Engineer to Quant, how?
I work as engineer in MM HF.
On day to day, I work with quants from different PM teams to set up their infrastructure. Quant will then deploy code (python, R, C++) into the environment created by me.
I come from EE, skilled in infra, coding (python) and all sort of DevOps tooling.
HOW DO I TRANSFORM INTO QUANT???
I am thinking of 1) master of statistics 2) leetcode. The former help me learn math in a systematic way while the latter sharpen my coding/algorithm skills.
What do you think? Thanks!
do you have any exposure into the models used by your firm?
if you want to be a quant, you need to research and find signals that create alpha....returns...spend your time researching looking for such patterns.
Thanks for the reply!
Unfortunately I have no visibility to their work. What I do usually is: install package, configure environment, build server and networking etc.
What these quant will use my machine for? I have no clue!
i would suggest getting a job as a software developer working on implementing the models that quants build...maybe at an investment bank...this will get your foot in the door...then you can lateral closer to the quants and get into signal research
That seems like a feasible approach
In fact, most of quant in my firm used to be developer in IB years ago
I also know some of my friends are doing “strat” in IB such as Goldman.
I assume strat is someone who use math/coding to implement strategies for business side
Sounds you like work in IT and not development. Otherwise confused by what you mean is “install package”. Like you should at least see the data sources and dataases they use no?
Like what you using your python skills to do?
Give u an example
A quant approach is saying they need python and MySQL set up.
Then I will install the python and MySQL (yum install)
Then I will handover to quant which they will do their development and I have no clue to their code nor their data
Just an infra engineer
Sounds like IT
This is IT. You do not work in front/middle office. You should look into grad school. But the programs you mentioned is niche, you like a financial engineering or some masters where a prof will let you do research.
As others have said, your job is IT, not engineering. My advice is to pick up a software engineering skillset and not worry about the statistics or applied math side of the world right now. This could be through a coding bootcamp, self-pedagogy, or a university degree (there are master's degrees in computer science for students with limited coding experience). With a software engineering skillset, you will have a reasonable path to becoming a quant dev, where you productionize and maintain the research code that alpha researchers write. From there, you would have the ability to move into an alpha research role.
faceslappingcompilation gave a similar recommendation. I don't think you will be able to pivot directly into quant research. It's too large of a gap to traverse. I interview and hire quant researchers and devs, and I wouldn't hire someone with your background for the quant research role. Even if you did Leetcode or pursued a financial engineering degree, I would have too much uncertainty around coding skills, research capabilities, and economic/finance knowledge.
It may seem indirect, but it will be easier to land as a researcher if you beef up your coding background and prove that you can work well as a software engineer in a quant dev environment. Then, there's no doubt about coding abilities, and there's less risk around finance knowledge.
This is a good direct advice. My sense OP may have the coding/software skills, some EE degrees are very heavy comp eng classes. But is not currently using or doing direct “development “. Therefore as mentioned probably need another degree work to get into development and go from there. Long way from quant for now.
You are right.
I learnt Java, python and web development in university. But I never developed a real life app or software for a company.
I usually write some small script of 10 or 20 lines for infra automation.
IT->Coding->Maintain Quant Code->Become a quant
Seems a LONG way to go but this is a clear path!
This is my first post in this forum and am thrilled by the response!
To summaries:
That sums up to be at least 10 years before I approach step 7.
am 29 years old now. But it’s never too late to start
Georgia Institute of Tech online computer science (OMSCS) seems to be a good choice for me.
Reasons below:
So I believe this will set me closer to being a development guy!
Sounds like a solid plan. Is it easy enough to be accepted though?
Good luck!
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