[smabie]

I work as a quant trader and come from a software engineering background. Why don't you apply for jobs as an analyst in sales and trading? After a couple years, get an MBA or MFE or even try a PhD and move into a more quantitative trading/research role.

I think quantitative finance would be perfect for you. I know I wouldn't be able to stand doing anything else. Pay is awesome, problems are incredibly interesting, and the work environment is exciting and fun.

[init-as]

For the trading jobs, would I need experience in trading particularly. Also, for these jobs in general do side projects and the like matter a lot (like they do for SWE)? Thanks sm btw!

[smabie]

Unless you do something really amazing, they will judge you on your school and grades. When you're older, it's different of course.

You can't really get any real trading experience unless you work as an instiutional trader, so no, you don't need to have traded.

You also don't need to know anything about finance, though it helps. With a math+CS degree from a top school, I wouldn't imagine you have trouble getting a S&T offer at a bank (maybe not a specific bank like Goldman tho).

The other path you could take is to go straight to the buy-side: prop shop, hedge fund, etc. These jobs are significantly harder to get.

The money won't be as good at the sellside, but it's a lot less risky. Also having a big bank on your resume never hurts. Probably the most common career path is:

summer bank internship -> 2 year analyst stint -> mba/mfe/PhD -> associate role at bank or buy-side fund