Hello,I've just joined with the aim to finding out more about what being a quant means.I am a professional programmer of around 14 years and can code fairly well in quite a few languages including C++, Java and C#.I have a BSc (Hons) Computer Science and a maths A-level but I'd be first to admit I'm no genius !My current level of maths is probably pretty poor as I don't do a lot day to day, so I could probably so with some tuition, maybe an introductory course and if things go well something more advanced.I've bought the Paul Wilmott Introduces Quantitative Finance book with the intent to see how i find it.I was then considering maybe a masters in Quantitative Finance or similar.I'd be very keen to get some input as to whether my approach is reasonable.Should I look at Quant Developer or Algorithm trading and stay away from pure Quant positions ? Are there computational finance courses that would perhaps be better ? Or would I be better off learning pure finance because I have the computer skills ?If I go back to college full time I think I'd like to try studying in the US, Canada or Austrailia. I'd rather not study for more than one year full time due to the loss of income.Many thanks for any input or advice on how to progess !dave

Nobody ? Did I say something wrong !

QuoteOriginally posted by: dmarsh26Hello,I've just joined with the aim to finding out more about what being a quant means.I am a professional programmer of around 14 years and can code fairly well in quite a few languages including C++, Java and C#.I have a BSc (Hons) Computer Science and a maths A-level but I'd be first to admit I'm no genius !My current level of maths is probably pretty poor as I don't do a lot day to day, so I could probably so with some tuition, maybe an introductory course and if things go well something more advanced.I've bought the Paul Wilmott Introduces Quantitative Finance book with the intent to see how i find it.I was then considering maybe a masters in Quantitative Finance or similar.I'd be very keen to get some input as to whether my approach is reasonable.Should I look at Quant Developer or Algorithm trading and stay away from pure Quant positions ? Are there computational finance courses that would perhaps be better ? Or would I be better off learning pure finance because I have the computer skills ?If I go back to college full time I think I'd like to try studying in the US, Canada or Austrailia. I'd rather not study for more than one year full time due to the loss of income.Many thanks for any input or advice on how to progess !daveYou sound like someone who might be better fitted to enter in via quant dev or algo than pure quant.When I started quant work in the early/mid-90's hardly anyone was offering financial maths courses, now you can hardly move for highly specialised msc/phd types. As a result, there are a lot of people out there who have put a lot of effort into mastering stochastic calculus in finance. Given what you say of your background, you would be unwise to compete directly in this arena.Happily though, banking still appears to be virtually free of people who can both understand anything with brownian motion involved and program their way out of a paper bag. So if you can understand the maths, and then put it to use to actually help people generate cash, you will never be short of employment.As someone who comes from the analytic end, I would suggest that you start off with the core skills - be well sussed on both relevant technology (C++ for the quant code, C#/Java for the risk systems, some idea of functional languages for systems to come) and quant (enough to be able to make a decent fist of stochastic integration). Once you've got as far as you can there (or better yet while you are still progressing on those fronts), try to get at least a smattering of management, trading, sales/structuring and accountancy - all these will give you more context about the business, and make you a lot more valuable.Re studying I would go for computational finance to leverage your current skills to the max. The importance of IT in quant work is increasing all the time, and this trend is unlikely to reverse - the problem is now not so much figuring out the maths, but how to get an implementation of the maths going in the face of all the forces in the average bank or hedge fund that constantly threaten to derail things.All the best...

Sorry, I've been on holiday, after a week catching I now have only 1253 messages left to handle....Quant Dev is the obvious route, and you've worked on the C familiy of languages which is good.Most of the maths you've done aren't relevant, and I guess a bit rusty.Have you looked the at the CQF ?

QuoteOriginally posted by: DominicConnorSorry, I've been on holiday, after a week catching I now have only 1253 messages left to handle....Quant Dev is the obvious route, and you've worked on the C familiy of languages which is good.Most of the maths you've done aren't relevant, and I guess a bit rusty.Have you looked the at the CQF ?Hi Dominic,I'm likely to be one of those remaining 1253 lurking emails, one of which is my CV and a couple questions about work vs phd at the end of my impending masters of financial math course (wraps up in November). I'm in a slightly similar boat to dmarsh here, except with more maths and slightly less IT experience.I don't mean to be a pest, but just saw this email and in particular, your footer. The "hunting in a difficult market" document you mention might answer a couple of the questions that accompanied my CV, (which, now that I look at it, appeared to NOT have a subject line *sigh*), so if it's not too much trouble, could I hassle you for a copy of that as well please.RegardsDale

It's funny how many people come out of MFE programs and think, "Yup, the world's my oyster".

QuoteOriginally posted by: dmarsh26Nobody ? Did I say something wrong !Not wrong.Just most people would react more to mathsy questions rather than CS.As you yourself say, in general, more than A level maths is needed to make an impression with prospective employers etc. IMHOBeing a good programmer is also very important, a skill that seems to have been overlooked in FE courses... but there is a shift in thinking.So being good in finance, maths and C++ is kind of good thing to have. Of course, not something that you can learn in 1 year It might take longer. learn the maths!

QuoteI'm likely to be one of those remaining 1253 lurking emails, one of which is my CV and a couple questions about work vs phd at the end of my impending masters of financial math course (wraps up in November). I'm in a slightly similar boat to dmarsh here, except with more maths and slightly less IT experience.Indeed its tough getting a job right now, so perhaps staying in academia a bit longer to fill holes you still have isn't a bad idea. I think as Cuc mentions a 1 year masters isnt going to teach you enough to be a quant, you really need 4/5 years of learning C++ and finance to be fairly good at this. One way is to do a PhD in an area where there is a lot of the right kind of maths in finance and lots of C++ coding, but remember you have to do it for your enjoyment too or you will just not make the end of the PhD.There will be a surge in MFEs in September all looking for quant roles, so I guess there will be the annual competition for jobs etc.. 1 year conversion courses will teach you the basics but this alone will not equip you properly for a quant role - you need to differentiate yourself from the pack, i.e. have specialist knowledge in an areas which would be of interest to a group or have good consultancy skills and are ok in maths. Either one of those two will give you an edge. Stats Guy