Computer Science to Wall Street?

Hey!

I'm currently choosing between UCLA and UMich for a undergad degree in CS. I like CS as a subject but I aim to work in some type of finance related industry, either iBanking or Hedge Funds, in the future. As a CS major, what can I do to make myself more appealing to recruiters?

Thanks!

 

There are some positive connotations with your major (smart and analytical strength) and some negatives (not primarily interested in finance, anti-social). I would try to engage in ECs that would adress these concerns, such as finance related activities/board positions/sports/greek life*.

*Please don't go greek for your resume though, go greek because you think you'd enjoy it.

 

OK, I forgot also two other options: - Do a PhD in CS at the university I am finishing my bachelor's. Focus on financial computing - algorithmic trading and the like. - Do a Msc in Financial math

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions again!

 

Your on the right track. but a more relevant forum for you would be quantnet. try to get into an MFE program, banks/funds recruit from there. Make sure you brush up on calc also. i think your in good shape!

 

careful with the MFE you get pigeon holed very quickly. With a comp sci degree financial modeling is really easy, trust me I'm a comp sci major and my models blow away any of my other associates'. Take finance/econ classes and learn the basics of finance and accounting so u can get through that technical part of the interview. Brush up on some modeling skills through training courses here or TTS so you can talk somehwat intelligently about them. Your best bet to get into wall st inv banking/inv mgmt is through MBA not MFE.

 
socola2003:
careful with the MFE you get pigeon holed very quickly. With a comp sci degree financial modeling is really easy, trust me I'm a comp sci major and my models blow away any of my other associates'. Take finance/econ classes and learn the basics of finance and accounting so u can get through that technical part of the interview. Brush up on some modeling skills through training courses here or TTS so you can talk somehwat intelligently about them. Your best bet to get into wall st inv banking/inv mgmt is through MBA not MFE.

I disagree. With the right MFE you'll be able to perform well in a wide variety of roles. People from my MFE now work in IBD, quant developmet, trading, quant analytics, quant modeling, PM etc etc. With a top MFE you have real skills with real value.

 

look at MFE placement versus MBA placement in IBD and Asset Mgmt for fuck sake. I agree for quant trading/coding at a hedge fund MFE is the way to go.

Also note that getting into the top MFE (Haas) is probably as hard as HBS, and there are only a handful of top MFE programs whereas there are at 10 top US programs, excluding the intl.

I looked at the MFE it is not a gauranteed step above MBA, the MBA is far more fluid, the netwrk stronger and the overall education more relevant to IBD skills than the pure quant focus of the MFE

 

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