Want a Quant Finance job, but I don’t like my math major. What do I do?
Hi all,
I’m currently a freshman at a T10 target school for finance recruitment.
I want to graduate and get a job in Quant finance / Fintech. I’m interested in these jobs because the pay is for top FinTech positions is much higher than the pay for top IB positions with less hours and more meaningful work.
Is a math major ABSOLUTELY necessary for the highest paying 30% of fintech positions?
For context, I am currently pursuing a math and Econ double major. Math is less fun for me and doesn’t come to me as naturally as Econ (before you say that this is a sign that I shouldn’t pursue Quant finance, I am still interested in financial modeling through math, but the deeply theoretical concepts are annoying and sluggish to me).
Is it possible for me to just pursue a math and CS minor instead of a math major?
What is the right approach to having a good shot at top Quant Finance positions without a degree in math? Or should I just power through in math?
Try applied math+cs (if an applied math major is offered). You’ll still have to get through 1-2 very theoretical classes, but most will be very applied
First things first, choosing a job based off of pay is an awful idea. It sounds good up until you have to slog day in, day out for years doing something you hate and dreading going to work every time you wake up. It's a cliche, but you will make better money by being good at doing what you enjoy, rather than grinding through something you hate.
Second thing, if you find economics much more natural and don't enjoy working through the theory of math, I'd caution you again against going into quant. Perhaps a more data-driven approach to macro might interest you more? Quant work, depending on the firm, I'm speaking with regard to a well-known HF with quant leanings, can be quite academic. As an intern last summer, I had to read through dense academic papers on stats and math theory throughout the summer. If that doesn't interest you, then a lot of quant positions will not be a good fit. Quant work tends to be along the same lines of the problem-solving skills you glean in technical majors, and the same types of thinking are applied, so if you don't enjoy that, then you likely won't enjoy quant either.
Third and final thing, a lot of quant interviews ask brainteasers that don't require specific prior knowledge in math, just good problem-solving skills. However, a lot of firms don't consider non-technical majors as strongly as technical majors, so a major in stats, CS, even a hard science like physics, would serve you better than an econ if you're dead-set on trying for quant positions. I doubt that a minor in math/CS would give you enough of the necessary background, you'd have to supplement it with further stats classes, maybe some extra algorithms/ML classes as well (this would at least be true at the HYPSM school I attend).
What specifically do you not like about mathematics? At uni, I hated going to classes, doing what people told me, so I never went. The fact I hated classes, plus hangovers, also made me pay less attention, hence, I considered going to classes a terribly inefficient usage of my personal time. I liked making the exercises at home though. Also turned out I loved working on my master's thesis and focus on specific areas I personally found interesting. I also used to hate mathematics in high school because my grades were terrible. Started loving it after I had some great teachers and grades naturally went up afterward.
In general, think really hard about who you are as a person, what you like, what your gut tells you. This will give you the confidence to tackle situations life throws at you and will make you stand out from the "I do something because people tell me to" crowd (the vast majority of people and especially those using this forum).
so the actual message here is clear. you're not that good at math (not saying I am either) - no need to hide it by adding the "dont find it enjoyable stuff" lol. if the best you can do is an undergrad econ major (instead of at least cs or applied math), then yeah with quite a high probability you're not gonna land any quant roles.
You kidding? You want to be in quant finance but not go through the rigorous math classes?
Hey I want to be a chef but I don't want to learn how to cook.
Well if you will be working in the quant area, then of course you need math. Quants are all about math, so then the answer is yes, you need math.
You're kidding right?
Even saying you land the job, how long do you think you're going to last competing against people who all found math pretty easy?
Imma be honest the freshman and sophomore math classes are a joke compared to higher level courses. If you don't like them now and aren't great at them, it's only going to get worse. There are a lot of ways to make money man, try to find a way you like.
this is why I don't pick up resume from undergrads for quant roles
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