFE at a target school?
Aim for quant-adjacent roles first?
Try to get into a trading firm through a different route?
Or is the pedigree barrier simply too large to overcome without relocating and going back to school?
I’m not looking for encouragement for the sake of encouragement. I’d genuinely rather hear the uncomfortable truth.
If the answer is “this is a very long shot, but here’s the path I’d take,” that’s useful too.
I finally found something I actually want to spend years getting good at.
I just need to figure out how to get through the door.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a realistic roadmap for someone in your position:
1. Leverage Your Strengths and Build a Portfolio
2. Focus on Coding and Mathematical Proficiency
3. Target a Master's or PhD Program
4. Network Strategically
5. Consider Quant-Adjacent Roles
6. Prepare for Interviews
7. Be Persistent and Realistic
8. Relocation and Pedigree
Final Thoughts
The path you're considering is challenging, but your passion for the work and willingness to put in the effort are significant advantages. Focus on building a strong foundation, showcasing your skills, and networking strategically. Even if the journey takes time, the skills you develop along the way will be valuable in various roles within finance and beyond.
Sources: Q&A: Quantitative Analyst - Machine Learning, Analytics, & Quantitative Research/Investing, The Case for Choosing a Non-Target, Undergrads: Non-finance, non-target, not a problem. 5 Steps to get you started., How do you become a Quant Trader?
1) Stop writing your posts with AI. This seems to be ChatGPT in particular. It is clearly writing fresh content, not translating poor English, so you clearly seem not to care about this that much
2) Get to a target school somehow
3) Start working your own quant portfolio. No material invested capital. I mean build up a personal portfolio of quant projects and strategies you’ve self built
4) Compete in quant competitions or those online challenges
5) Figure out which region/regions you want to work in and go from there. Quant firm in AF? Find where they’re concentrated and go to their targets. EU? UK/IT targets. NA? Obvious
I totally get the point about the writing. English isn't my first language, so I use Grammarly and ChatGPT to clean up what I've written. I promise it's not AI slop😅. I will improve on this, thank you!
As for target schools, that's honestly one of the biggest constraints. They’re expensive, and given my background, I don't have the resources to simply pick up and attend one of them.
I'm already building my own quant projects, and I've actually been doing that for a while. For a long time, though, it felt like I was building in a void, so I think the next step is to start publishing the work properly and putting it out there.
The advice from the bot about quant-adjacent roles is also useful. I can use that as a way to get closer to the industry while working toward relocating to a region where the quant ecosystem is actually concentrated.
So realistically, that's probably the route I'll take: keep building, start publishing, compete where I can, and get into finance through an adjacent role if necessary, as I work toward relocation and eventually a stronger academic and networking position.
I appreciate the blunt answer though. This is exactly the kind of reality check I was looking for. Thanks again!
“But here's the thing: I don't just like the idea of being a quant.” This is AI written. If you’d written your whole post in Swahili and then asked ChatGPT/other to translate it this sentence would not exist.
That said, I’ll stop giving you such a hard time. Just don’t think it’s not visible.
Target schools being too expensive:
* Understandable. However, you are in prime position to apply for scholarships and bursaries at various schools. Worth exploring this. Also look for exchange programmes and year-abroad programmes.
* Quant is one of those industries where a respected education is almost non-negotiable. Not quite as bad as medicine, but far more strict than many others. Especially whether you have an MA/PhD. Worth gunning for if you can.
Quant projects: Good. Show these off and most importantly get better. Anyone can come up with a strategy and backtest it until it looks perfect. There’s this guy online who just launched a company called QuantPad - I’ve seen some solid no bullshit advice from him though it’s not my field.
Bot response: Just read it and yes, its advice is solid. Note that it is fairly optimistic, you’ll need to be *aggressive* to pull this off.
Your suggested plan of action sounds ok, but it’s very vague. It’s the kind of plan that lets you keep doing bits and pieces here and there and *feeling* like you’re making progress. You probably would be, but too slowly to mean anything; you should set yourself some more tangible goals along these various axes (location, role, portfolio, etc). They will give you something to hold yourself to and to keep in mind during tough decisions. I have made this mistake before.
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