Comments on: Emanuel Derman – “My Life as a Quant” http://www.toomik.net/helen/blog/2006/10/07/emanuel-derman-my-life-as-a-quant/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:17:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Helen http://www.toomik.net/helen/blog/2006/10/07/emanuel-derman-my-life-as-a-quant/comment-page-1/#comment-343 Helen Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:51:37 +0000 http://www.toomik.net/helen/wordpress/?p=166#comment-343 A quant role is the most mathematically oriented one, so it's the one where a physics PhD would be most useful - and the one that is most likely to suit an academic mind. A quant role is the most mathematically oriented one, so it’s the one where a physics PhD would be most useful – and the one that is most likely to suit an academic mind.

]]> By: weberence http://www.toomik.net/helen/blog/2006/10/07/emanuel-derman-my-life-as-a-quant/comment-page-1/#comment-342 weberence Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:19:16 +0000 http://www.toomik.net/helen/wordpress/?p=166#comment-342 Helen, Thank you very much for your replay! No I do not know anyone in the finance world so I guess I will have to Google out some answers. I have studied in the UK (where I wish to work) but I am currently located back home in Greece. Not sure if they have any related seminars here. Your idea of contacting banks directly is good. I did thought of contacting job agents and finding details of what is needed for a Quant job, but they probably do not know much about the physics-to-finance transition. P.S. Besides Quant jobs, are there other roles within the banking sector where Engineering/Physics PhD graduates are sought after? Helen,
Thank you very much for your replay!
No I do not know anyone in the finance world so I guess I will have to Google out some answers. I have studied in the UK (where I wish to work) but I am currently located back home in Greece. Not sure if they have any related seminars here.
Your idea of contacting banks directly is good. I did thought of contacting job agents and finding details of what is needed for a Quant job, but they probably do not know much about the physics-to-finance transition.

P.S. Besides Quant jobs, are there other roles within the banking sector where Engineering/Physics PhD graduates are sought after?

]]> By: Helen http://www.toomik.net/helen/blog/2006/10/07/emanuel-derman-my-life-as-a-quant/comment-page-1/#comment-123 Helen Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:30:37 +0000 http://www.toomik.net/helen/wordpress/?p=166#comment-123 I don't think you'll find anything really useful in books. You can find lots of books about how the financial markets work, among them some good ones. You can find books on financial maths. But it's unlikely that you'll find a good book about what it is like to work as a quant. It's such a narrow topic that a book like that is just not worth writing - it wouldn't sell enough copies. Perhaps there is a blog out there? But by far the best thing to do is to talk to someone in the industry - ideally to someone who's done the same thing, i.e. has an academic background and has moved into the finance industry. If you have friends of friends in the industry, talk to them. Are there events you could attend? Talks, seminars? You'd get a feel for what kind of things people talk about, and maybe also get a chance to chat to someone before or afterwards. (Google found <a href="http://www.quantsterblog.typepad.com/" rel="nofollow">this</a> for example, so there's probably more.) Otherwise, why not get in touch with one or more of the banks directly? Talk to their HR departments, explain the situation, and ask if they can put you in touch with a quant for a brief chat. If you come across as a credible candidate then I'd think they would be responsive. (Most important: do not make them think you're a headhunter, no one will give out any names or phone numbers to a headhunter.) Top tip for chatting with anyone in the trading world: prepare. They will be busy and impatient; know what you want to ask, and make efficient use of their time. PS: What part of the world are you in? I don’t think you’ll find anything really useful in books. You can find lots of books about how the financial markets work, among them some good ones. You can find books on financial maths. But it’s unlikely that you’ll find a good book about what it is like to work as a quant. It’s such a narrow topic that a book like that is just not worth writing – it wouldn’t sell enough copies.

Perhaps there is a blog out there?

But by far the best thing to do is to talk to someone in the industry – ideally to someone who’s done the same thing, i.e. has an academic background and has moved into the finance industry. If you have friends of friends in the industry, talk to them.

Are there events you could attend? Talks, seminars? You’d get a feel for what kind of things people talk about, and maybe also get a chance to chat to someone before or afterwards. (Google found this for example, so there’s probably more.)

Otherwise, why not get in touch with one or more of the banks directly? Talk to their HR departments, explain the situation, and ask if they can put you in touch with a quant for a brief chat. If you come across as a credible candidate then I’d think they would be responsive. (Most important: do not make them think you’re a headhunter, no one will give out any names or phone numbers to a headhunter.)

Top tip for chatting with anyone in the trading world: prepare. They will be busy and impatient; know what you want to ask, and make efficient use of their time.

PS: What part of the world are you in?

]]> By: weberence http://www.toomik.net/helen/blog/2006/10/07/emanuel-derman-my-life-as-a-quant/comment-page-1/#comment-122 weberence Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:08:49 +0000 http://www.toomik.net/helen/wordpress/?p=166#comment-122 Hello, I came across this post as I was looking for more info on Derman's book and the physics-to-finance transition. From this review I understand that this book is not the best guide for people that are interested in becoming quants. As a PhD in physics I do seek alternative employment due to the hard-to-find and low payed jobs in the science world. My question is, where can I find more info, similar to what the book promises (but apparently fails to deliver)? Thank you in advance. Hello,

I came across this post as I was looking for more info on Derman’s book and the physics-to-finance transition. From this review I understand that this book is not the best guide for people that are interested in becoming quants. As a PhD in physics I do seek alternative employment due to the hard-to-find and low payed jobs in the science world. My question is, where can I find more info, similar to what the book promises (but apparently fails to deliver)?
Thank you in advance.

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