Nerds are Taking Over the Street

Over the past few years, trading as an industry has evolved dramatically. Experienced vets are taking coding bootcamps, and the CS major is being pushed towards trading in the FO. The WSJ has coined the term "Strader", guys with the computer and analytical skills of strats, yet the instinct and risk appetite of traders.

This is long overdue for the industry. With the world moving towards a more tech and computer oriented society, trading has been, for the most part, left behind. Trading benefits from always being on top of innovation, having access to the latest information, and employing the smartest people. This just screams a computer centric evolution.

This environmental change demands a shift in the aptitude of the personnel, which explains the increasing popularity of CS engineers, Data science majors, and Math PhDs, the traditional quant guys, occupying trading and decision making roles in active investment management offices.

The line between the "Jocks" and the "Nerds" is slowly blurring, as people adapt to these changes. We're already seeing algo prop trading, HFT firms, and AI stock picking cleaning up traditional trading and investing roles on the Street. The combination of finance and tech is becoming lethal, and those who fail to adapt will be left behind.

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