CQF + C++ Certificate + PhD in Signal Processing

WilfredChaiSG · Post by **WilfredChaiSG** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 10:16 am

Hi all,

I would like to seek for you advice.

My background is BS in Mechanical Engineering.

Do you all think if I get CQF(Wil mott), C++ Certificate(Quantnet) and PhD in Signal Processing, these qualifications will help me to go into algorithmic trading field or admission of good MFE programme?

I appreciated to listen your valuable advice.

Best regards,

WilfredChai

jungle · Post by **jungle** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 8:47 am

"Do you all think if I get CQF(Wil mott), C++ Certificate(Quantnet) and PhD in Signal Processing, these qualifications will help me to go into algorithmic trading field or admission of good MFE programme?"

You seem rather confused. Algorithmic trading or systematic trading? If the former, coding skills are probably most important, so why bother with CQF, PhD, and MFE? If the latter, why bother with CQF and MFE - what does derivatives pricing have to do with systematic trading? And why would anyone do a PhD to get into a Masters? And why would you do CQF if you're going to do an MFE?

Aside from all that, there are discussions elsewhere on NP regarding the motivation for doing a PhD and the value of an MFE. You might find discussions on the CQF, too.

EDIT - post edited for clarity.

goldorak · Post by **goldorak** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:46 pm

Where are the good old days when studying physics and being able to use Win95 were all one needed...?

Cheng · Post by **Cheng** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:33 am

Those are gone... But if you master Win 8 on a standard PC nowadays you are the boss, once again Smiley .

goldorak · Post by **goldorak** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 9:25 am

I guess being able to use a mouse is a skill that tends to disappear...

Or better: shortcuts!

DAXthebest · Post by **DAXthebest** » Sat Dec 28, 2013 6:34 pm

Most High freq trading firms have their own numerical test as a deciding factor for filtering the talented from the wannabes. Post that most interviews will grill you on your computational skills. I have known quite a few with a Bachelors in Engineering background getting the jobs. Its hanging in there where your skills will come into play.

You will lean quite a bit in the CQF and the PhD Signal Processing will surely have a lot of logic and programming which could be applied to algorithmic trading, but not a necessity.

The blatant truth however is that very little hiring right now. Lowest volumes in probably a decade, low volatilites and wafer thin spreads means all algo trading firms suffer. Add to that the volker rule and most banks have cut down (disguised ) their prop trading books

frstwrldprblm · Post by **frstwrldprblm** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 4:00 pm

My 2c:

Go do your PhD and be open to doing other things than just HFT. I am sure your life will work out just fine.