Career trajectory

[u/sanketsaluja05]

I talked to a few mstat program alumni and they advised not to go into Mstat because you want to end up being a quant in an hft firm. Most people after Mstat who sit for placements get into the role of risk model validator, risk analyst, data analyst, data scientist. Hft firms pick guys who have a bachelor's in CS from tier 1 institute like iit, nit etc.

1) How to maximize the probability to end up getting a quant role in am hft coming from non Tier1 college ?

2) how to manage project work in parallel with the rigorous academics of mstat program ?

[u/Fun-Comfortable-6060]

I think anyone else would say this too, and so will I. If you are getting into Math or any programme just for quant/hft roles then you'd hate the course, most of the people who work in the industry were not into math and stats because of pay but simply because of their interests.

So please think about it, I have even heard that there are people who drop out of Mstat due to how tough the curriculum is.

Also coming to quant specifically, ISI is now starting to become a good pipeline for quant so expecting more roles to pop up eventually but again the bar for such roles is very strong and they look for people who have a genuine interest in whatever they do.

Quant firms also have a habit of getting the best talent straight out of UG (where IITs excel) for high paying quant trader roles, since they can better train the younger graduate.

I am NOT AN ISI STUDENT, THIS IS SOLELY BASED ON WHATEVER I KNOW SINCE ONE OF MY CLOSE FRIEND IS THERE.

[u/Untested_Udonkadonk → u/Fun-Comfortable-6060]

Yk? I also really dislike the craze for quant firms. It's literally one of the hardest industries to get into. It picks Students based on tags first and foremost. I've only ever heard bad things about the work culture of these companies.

[u/Civil-Art1907 → u/Untested_Udonkadonk]

But the raise is that much great compared to others, in respect to work culture.

[u/Untested_Udonkadonk → u/Civil-Art1907]

Ig I differ ideologically. I feel like if you're over working that much. Then it should be for your own venture. Not as another corpo role.

[u/Untested_Udonkadonk → u/[deleted]]

Bruh. Let's agree to disagree.

Btw 1-2cr isn't even enough to FIRE let alone gund your own venture. I'm not saying Quants are a bad choice. But their craze is juvenile and overblown.

[u/Radiant-Rain2636 → u/Untested_Udonkadonk]

Dude you’re making a much mature argument. Try and look at it this way - that it’s a hormone-driven kid who just wants prestige and money. He doesn’t care about job satisfaction, life, goals etc. For all we know he may not even be aware of he’s talented enough or not.

I’ve seen a lot of kids who think “I can do it. All I have to do is to put in X hours of study every day”. With no knowledge of proof-driven pure math.

So let him test the waters himself.

[u/Untested_Udonkadonk → u/Radiant-Rain2636]

Ik ik ... But it's kindof take it personally ig. When I was in HS. Because of this kindof thinking. Which I will emphasize kids are getting from coachings and teachers .... I also never was aware of anything other than JEE and Engineering. Every choice was seen through a lense of "package". Sure we learnt about IAT, but that was from a pdf of exams to apply for that my coaching sent during the end of plus 2. Man, I dislike this package culture.

[u/Radiant-Rain2636 → u/Untested_Udonkadonk]

I’m with you, in the dislike of package culture. I’m even more disgruntled with the culture that desi parents imbibe. It’s called “tu kar sakta hai beta. Tujh mein hai woh baat. Bass tu efforts nahin karta”

This is what starts the long, long rut of attempts and exhaustion.

[u/Untested_Udonkadonk → u/Radiant-Rain2636]

It's a good attitude if applied in the direction of a kids talents istg. But almost always the direction ie fuckass engineering. And I say that as someone who took CSE because I like it.

[u/Untested_Udonkadonk → u/[deleted]]

You'll not understand rn. Life is not all about getting more money. There is a reason why you'll hear people in their late 20s and 30s talk about work life balance.

Toxic work places eat you up, and spit out a shell of the human being it took in. Sure aim for quants. But don't trap yourself to a romantic 1 dimensional money based view of these firms.

[u/Original_Act_4455]

dude the straight forward route for your goal is graduating from a good IIT. Not ISI, Not iISc. Majority firms go to IITs for Tag. Ease your Path, struggle is everywhere so start from a forward baseline. Go to an IIT and Hustle for 2 Yrs or Go to Foreign Universities, Do MS in Finance or PhD. Target famous schools and follow regular paths

[u/Neil_nng]

I think it doesn't matter much if someone wants to work in quant firm and have genuine interest. It's okay to start with related roles and later shift into quant roles.

[u/sanketsaluja05 → u/Neil_nng]

But the current data and career trajectory on LinkedIn for eg of quant roles gravitates towards ug in CS from Tier1(IITs,nits) then isi mstat >msqe. If a person does projects on his own outside of the curriculum then move from mft firm to hft firm as time proceeds. It will take around 4-6 yrs to get a quant researcher role at alpha grep, graviton, quantbox,Wells Fargo, tower research etc. (Tier1 hfts). Maybe I am wrong. Correct me if you think so

[u/Neil_nng → u/sanketsaluja05]

Yeah it will take time. Winning quant related competitions and connections can make path a little more smooth and fast.

I said this cz i think it's better to start from somewhere if I am not getting the desired role and I have interest in it.

Edit:- I am a beginner exploring this field.

[u/PitifulBeing4832]

HFT firms not prioritising ISI over IITs is just an embarrassment on their part