http://sps.northwestern.edu/program-are ... tics/Hello, I am currently a trader, but not a quant. My undergrad was a double major in Finance and Economics, but not from a name brand school. Unfortunately, I don't know programming, but am currently learning Python and R in my spare time. I've been looking into graduate Analytics programs because I would like to open up further career opportunities for me. While relevant in trading, obviously this focus is experiencing high growth and is applicable to many other industries. Many of those I know in trading usually move onto something else later on in their career, and I'd like to position myself to do the same should I grow tired of it. Plus, it's a volatile career, and it's just smart to prepare in case current strategies die off and I'm left high and dry. I'm looking for any thoughts on this program since I do not know much about how it is viewed from others or from an employer's standpoint. Do career opportunities open up significantly upon completion of the program, and is it favorable to do the program here, versus other schools?Originally I WAS looking into financial engineering programs, but at this point in my career I'm not sure if I necessarily want to stay in the financial industry. The way I view it, the more choices I have the better. Thanks

Not an expert, but I would guess that a degree from a "fully online" program offered at a "School of Professional Studies" does not open many doors. That is not to say that you may not learn lots of useful stuff, but please check carefully whether all the services of Northwestern's career office is available to you as part of the deal. This kind of program is quite possibly the future of education, but I am not at all convinced that it is the present.

Thanks for the reply bearish. I agree, it is a phenomenal school , but I am apprehensive of a fully online program as well. All services of Northwestern's career office are available, just being distant from the campus leaves little room to utilize them or network with potential employers afterwards. They do offer an alternative full time program which I've considered as well: http://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/a ... x.htmlJust wanted to hear thoughts on an online alternative. Thanks

is it just that you're only considering online degrees, or that you don't want to go back to school full time?one degree that is not too specialized is the Msc in operation research at northwestern. it's got a specialization in financial engineering, but you can also take different electives.

bearish is right that online degrees are less valued on that at physical universities, partly because to get into a good university you have to pass a filter, whereas with online they will take pretty much anyone who feels up to it.However the supply/demand for analytics is pretty favourable to sellers at this moment and there are a lot more open positions than people.That means buyers of labour have to hire people that in other circumstances they'd never never even interview. Also vice, you're a trader and presumably have insights into financial markets that someone with a more prestigious degree won't have because you have to have done your job to get them.That means a firm who sells into financial markets for alpha generation, compliance, risk et al will often see you as more desirable.Also, there is hedging and improving your position in your current firm...There are various slots where a trading background would be very desirable, one thought I have is that you could be the best person in the whole firm to lead a project to predict major operational failures or even spot who is going to be the next rogue trader. This is because as a practitioner you can see through the "correlation == causation" fallacy because of your domain knowledge. <<1% of Big data grads have trading experience and the game theory of jobs is that being in a 1% is a strong amplification term, but note I'm not saying whether that is positive or negative amplification.Also note that above I write of a clear state in the market today, as a trader you will be aware that following a trend after the information that caused it has entered the market is not exactly a risk free strategy and you'd be graduating a few years from now. On balance I see your plan as rational.