I am highly interested in making career move and seek a quant research analyst job. I have a MSCE and MS Engr. Mgt(concentration: Finance) with nine yrs experience in s/w design and development. hands on experience with Excel VBA. I have enrolled myself in CFA program and will be taking my first exam in June 2008. I am not sure if this can fetch me an entry level quant or front office job.
If not, I am motivated to seek a PhD. The reason for PhD is to improve my research skills and independent thinking and make myself eligible for my desired. I personally think PhD will also help me to do independent consulting and connect myself with academia in my future career. My motivation is also to seek the PhD from top school and not all top school offers all the concentration.
So the question is, to seek a Wall Street Quant Job what will really help me? A PhD in FE from Cornell, Columbia or Princeton or Finance/Econ from Wharton, Northeastern, Duke ?
Lastly, if I truely pursue a PhD and take all 3 exams of CFA, can i expect a job with base salary of $150k or more ?
Thank you
If not, I am motivated to seek a PhD. The reason for PhD is to improve my research skills and independent thinking and make myself eligible for my desired. I personally think PhD will also help me to do independent consulting and connect myself with academia in my future career. My motivation is also to seek the PhD from top school and not all top school offers all the concentration.
So the question is, to seek a Wall Street Quant Job what will really help me? A PhD in FE from Cornell, Columbia or Princeton or Finance/Econ from Wharton, Northeastern, Duke ?
Lastly, if I truely pursue a PhD and take all 3 exams of CFA, can i expect a job with base salary of $150k or more ?
Thank you