I read about preparing for mathematical finance interviews and it is all about Black Scholes, Black Scholes, Black Scholes. But I find myself bored with Black Scholes. On the other-hand, I love digging into data looking for meaning.So, I ask to you: is there a place for me, a physics PhD from what is one of the best programs in the world, in the world of finance? I know academia is not for me. Right now I'm a scientist in industry. But I get the feeling that I could be content in the financial industry. Quite frankly, it's the money that is drawing me in.

Can you program in VBA and C++? Quote I know academia is not for me.No?

Well then, stay away from derivative pricing in banks and go to stat arb hedge funds.

QuoteOriginally posted by: ShafranovI read about preparing for mathematical finance interviews and it is all about Black Scholes, Black Scholes, Black Scholes. But I find myself bored with Black Scholes. On the other-hand, I love digging into data looking for meaning.So, I ask to you: is there a place for me, a physics PhD from what is one of the best programs in the world, in the world of finance? I know academia is not for me. Right now I'm a scientist in industry. But I get the feeling that I could be content in the financial industry. Quite frankly, it's the money that is drawing me in.As AD said. But be aware, we don't really do "content". Or, at the very least, we never confess to be content. And the money thing is generally understood, and thus not usually mentioned.

"we never confess to be content"Bearish, are you Ukrainian? or at least Polish?

QuoteOriginally posted by: CuchulainnCan you program in VBA and C++? Quote I know academia is not for me.No?and evidently industry is not for him either.Third times' the charm ?

QuoteOriginally posted by: ppauperQuoteOriginally posted by: CuchulainnCan you program in VBA and C++? Quote I know academia is not for me.No?and evidently industry is not for him either.Third times the charm ?Try this: Neither academia, not industry, Only geniuses

QuoteOriginally posted by: Ultraviolet"we never confess to be content"Bearish, are you Ukrainian? or at least Polish? :-)Nope. No discernible slavic roots. And the statement wasn't really meant to be all that personal (I will secretly confess to be quite content with life in general), but more about the cultural norms pervading the industry. The hungry, lean and mean image is definitely favored over content, fat and happy.

QuoteOriginally posted by: ShafranovI read about preparing for mathematical finance interviews and it is all about Black Scholes, Black Scholes, Black Scholes. But I find myself bored with Black Scholes. On the other-hand, I love digging into data looking for meaning.So, I ask to you: is there a place for me, a physics PhD from what is one of the best programs in the world, in the world of finance? I know academia is not for me. Right now I'm a scientist in industry. But I get the feeling that I could be content in the financial industry. Quite frankly, it's the money that is drawing me in.Seems like you have a very limited view of finance. Nobody uses BS anymore. Also, finance has many people from the best programs in physics/math/finance/CS/engineering/economics. Why wouldn't there be a place for you? Be a little more humble and maybe the world will open up.

QuoteOriginally posted by: ChicagoGuyQuoteOriginally posted by: ShafranovI read about preparing for mathematical finance interviews and it is all about Black Scholes, Black Scholes, Black Scholes. But I find myself bored with Black Scholes. On the other-hand, I love digging into data looking for meaning.So, I ask to you: is there a place for me, a physics PhD from what is one of the best programs in the world, in the world of finance? I know academia is not for me. Right now I'm a scientist in industry. But I get the feeling that I could be content in the financial industry. Quite frankly, it's the money that is drawing me in.Seems like you have a very limited view of finance. Nobody uses BS anymore. Also, finance has many people from the best programs in physics/math/finance/CS/engineering/economics. Why wouldn't there be a place for you? Be a little more humble and maybe the world will open up.Just to balance the above absolute statement a bit: I'd suggest from what I am seeing BS is heavily used in at least some banks. Current applications range from quoting mechanism to risk/exposure tools to full EOD pricing.The problem is not knowing BS theory but how/when use the model how to configure your system and how to interpret the model outputs.

QuoteOriginally posted by: ChicagoGuyNobody uses BS anymore. You quote in implied vol, right?

QuoteOriginally posted by: ChicagoGuyBe a little more humble and maybe the world will open up.+1You know, I happened to interview a lot of people recently, and one thing I noticed is how many candidates are actually quite arrogant. Especially the Oxbridge dudes, who anyway have no idea like everybody else. It must be a cultural thing.

QuoteOriginally posted by: DevonFangsQuoteOriginally posted by: ChicagoGuyBe a little more humble and maybe the world will open up.+1You know, I happened to interview a lot of people recently, and one thing I noticed is how many candidates are actually quite arrogant. Especially the Oxbridge dudes, who anyway have no idea like everybody else. It must be a cultural thing.Can tolerate arrogance in experienced hires to some degree. Some of them bring a lot to the table and most experienced hires who are accomplished do have humility despite a show of arrogance. Or else they would not be successful. Cannot hire a fresh grad who is arrogant or lazy or anything you would not l. Interviews is when someone is at their best behaviors. Once hired their behavior is always a notch lower. If they are difficult in an interview it won't get any better.

QuoteOriginally posted by: DevonFangsQuoteOriginally posted by: ChicagoGuyBe a little more humble and maybe the world will open up.+1You know, I happened to interview a lot of people recently, and one thing I noticed is how many candidates are actually quite arrogant. Especially the Oxbridge dudes, who anyway have no idea like everybody else. It must be a cultural thing.Ah, when yous get out by degrees you think you knows everything. After a year in industry then you realise you know nothing. Kulture shokk

QuoteOriginally posted by: DevonFangsQuoteOriginally posted by: ChicagoGuyBe a little more humble and maybe the world will open up.+1You know, I happened to interview a lot of people recently, and one thing I noticed is how many candidates are actually quite arrogant. Especially the Oxbridge dudes, who anyway have no idea like everybody else. It must be a cultural thing.People in this business often confuse confidence with arrogance. Funnily enough, when you get to know each other better and they see you don't bite, they usually turn out to be nice persons.