Are investment bankers “smart”
Title says it all. I am studying math and physics, but I received &accepted an offer at an EB several months ago. I am genuinely concerned that I will be bored. On that note:
What truly makes you interested in investment banking? I don’t want to hear anything about the money. Pretend that you are being paid jack shit—would you still work this job? Do you believe it is intellectually stimulating?
Thanks guys.
go into quant trading/research my dude. more pay plus would suit yoyr background more
I would like to do a PhD in math, but I cannot shoulder any more loans. Are fruitful quant trading positions open for undergraduates? If so, do they pay decently?
Thank you for your comment.
Short answer, you don't need a PhD and yes they pay really really well. Read this post. It will answer all your questions.
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/ama-top-quant-firms-first-year-c…
Out of curiosity, what’s the typical day in the life of a quant trader? Is it sitting behind a computer screen and coding all day? If so, that sounds terrible. Trying to get a better understanding. Thanks.
Curious how you got an IB job with math and physics background lol
Go to a target school
.
Something like math/physics from a non target would make it easier than Econ/business from the same school. All else being equal, id much rather hire a 3.5 math/physics student from Georgia Tech than a 3.7 business major from a non or semi target.
Why the lol?
Lol he’s obviously smart as shit lol
I networked quite a bit and did very well on technicals.
Also a math major so here's my two cents. I loved math and equations and considered myself okay at them. But at some point I realized they are all somewhat pointless: the assumptions in models are bullshit and, while useful as a framework, nothing that 'happens' in the world really goes according to equations. Human interactions play a much bigger role than mathematicians would like to think.
Mastering equations is easy (relatively), mastering people isn't. IB is sales, i.e. 'mastering' people and I find that more interesting because it's harder. Of course I wouldn't do IB without the pay, but the pay and my interests are interconnected - if mastering people was such an easy task then IB wouldn't be a value add to the market and the pay would be shit.
Short answer No. They are more hardworking than intelligent
Not sure what to say here... congrats on the sex?
Lol… SB. Definitely sounded like more of a douche than I wanted to.
As a math major I testify that there are some very hot girls who study math and they love math nerds. So yeah, thanks.
Well, I, personally, am an idiot, so not helping the cause here
You need to be smarter than average - with severely diminishing returns above that 'smarter than average' inflection point. All else equal, a genius isn't likely to be much better at this job that just a regular smart guy. The difference maker is EQ after that inflection point. Oh yes, and hard work.
The truth is that the majority of high-paying jobs out there do not require genius level intellect.
If I remeber correctly, with an IQ of 125 you are able to master all challenges in a normal professional setting. While there is certainly 10-20 more points which could make a difference, at a certain point (imo 145-150) you will see adverse effects in aspects that are just as important for the job than intellect (inability to working in teams, inability to execute quickly by turning off a certain amount of reflection, communication skills etc.).
Investment Bankers, similarly to Lawyer and Consultants, at the top firms will most likely fall to a very high percentage in this 115-135 range which does not make them necessarily smart but very effective if other characteristics such as determination and stamina apply as well.
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