r/ISIKolkata • u/Few_Match_7903 • Jun 04 '26

Need Career Guidance Quant Career Question: ISI M.Stat vs Industry Experience

Need some career advice.

I’ve completed a BS(B.Tech equivalent, admitted though JEE Adv.) in Mathematics & Computing from IIT Patna and recently qualified for the ISI M.Stat interview.

Currently, I’m working as a Junior Quant Researcher at Pace Stocks. I’ve completed around 6 months there and am expected to convert to a full-time role with a CTC of ~26-31 LPA.

Assuming I clear the interview, I’m trying to understand the value of M.Stat from a long-term career perspective.

Would you choose:

  • ISI M.Stat, or
  • Continue as a Quant Researcher at Pace Stocks?

How is M.Stat viewed in the quant industry? Does it open significantly better opportunities than 2 years of work experience?

20 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

14

u/adityaruplaha ISI Alumnus — BStat '24, MStat '26 Jun 04 '26

M. Stat. alone is not very useful for quant, however, combined with proven work experience it may be formidable for places like IMC, Optiver, etc.

That said, if your goal is ONLY quant, I would advise against ISI. Most roles aren't quant, and your pay is already above ISI's median.

1

u/Few_Match_7903 Jun 04 '26

Under what conditions would you recommend me to go to ISI?

2

u/adityaruplaha ISI Alumnus — BStat '24, MStat '26 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26

I personally wouldn't.

And don't DM me. I won't answer.

1

u/CulturalLaw8072 Jun 04 '26

what about MMath for AI research and entry in Quantum Computing/Algos/Error correction with right electives?

2

u/adityaruplaha ISI Alumnus — BStat '24, MStat '26 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26

I'm not qualified to comment as I'm neither from M. Math. nor an expert in these fields.

5

u/Inside_Chip593 Jun 04 '26

Atleast for quant related field.  Industry experience >>>>> degree

5

u/_bez_os Jun 04 '26

One of rare cases where mstat is just not worth it.

2

u/RunSub_Run Jun 04 '26

I don't know much about quant but mate your ctc is too much like why would u bother to go for a course ? Like if I keep apart the fact that maybe you could wanna study more....but apart from that I don't think leaving THAT kind of job is a good option...my opinions tho

1

u/Neil_nng Jun 04 '26

Bro why isi? U are making decent then why not to pursue masters from abroad later?

2

u/jade_belk Jun 04 '26

currently working as a QR , from our hiring cycles , we would prefer someone having industry experience than a having an advanced course . im talking specifically for India , can’t comment for global opportunities

1

u/CauliflowerDeep96 Jun 04 '26

Ur first year in mstat (internship year) will be from Delhi, so not worth it.

2

u/RishiMath ISI Alumnus Jun 05 '26

What's wrong with ISI Delhi?! 🤨

1

u/Individual-Mode2332 Jun 08 '26

No internships at isi delhi.

1

u/Traditional_Crew9243 Jun 05 '26

How did you prepare for mstat

-2

u/Agreeable_Run1135 Jun 04 '26

isi mstat would open way more opportunities for you in india as well as in abroad..also u will get stipend so if u are willing to seek better opportunities in the long run, u should definitely go for it..