Incoming Grad in HK - HELP
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Starting your career at 27, especially with an MBA, is not uncommon and should not negatively impact your work. Based on the most helpful WSO content, age is less of a concern in investment banking or finance roles as long as you can handle the workload and demonstrate your value. Many professionals have successfully started their careers in finance later than their peers and have thrived due to their maturity, experience, and focus. Your strong quantitative background and coding/ML skills are significant assets that can set you apart.
Desk Recommendations at HSBC:
Quantitative and Trading Desks: Given your coding and machine learning expertise, desks like Quantitative Trading, Algorithmic Trading, or Electronic Trading would be ideal. These areas leverage advanced quantitative methods and programming skills, aligning well with your strengths.
Global Markets (Fixed Income, Currencies, and Commodities - FICC): HSBC has a strong presence in FICC, and your quantitative skills could be valuable in roles related to pricing, risk management, or structuring.
Equity Derivatives or Structured Products: These desks often require a strong quantitative background for pricing complex instruments and developing innovative solutions.
Risk Management or Quantitative Research: If you're interested in a more research-oriented role, these areas could be a good fit, especially if you enjoy applying machine learning to financial modeling or risk analysis.
Emerging Markets or Asia-Focused Desks: HSBC has a strong footprint in Asia, so desks focusing on emerging markets or regional opportunities could offer significant growth potential.
Future Growth and Earning Potential:
Ultimately, aim for desks where your skills in coding and machine learning can be directly applied, as this will maximize your impact and career growth.
Sources: RE: Prop/Quant Trading - Why is it not as big a target as Investment Banking?, How to break into S&T as a graduate?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/dilemma-quantitative-finance-vs-finance?customgpt=1, Starting as IB analyst at age 27, For those who landed as a quant with only undergrad degree
I mean the people coming straight out of undergrad will be analysts and you'll be an associate - of course the expectation will be higher given you're older with more experience. MBA-level associate hiring is relatively common so you're not alone.
As for desks, what do you find interesting - equities, fixed income, FX? Discretionary/systematic? No point doing something you don't find engaging and you're also less likely to do well. How interested in macro are you? Also, what was your pre-MBA experience, surely this might point you to a particular asset class.
If you are quantitatively/coding strong then for sure look at more systematic desks. Good luck
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