How to become a Hedge Fund analyst?

I'm working in marketing/customer service in the healthcare industry and I'm wondering how I should approach this. I plan on applying to some of the top 20 MBA programs in the fall. What can I do to help me prepare between now and MBA graduation for a job as a Hedge fund analyst?

Will it be possible as a career switcher to get this job post MBA?

I heard a lot of people get into Hedge funds after going into investment banking. Is this the path I'm going to have to take?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

Why do you want to become a hedge fund analyst? Not trying to be rude or anything but you don't sound like you have any inclination toward finance. Just fyi, MBA helps not-at-all with hedge fund recruiting, it might marginally help with Private Equity, but you don't have prior experience. The most realistic outcome with an MBA would be a higher paying strategy/consulting position, business management side.

 
Best Response

To be honest I'm not 100 percent sold on it but right now I'm debating between management consultant in entertainment/media ( hopefully) or hedge fund analyst and I'm researching both jobs. I went to a top 3 liberal arts school where accounting and business were not offered. By the time I realized what I wanted to do it was too late in school. I like the idea of working with public markets and predicting success and failures of companies, and determining what makes a successful company. I've always liked investing and Asset Management.

My undergrad school has great connections in finance as well, so I'm hoping with an MBA I'll have a decent shot.

I'm not going to lie. I also like the pay in both of those jobs. I know they are both a longshot. But I'm just trying to figure out what I can do to improve my chances.

The two things I've heard so far are either take the CFA or go the investment banking route first for HF.

I think I have a pretty good shot of getting into Cornell Johnson and UNC which do well in IB. Cornell I'm sure does better with HF placement just by being closer to NYC. ( I would think).

If I could get into Columbia that would probably give me the best chance.

The only thing that worries me about consulting is the high turnover rate. Which is why I might be leaning more towards IB or HF.

What would you do in my situation? Thanks

 

positions will vary in scope depending on the type of hedge fund it is.

some shops are highly quantitative and seek out candidates with different scientific backgrounds (e.g. physics, comp sci., etc.).

other firms may be able to leverage ibanking related skills.

so i think it will be good if you spend some time looking at the different type of funds to find out where you think you will fit in.

some firms love when you walk in the door with models that you have built in your spare time. time series are cheap. plug away :o)

 
riemann:

some firms love when you walk in the door with models that you have built in your spare time. time series are cheap. plug away :o)

What kind of models can be impressive and get me in the door?

Hang in there!
 
tdctka:
What kind of models can be impressive and get me in the door?

usually the leggy sweeds work, but dont be afraid to rely on the brazilians.

Would you please lay it out more specifically?

Hang in there!
 

HAHA, did no one notice this?

rosebudxiaojie:
tdctka:
What kind of models can be impressive and get me in the door?

usually the leggy sweeds work, but dont be afraid to rely on the brazilians.

Would you please lay it out more specifically?

Brazilian... is that similar to a Bermuda option pricing model?

 

depends on the focus on the hedge fund...

want to work for a group that specializes in futures? build a model that trades futures... or options on futures..

etc...

Define the strategy/model... - whats is its focus? - how does it get executed? - how are position sizes determined? - how are you managing risks?

 

i didnt know if that guy was serious or not.

i heard that some guy up in new england is working on some brazilian model. its supposed to be event driven.

 

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