Career Decision: Software vs. Trading

[lwlee]

If you're going to do a MFE, you should definitely think about becoming a quant. Wall Street recently has been clamoring for more quants. It appears that you're leaning towards trading but don't want the years of education go to waste. As a quant, you get to develop trading systems. You won't be able to trade but you'll get to learn how trading is done through things like algorithmic trading systems.

BTW, Berkeley has an excellent MFE program. Check out this guy's blog Quest for MFE

[ep510]

Thanks for everyone that gave genuine advice to me. It really helped me out. I ended up taking the MSFT offer and plan on learning more about the markets/trading on my own in the meantime. I sort of lost focus on what my interests were, and I think I really do enjoy creating stuff.

Regarding the note about 95% of traders failing, I recall seeing that figure being mentioned in this forum about poker as well. Apparently, I was lucky enough to be in the 5% that was successful at poker, and I don't see why (with due dilligence) I won't be able to do so with trading as well.

Last note, I do have a girlfriend, and that relationship takes a lot of time as well. I'm still figuring out how to balance everything in my life. I guess I have a lot of great options open to me and sometimes it's hard to take a step back and really appreciate what you have.

Thanks again everyone.

Eric