Hi, I am thinking of taking the PRM course (7city) and am interested in hearing other's experience of the course, the exams, the qualification itself and jobs afterwards.Many thanks,TJ.

didn't take the 7city course but did take exams 3 and 4.They give a nice overview of risk management.Our resident headhunter can probably fill you in on the job market for PRMs.Didn't you just get a job as a computer monkey ? thinking of moving on already ?

I'd add to that that I think PRM is useful for someone who knows math but doesn't know risk management, so say someone with a masters in eg computational chemistry who can program and solve differential equations but knows diddly about risk management.For someone without a math background, it's questionable about how much value it adds (ditto for FRM). You basically get an overview of Value at Risk and are told in a general handwaving sense how to calculate the various elements and forms (like VaR on interest rate products, credit VaR, etc etc) but never actually do the hard stuff like writing a monte carlo simulation etc.The classic risk management job is calculating daily VaR (every day) so unless you're a low-level minion running someone else's code, you've got to be able to code stuff.There are non-math jobs in risk management concerned with eg operational risk and Basel compliance

QuoteOriginally posted by: ppauperdidn't take the 7city course but did take exams 3 and 4.They give a nice overview of risk management.Our resident headhunter can probably fill you in on the job market for PRMs.Didn't you just get a job as a computer monkey ? thinking of moving on already ?Moving sideways. I have an MBA as well. And I'm definitely NOT a developer.

QuoteOriginally posted by: ppauperI'd add to that that I think PRM is useful for someone who knows math but doesn't know risk management, so say someone with a masters in eg computational chemistry who can program and solve differential equations but knows diddly about risk management.For someone without a math background, it's questionable about how much value it adds (ditto for FRM). You basically get an overview of Value at Risk and are told in a general handwaving sense how to calculate the various elements and forms (like VaR on interest rate products, credit VaR, etc etc) but never actually do the hard stuff like writing a monte carlo simulation etc.The classic risk management job is calculating daily VaR (every day) so unless you're a low-level minion running someone else's code, you've got to be able to code stuff.There are non-math jobs in risk management concerned with eg operational risk and Basel complianceI have a strong mathematical background but will avoid code like the plague - it bores me to tears. Any suggestions on career path ? Sorry, I'm sure I'll work it out along the way.

I'm psyched to be enrolled for the 7 City PRM course in London beginning in February. Got the Handbook already. Looks good, particulary Part III where market, credit and operational risk are all explored in considerable depth. Anyone else enrolled?

Trader Joe, I'm surprised about your interest in PRM. I thought you're one of those front office people as your nickname states.I'm also planning to take PRM this year as it fits my job (currently doing market risk). But no set schedule yet with regards to taking the exams as the PRM program is flexible. Like Ppauper, I will only take Tests 3 & 4 as I am a CFA charterholder.

I'm in transition from back office to front office. The PRM will fill in any holes left over from my MBA and physics experience. Seems like an enjoyable way to do it and to stay motivated as I learn all the material (the Handbook alone has 1300 pages and covers alot of ground in finance).

I agree with ppauper, these course are for folks who have a strong maths back ground and who are wanting to breal into risk management.I am in the other camp, as an IT guy I have a good knowledge of risk but my maths is weak as it has been 15+ years plus since my undergrad course.Any good course in London to address the maths side of things?

TJ,Did you go to the launch of the course a few weeks ago ? It was in Ernst and Young offices I believe.

Any good course in London to address the maths side of things? Riaz Ahmad who teaches part of the CQF is doing a finance oriented maths course at 7City, starting soon I believe.

Why don't you sign-up for the CQF?

Thanks for the feedback...I feel that I need something to get my brain back in tune... a good grounding in the basics. Prehaps something with a tutor/hands on workshop approach opposed to attending lectures or reading books.The aspects that I have issues with are time and cost. This is only for personal development..I will not get a decent return on time and money invested..just a bit of personal satisfaction for being able to understand.It's a bit like learning a second language...I know I will never become fluent without moving to the country but I still can get upto a good level.I will go along to the next open evening.

QuoteOriginally posted by: madmaxTJ,Did you go to the launch of the course a few weeks ago ? It was in Ernst and Young offices I believe.Yes. Carol Alexander, John Board etc were there. I spoke to alot of the folk there and ended up applying for and being awarded a scholarship . I also go to the PRMIA talks. The next one is at Goldman Sachs in Fleet Street in a couple of weeks time. Did you attend the launch evening at E&Y?

QuoteOriginally posted by: MWGI agree with ppauper, these course are for folks who have a strong maths back ground and who are wanting to breal into risk management.don't agree about the strong maths background requirement. Further maths at A-level or maybe 1st year undergrad maths would get you though it comfortably in my opinion. I suspect the CQF is much more quantitative but I know next to nothing about that. By the way you don't need to pay much to do it, as you don't have to do the 7 City training, the exams come in at 1 or 2 hundred dollars each I think.