Not reasonnable

polysena · Post by **polysena** » Mon Jan 25, 2016 2:59 pm

Is it just I or other mathematically trained NPers share with me this view that the following advertised program over two days is mostly unreasonnable?

refresher?

Just to make it clear_ I am not considering it for myself... given my background I could teach the course.. This is why it makes me slightly irritated that people sell a package like this (not for cheap) and make believe that the course consumer will end up in really improving their skills...

silverside · Post by **silverside** » Mon Jan 25, 2016 4:10 pm

It's "all over the place", it seems.

Back when I did my MSc we started with a refresher on what we called " fundamental tools". Even with a motivated and selected group, it took 3 pretty intense days to get through a few basic mathematical concepts - from memory, mainly linear algebra (eigenvalues and eigenvectors) and real analysis (ode's and maybe pde's) . was very useful. But I suspect you'd do better working through Schaum's notes yourself.

Cheng · Post by **Cheng** » Mon Jan 25, 2016 4:20 pm

Two words: forget it.

Way too many different topics in close to no time. You could easily spend one day on each of the topics mentioned, without the workshops. This might be a nice 2 week course, though.

jslade · Post by **jslade** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 2:09 am

I met a former medallion portfolio manager once. I remember him asking something like "what's a CFA?" I guess, someone who goes to courses like that.

MCgeneratedname · Post by **MCgeneratedname** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 10:41 am

Companies need to give some treats to their employees for their "career"-development.

There is a cottage industry (especially here in England/London) that caters to this demand.

Nothing to do with usefulness.

silverside · Post by **silverside** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 11:50 am

It's a good question though : if staff don't have the time or motivation to do a full course such as CFA, PRM, etc, how to find and evaluate a useful alternative?? Just thinking about technical side for now - for general management skills there are also many providers.

MCgeneratedname · Post by **MCgeneratedname** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 12:27 pm

The evaluation part is the difficult bit.

I think the online courses (coursera, udacity) are trying to jump into this: They use credible lecturers from known universities.

They work quite well if you want to learn a specific technical skill. And there is a certificate at the end if you are willing to pay.

Only downside is the image problem they still have.

polysena · Post by **polysena** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 7:15 pm

Well even if companies need to give some treats to their employees, it is in my view wasted money the employee probably learns basically nothing, and the company throws money through the window.. waste

MCgeneratedname · Post by **MCgeneratedname** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 9:08 pm

haha... have you ever worked in a large company or organisation where people think in terms of budgets?

wasting money/time/resources is at the core of every decision.

polysena · Post by **polysena** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 9:54 pm

Yes call me naive but still, just useless.. and a complete sham make people believe that they will learn maths in 5 secs...