- Joined
- 3/23/18
- Messages
- 2
- Points
- 11
Hi,
I'm a longtime reader posting for the first time... would appreciate any insight into the situation
Here's my background:
I am a junior equity research analyst at a respectable shop, having received an undergraduate degree from a top target institution, with a major in Economics and a minor in Maths. I followed a fairly standard route (internship -> graduate programme) into finance so far.
Now, here's the situation:
After a couple of years in traditional finance, I was getting fairly tired of publishing "fundamental research". As a result, I enrolled in a part-time Master's programme in Applied Maths, in hope of moving towards quantitative finance over the medium term. Despite this being at a non-target institution, I was fairly confident that I could leverage on my job experience/undergrad to transition towards a quant role/decent PhD programme over time.
However, recently, by chance/networking, I was offered a fully funded MSc & PhD in Computational Finance at a top 30 programme (which is obviously a lower calibre than my undergraduate institution). On the upside though, it is in an area which I would have chosen to research anyway, should I have decided to pursue a doctorate.
With the enrollment deadline fast approaching, I am having a bit of a headache over the opportunity cost of taking this programme.
1. (I would like to think) There's a good chance that I will be able to transition towards a quantitative role over time, especially after my MSc, without having to do a PhD - I just need to endure a few more years of the current job
2. Assuming I maintain my current academic performance, there is a good chance that I will be able to secure a funded PhD at a better institution after my MSc.
The questions I would like to ask:
1. Am I being too optimistic, when thinking that I will be able to transition into a decent quant role with just this MSc?
2. Is it irrational to turn down the aforementioned MSc & PhD opportunity (as well as a couple of years of my time), for the flexibility/potentially better PhD?
3. Is it feasible to return to a respectable shop as a quant after studying a PhD at a top 30 institution?
Thanks for reading until the end - this befuddled junior would appreciate any constructive comments/criticism offered by the community here at quantnet.
I'm a longtime reader posting for the first time... would appreciate any insight into the situation
Here's my background:
I am a junior equity research analyst at a respectable shop, having received an undergraduate degree from a top target institution, with a major in Economics and a minor in Maths. I followed a fairly standard route (internship -> graduate programme) into finance so far.
Now, here's the situation:
After a couple of years in traditional finance, I was getting fairly tired of publishing "fundamental research". As a result, I enrolled in a part-time Master's programme in Applied Maths, in hope of moving towards quantitative finance over the medium term. Despite this being at a non-target institution, I was fairly confident that I could leverage on my job experience/undergrad to transition towards a quant role/decent PhD programme over time.
However, recently, by chance/networking, I was offered a fully funded MSc & PhD in Computational Finance at a top 30 programme (which is obviously a lower calibre than my undergraduate institution). On the upside though, it is in an area which I would have chosen to research anyway, should I have decided to pursue a doctorate.
With the enrollment deadline fast approaching, I am having a bit of a headache over the opportunity cost of taking this programme.
1. (I would like to think) There's a good chance that I will be able to transition towards a quantitative role over time, especially after my MSc, without having to do a PhD - I just need to endure a few more years of the current job
2. Assuming I maintain my current academic performance, there is a good chance that I will be able to secure a funded PhD at a better institution after my MSc.
The questions I would like to ask:
1. Am I being too optimistic, when thinking that I will be able to transition into a decent quant role with just this MSc?
2. Is it irrational to turn down the aforementioned MSc & PhD opportunity (as well as a couple of years of my time), for the flexibility/potentially better PhD?
3. Is it feasible to return to a respectable shop as a quant after studying a PhD at a top 30 institution?
Thanks for reading until the end - this befuddled junior would appreciate any constructive comments/criticism offered by the community here at quantnet.
