Hi,In the last few months, I've become very interested in working as a quant. I have 2.5 to 3.5 years until I finish my PhD, so I have a good amount of time for self-study. Since I may potentially devote a lot of time to preparing for eventually becoming a quant, I would really appreciate any advice (positive or critical) that I could get.BACKGROUND:I received a B.A. in physics and mathematics and I am currently pursuing a PhD in theoretical physics. The schools that I have gone to are "top ten" schools, though they are not at the very top. My academic records are very strong and I know a reasonable amount of C++. I have been strengthening my C++ skills lately and I am planning on reading quant-related texts.QUESTIONS:(1) Aside from reading, what can I do to maximize the chances of getting the job that I would like?(2) Related to this, what generally will hurt my chances at finding at a good position? This is assuming an average economic environment.Thank you for the help.

(1) Diligently use the search button on these forums, and get DCFC's guide. Proceed to ask specific questions that show the effort you're putting in on your side. Then somebody might bother to give a helpful answer.

My situation is unique in that I have a relatively long amount of time to study the relevant material since my PhD is 2.5-3 years away. I plan on learning as much technical material as possible in that time, but I have been wondering:Are physics PhD's reliably able to get jobs as quants nowadays and how does school prestige factor into this? My impression is that physics PhD's do get hired but students out of schools like MIT (which I am not) are strongly favored. I am deeply interested in this line of work and I have no problem with a lot of self-studying, but I want to gauge how much preparation is worth my time since I will need to balance it with my physics research.

If you use the aforementioned Search button, you'll see that your situation is far from unique. If you search for my posts that contain the word 'MFE' and similar, you'll see all the things I advise people to do instead of doing an MFE - they are the same things I'd suggest you do.QuoteAre physics PhD's reliably able to get jobs as quants nowadays Nowadays, no; once the dust has settled, probably. Of course, you always have to fight for _good_ jobs.Quoteand how does school prestige factor into this?It doesn't. Outside of academe, nobody cares about school prestige much, apart from whether the school is totally crap or not. Nobody, but nobody knows or cares at which position in the top 10 a school is.

I dont think your situation is unique at all. There has been a lot of posts on this subject here from people doing similar PhDs in physics. Just search.

QuoteOriginally posted by: themyankeesAre physics PhD's reliably able to get jobs as quants nowadaysNobody is reliably about to get jobs nowadays. In two years the situation could be better, or it could be worse.Quoteand how does school prestige factor into this? My impression is that physics PhD's do get hired but students out of schools like MIT (which I am not) are strongly favored. For physics Ph.D.'s, prestige doesn't matter at all. What matters most is your dissertation topic.QuoteI am deeply interested in this line of work and I have no problem with a lot of self-studying, but I want to gauge how much preparation is worth my time since I will need to balance it with my physics research.Your number one priority is to do well on your research. Your research might now seem like it is useful for finance, but it probably is, and a lot of your study should be to make connections between whatever it is that you are researching and finance.

QuoteOriginally posted by: themyankeesMy situation is unique in that I have a relatively long amount of time to study the relevant material since my PhD is 2.5-3 years away. I plan on learning as much technical material as possible in that time, but I have been wondering:Are physics PhD's reliably able to get jobs as quants nowadays and how does school prestige factor into this? My impression is that physics PhD's do get hired but students out of schools like MIT (which I am not) are strongly favored. you are about to get married and all you can think about is that pretty girl in the coffee shop you met the other day.