Weekly Megathread: Education, Early Career and Hiring/Interview Advice

[u/AutoModerator]

Attention new and aspiring quants! We get a lot of threads about the simple education stuff (which college? which masters?), early career advice (is this a good first job? who should I apply to?), the hiring process, interviews (what are they like? How should I prepare?), online assignments, and timelines for these things, To try to centralize this info a bit better and cut down on this repetitive content we have these weekly megathreads, posted each Monday.

Previous megathreads can be found here.

Please use this thread for all questions about the above topics. Individual posts outside this thread will likely be removed by mods.

[u/SolideMeinung]

No career question just looking for input.

How complex are real quant strategies at companies like jane street? Are they near something you find on quant math on the internet or are they multiple times more layered/complex?

Do you have any example of something that is used on a day to day base and not secret?

[u/TheVeteran77]

Hi has anyone interviewed for Citadel securities for the options QT role for the Amsterdam office or similar (early career interview)? Wonder that they ask or what to expect more on the side of brainteasers or options theory or market making games?

[u/PotatoFight3005]

I'm about to start a research-based MSc in Mathematics, and my long-term goal is to become a quant researcher.

Background:

• Dual BSc in Computer Science and Mathematics • 1.5 years of software engineering experience

My original plan was to focus in theoretical probability, but after reading more and talking to people, I'm wondering whether applied probability would be a better choice if I eventually want to get into quant research.

My questions are:

1. If you were optimizing for a future quant researcher role, which research area would you choose? Are there specific branches that are especially valued?
2. Is theoretical probability still a strong path, or is applied probability generally more useful?
3. I also have the option to switch into a research-based MSc in Computer Science. To do that, I'd need to spend 4–6 months doing research with a CS professor to earn a recommendation letter. Would an MSc in CS give me a meaningful advantage over an MSc in Mathematics for quant research?

I'd appreciate advice from people who've gone through the recruiting process or are already working in quant.

[u/Chikerenaham]

Has anybody interviewed with OTPP?

[u/Easy-Huckleberry7091]

I'm studying actuarial science and I'm halfway through my degree, but I'd like to work in quantitative finance in the future. Is actuarial science a good degree for that? Is the work of an actuary (in insurance companies or banks) transferable to quantitative positions? Does anyone here have experience as a quant?

[u/harrybruhwhatever]

Hello, sophomore from U South Florida here. I am fouble majoring in Econometrics and Finance. Is this really what I should be looking for or is it a fool's errand?

My goal is to get into NYU master or a T20 master in mathematical Finance, too.

I just got into quant this year, is it late for me? I have been looking through yhe green book and quanquestions io and Idk if it's worth it pursuing this

[u/Much_Somewhere7831]

If you have an upcoming interview check out the Canary Wharfian Quant Interview guide authored by a senior quant! I'm the publisher so if you have any feedback, will incorporate into the next version.

[u/Ok_Theory4956]

Hello,

There is a career fair tomorrow. Jane Street, Citadel and WorldQuant are visiting. Since my resume is quite empty, I am not trying to get an internship. What are some relevant questions I could ask them which could help me setup a roadmap to an internship and ultimately a job.
Claude says I should ask JS about FTTP, Citadel about Discover, and WorldQuant about BRAIN

For my references/credentials
Year 1 CS student at NTU Singapore, who is interested in a career as a quant trader/ developer in the US.
I have started the green book for interview preparation and Axler for linear algebra.
I plan to start some projects to add to my resume (if someone could recommend good ones to start with)

[u/ExpressMacaroon3272]

BSc Mathematics junior at a non-target Pakistani uni targeting APAC prop shops (Optiver, IMC, Flow): Realistic roadmap or ATS black hole?

The Context:

• Background: 3.70 CGPA, B.Sc. Double Major in Math & Data Analytics (heavily applied curriculum due to rigid university rules).
• Self-Study: Proactively grinding pure math outside class (Axler’s Linear Algebra Done Right, Measure Theory, Topology, Complex Analysis) and starting Zhou's Green Book.
• Projects & CV: 1 equity research alpha project (OLS, Ridge, Lasso, PCA in R); planning 2–3 Python quant projects (Black-Scholes solver, stats-arb backtests). Zero local quant industry or target-school pedigree in Pakistan.

The Dilemma: Can an international student from a non-target background break straight into an APAC quant trading/research desk (Flow, Optiver, IMC, DRW) via undergrad-level math olympiads, coding competitions, and self-taught rigor? Or is the bachelors-to-prop pipeline completely closed without an elite US/UK target degree (which I can't afford without a full scholarship)?

How should I approach my next 2 years to survive the resume filter?

[u/MiniBoglin → u/ExpressMacaroon3272]

I think your most likely path to T1 is to get some relevant T2 experience, perform well, add value, then try to jump to T1. 3-5 years may do it if you're exceptional

[u/ExpressMacaroon3272 → u/MiniBoglin]

Appreciate the reality check. When you say T2 experience, what kind of firms or alternative hubs (like smaller regional market makers, crypto prop shops like the ones mentioned earlier, or data/quant-adjacent roles in places like Dubai/regional hubs) serve as the best launching pad before attempting a lateral jump to T1?