Data Science/Machine Learning role in Marketing Analytics firm vs or Equity Research role

[Mathchismo]

Hi QuantNet members

I have two firms trying to recruit me at the moment for a new role in Europe (salaries converted to USD). I'm relatively young in terms of my quant experience.

1. Role 1: Data Science and Machine Learning Engineer role in Marketing Analytics firm. Compensation would be 70-85K+ USD. Small firm and super technical role with big data technologies.
2. Role 2: Entry level Equity Research Analyst at very prestigious bank. But they pay new analysts 40-60K USD. They said I could have the possibility of transferring to a quant role. (But internal recruiters say anything)

The first role is more appealing me purely due to the fact I will continue to build a rare skill set (And I would enjoy the job) and won't be lacking in jobs 2-4 years however I fear it is not related to quantitative finance which is what I actually want to enter.

The second role is related to finance but the non systematic/quant trading approach does not make sense to me at all. + I would be working 80-100+ HR work weeks.

Is it better to build technical skills VS working any job in finance?

Will working at a marketing firm rule me out from Data Science or Quant roles later on?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

80-100 work weeks in Europe?(?) .. for 40K??

 

[Mathchismo]

80-100 work weeks in Europe?(?)

Yes that's how much Entry level Equity Research analysts work in banks + Attrition rate is around 50-70% in M&A and Equity research in the first two years (Germany and UK anyway).

The older and more prestigious banks and boutiques often pay less (I. E. Exploitation of young people)

 

[IntoDarkness]

wow, this salary level does not work in the us... seems option 1 is a clear winner but that is still on the low end...

 

[Daniel Duffy]

In Amsterdam, for example, rents are yuge. Living in the centre is out of the question.

 

[Mathchismo]

wow, this salary level does not work in the us... seems option 1 is a clear winner but that is still on the low end...

Yep US on a completely different level.

Entry level role at Quant Trading firm or well funded start-up in the US = Data Scientist/Engineer with 3-5 years of experience in Europe at bank [you can easily verify this with open source data]

Remark: 45K Euros puts you in the 90-95th percentile of most European countries. + Europeans don't have overhead costs like health care etc.