Best college major for trading

Discussion in 'Trading' started by TradeRanger, Nov 12, 2003.


  1. With all these quants running the market, thinking and crunching the numbers the same way the markets will probably lock up and violently move in both directions when the REAL players who actually scour the globe taking in what is actually happening out there make a move. I suppose it depends on what you want to do.....if you want to push a pencil at LEH I guess its fine....if you want to be an independent trader I'm not so sure....... look at livermore, tudor jones, linda Bradford Rascke, Dimitri at shoney, soros, jimmy rogers and i think you will find a full range of educational backgrounds.
     
    #51     Nov 13, 2003
  2. It's probably just a filter so they dont have to look
    through 10,000 resumes. A simple way to get the number
    down to a reasonably smaller stack to look through in detail.

    peace

    axeman



     
    #52     Nov 13, 2003
  3. Pizza Delivery guy, or blackjack/poker player....We have gentlemen with these credentials that I will put up against any "quant" or PhD.....

    I am not in any way slighting the benefits of a good education. It is just that I have seen many a professor type attempt trading, only to get into some trouble when they hit the trading floors.

    (some times "too much thinkin'" can get in the way).....

    There is no "profile" that I would hang my hat on as far as trading is concerned....I've been fooled completely by new people who I thought would do well (and didn't), and those that "would never make it" who are super-"alpha" traders.

    Dedication and desire are paramount.....

    Get into a Bright Trading Intership program while you're still in school, and you'll have a "leg up" on your career in trading.

    Don
     
    #53     Nov 13, 2003
  4. acrary

    acrary

    Just part of the picture to establish a pattern of success. Since most candidates are around 25 and haven't worked in business, we had to have some way to look for the best of the best. In a typical year we'd get 1000+ applications for 10 openings.

    I PM'd you with the details if you want to check that I worked at a IB.
     
    #54     Nov 13, 2003
  5. acrary is right

    I have been at an IB for years too.
     
    #55     Nov 13, 2003
  6. mattpime

    mattpime

    Manipulation!

    and ..... Chicks!!!
     
    #56     Nov 13, 2003

  7. wait a second....are u telling us that the folks everyone is bitching about on the IB phones are selected 1/100? Imagine the service you'd get from the rejects!

    but seriously...since you are insiders.....IB a good firm?
     
    #57     Nov 13, 2003
  8. acrary

    acrary

    IB in this context = Investment Bank ..... not Interactive Brokers

    Can't comment on Interactive Brokers since I don't know anything about them.
     
    #58     Nov 13, 2003
  9. sammybea

    sammybea

    Acrary, I was under the impression that you meant Interactive Brokers.. I got your PM, and i do believe you worked in the industry (no need to call them!) Just have never been asked for the SAT scores.. I have been asked for GMATs though.
     
    #59     Nov 13, 2003
  10. logikos

    logikos

    If I had to do it all again:

    B.S. in Computer Science or Management Information Systems, with a minor in Psychology, followed immediately with an M.B.A. from the hardest school I could get into.

    Why? An M.I.S. background gives you the skills to analyze data, plus the programming background to work with the programming languaages provided with most analysis packages. The reason for the psychology minor is obvious. Same for the M.B.A. You will get enough math with these two degree plans.

    I personally think that a person can get TOO educated to trade effectively, that's why I suggest more of a balanced educational background targeting the nuts and bolts of what you will actually need on a day to day basis.
     
    #60     Nov 14, 2003