I'm half way through MSc FE, already hold BSc, MSc Mathematics. I'm not sure I want to go the PhD, then quant route any more, as this will take another 4 or 5 years which seems a long time plus I'm not sure I fancy a hardcore maths quant role. I've only just started with C++ but if I focus on that for a year perhaps, is there a chance of getting a quant role which focuses more on the programming side? Or do i need a computer science related undergrad etc?What kind of roles can I expect to be able to choose from if i follow the below paths?1) Continue with my MSc FE, then goto PhD2) Stop my MSc FE after 1 year, take a PGDip FE (I have one masters degree already remember) go into industry3) Complete my MSc FE, go into industryBasically, I want to differentiate how much I will be affected by choosing from these decisions, and how employers will view me differently depending on the path I take. Also would be interested in differentiation of salary and working conditions etc.Also, I'm not a great fan of learning programming skills etc by reading books, can anyone recommend any other ways of learning? i.e. special taught courses designed just for C++, VBA etc. Can you maybe ask someone who is qualified to teach or worked in the field, or are there any recommended courses or individuals? Help much appreciated!

QuoteOriginally posted by: tsunamijonI've only just started with C++ but if I focus on that for a year perhaps, is there a chance of getting a quant role which focuses more on the programming side? Or do i need a computer science related undergrad etc?No, but you do need sharp programming skills. You can't get that in a class, so you should go to sourceforge, find some open source project that you are interested in, download it, build it from scratch, and then try to make some useful contribution to it. Do this for ten hours a day, and you'll pick up the skills.

QuoteOriginally posted by: twofishQuoteOriginally posted by: tsunamijonI've only just started with C++ but if I focus on that for a year perhaps, is there a chance of getting a quant role which focuses more on the programming side? Or do i need a computer science related undergrad etc?No, but you do need sharp programming skills. You can't get that in a class, so you should go to sourceforge, find some open source project that you are interested in, download it, build it from scratch, and then try to make some useful contribution to it. Do this for ten hours a day, and you'll pick up the skills.Can you give an example of what kind of open source project you're recommending?

QuoteOriginally posted by: ImamicPHQuoteOriginally posted by: twofishQuoteOriginally posted by: tsunamijonI've only just started with C++ but if I focus on that for a year perhaps, is there a chance of getting a quant role which focuses more on the programming side? Or do i need a computer science related undergrad etc?No, but you do need sharp programming skills. You can't get that in a class, so you should go to sourceforge, find some open source project that you are interested in, download it, build it from scratch, and then try to make some useful contribution to it. Do this for ten hours a day, and you'll pick up the skills.Can you give an example of what kind of open source project you're recommending?Should be obvious, but here is a cookbook style outline for you:1. Find a problem that requires coding2. Verify that it will require a lot of code to run3. Create code to solve problem4. Beg, or bribe others to look at your code %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%Anyway, back from the thread hijack.Would it be possible for you to take, or sit in such a programming course in your current program (obvious, but not explicitly ruled out)?

I thought there might be some specific open source project he knew about.

QuoteOriginally posted by: ImamicPHI thought there might be some specific open source project he knew about.There's quantlib, but you'll need to spend you time on something that you find personally interesting so that you'll put in the necessary hours and frustration to learn something.