I am from the UK. Il be attending a target (UCL, if anyone here has heard of it) for a masters degree in natural sciences. Il be majoring in Physical chemistry, minoring in maths & stats. Gcses are all A's and A*s, My A level grades are AAA (math, chem, bio with an A in AS history). During my gap year i have interned at a systematic trading hedge fund (and a stratergy consultancy if it counts for anything) and for the past couple years have been learning c# and c++ and can code pretty competently in them.
My main interest is in electronic trading, but I feel as though I really shot myself in the foot by not getting an A* in maths A level (it was 1 UMS point off), doing further maths A level and ultimately studying an even more quanty degree.
My worry is that for normal s&t desks, Ill just look like a guy really interested in technology, and then on the other hand, I really doubt I have any shot for places like Jane Street and Getco due to not doing further maths/getting an a* in maths a level/doing a traditionally quanty degree. My question is, am I just stuck in the middle? What are my options?
A-Levels really don't count on this level, it's the uni brand name what matters. UCL is a target as you have also mentioned (Jane Street recruits there anyway) so you won't have a problem landing first round interviews for BB S&T.
You are also going to have a shot for the top prop trading firms as you got a good school and a quant subject on your CV. That's all they care about when they give out first rounds but truth be told I would be much rather worried about the interview process itself (particularly at JS): it's all technical, several rounds, and questions are kinda difficult (without targeted prep it will be very hard).
Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I have heard about the crazy interviews. How do you feel i fare for standard s&t roles at BB's?
I'm not sure but the word is that it will be harder to break in to S&T from a masters degree because the higher pay they are required to give you, or something like that. Again it's not 100% information and I don't know if it's true how hard would it make things.
Nevertheless, get your CV in shape by the UCL investments society, craft a good story on why trading, and just prep for interviews. If you want to go into something like derivatives (kinda like the medium complexity, not too quanty, not too qualitative), I highly recommend you buying the guide at salesandtradingcareers.com (written by an ex options trader at a BB in London) because that is basically going to cut it at every interview.
Minima sed facilis unde rem ratione. Occaecati animi beatae in accusamus nihil ut omnis. Aut harum minus temporibus quidem temporibus iure ad. Corrupti veniam fugiat amet et cum quo consequatur. Saepe qui nihil ut et velit. Dolor qui maiores voluptate ullam.
Nulla quasi maxime esse ut. Consequatur ut deleniti suscipit aut id.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...