Is Desk Quant a worthy jump?

I just interviewed with a junior desk quant position in a non-BB Fixed Income desk. The team is small and gradually built up so there are many opportunities I assumed. And I will report directly to head of desk.

I'm now working in technology team in a BB which involves daily support with traders as well. Although the program is called IT quant, it is still an IT position.

Is it a worthy jump if my career goal is trading? Are there much differences in terms of difficulties to break in trading between quant and IT role? I just begin working for a year so I don't want to change a job very frequently unless it makes sense.

Thanks.

4 Comments
 

Yes, I know a few that have made the jump.

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 

Both are very different jobs. Quant deks usually involve a lot of research and a good quantitative background, this is not only about programming. I know some deks where only phds are hired and they are up to date on the latest research in their fields.

 

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