[Choronzon]

Keep the following in mind..

HFT is not very profitable anymore.There are a fair number of companies in the field now.

HFT tends to be algorithmically simplistic.This is not because stupid people are working there but its very difficult to have algorithmic complexity and speed,and speed is more important.

It is very much a winner takes all game,profits are not evenly distributed,being fast is VERY important.

However good you are you are not a trader.You are a codemonkey. You will never be rewarded or compensated as a trader in most of these firms(some firms like Rentech are an exception to this,but rentech is not typical high frequency).

Your hourly rate will probably not be worth it. When you factor in variable compensation(ie bonus) which is not guaranteed and horrible working hours you would in most cases be better off with some boring bank java contract for compensation.