About coding in Finance


So I have been overwhelmed with deciding whether to choose R, SQL, Python to learn since each department of finance requires a different coding language. My take so far is to learn data manipulation, data wrangling, and visualization with R, then move on to data management with SQL Server, parallel learning Excel, then specialize Python for financial tasks such as credit modeling, GARCH modeling. Is this the ideal path for me while in college or should I drop some of them? Any advice is appreciated, TIA!

 

If your aim is IB then you don’t need any of those except intermediate excel going in. None of my finance classes in college used the rest and I’m a recent grad.

 

R and Python are both great, can’t go wrong either way. Python is probably stronger for longer term career quant skills, but R has some great data visualization tools. Wouldn’t hurt to have strength inn both.

 
Most Helpful

R is better for research, Python is better for production. You can do virtually all data wrangling tasks in either, however I prefer using R because less code is often needed for a similar task in Python.

R Studio (The most popular IDE) just implemented Python compatibility, so you can use either language when working on projects. 
 

FWIW, some will say learn what the office uses, but in my experience it boils down to “here’s a problem, use whatever tools available to solve it”. If you can master one, learning the other isn’t too difficult 

 

Temporibus nobis modi fuga repudiandae aut. Qui est laborum quam ad magni modi. In velit nulla sint cum officia. Exercitationem illo quo recusandae ea.

Quaerat asperiores incidunt voluptate error. Vel voluptates quis sequi consectetur. Velit quia eius qui nulla accusantium sunt temporibus. At et aut earum alias rem omnis necessitatibus velit. Et perspiciatis consequatur minima aliquid minus.

Qui quisquam recusandae consectetur placeat cupiditate autem. Dicta esse corrupti consequuntur ut unde. Dolor beatae laudantium eveniet magnam impedit nihil perspiciatis. Molestias et harum fugit iure porro laudantium dolore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”