Odds at prop shop for non-stem degree
As above, what are my chances at breaking into a prop shop or into S&T in general with a non-stem degee. I have almost finished my Bachelor of Commerce majoring in finance and have taken a few CS electives.
I recently downloaded most of the books listed on QuantNet that are recommended for people about to enter into a MFE program. If I can finish and understand this material in the next 6-12 months before I start recruiting would this be sufficent? Is the knowledge gained sufficent or is the degree itself needed?
Are you looking for full time? I know a lot of the firms in Chicago have finished FT recruiting. If you are at a target school (which for prop means top engineering school in the midwest or ivy), you can go try to check out on campus events, but I think applying at this point for full time is going to be tough, so network. In terms of the recommended texts on quantnet, they will be overkill for trying to get an entry level job trading. Unless you are planning on pursuing an MFE, I wouldn't recommend it as nobody is going to quiz you on stochastic calculus for an entry level trading spot. In the case that you do want to pursue an MFE, you need to have at least taken multivar calc, linear algebra, and probability theory and done well in undergrad to apply to many of the schools.
If you can understand Hull and Natenberg and communicate that well, thats your best bet, however in most of the trading interviews I've had for prop, the questions are strictly mental math/brain teasers as well as fit. Unless you've stated on your resume that you have taken a course in options or something, they will most likely not ask you (though again, this depends on the firm). Most of the good places just want to see that you are smart, they typically teach you the rest.
Thanks for the response. Yes, I had a feeling this might be overkill but figured it would be interesting to learn some of the material regardless.
I am recruiting for full time but I am located in Australia so the timeframes are different. My main concern is that I am smart/prepared enough for recruiting, which based on your post seems to be achievable.
@econometricks: Would a Bachelor in Commerce be strong enough to break in? I was under the impression that a mathematics/engineering etc. background is required.
Is an economics degree mathematical enough to get through the screening?
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