C++ Course

DBCyc

Hi,

I am an engineer looking for a career change into quantative analysis in the financial sector. Requirements for jobs include computer programming in C++ and some in Java / C#.

I would like to do a part time course in C++ programming. Can anyone recommend an evening / weekend course or advise if this is the best route to take?

Thanks!

ChRoMe

DBCyc wrote: »

Hi,

I am an engineer looking for a career change into quantative analysis in the financial sector. Requirements for jobs include computer programming in C++ and some in Java / C#.

I would like to do a part time course in C++ programming. Can anyone recommend an evening / weekend course or advise if this is the best route to take?

Thanks!

Its difficult to advise you without more information. What if any technical background do you have already?

DBCyc

ChRoMe wrote: »

Its difficult to advise you without more information. What if any technical background do you have already?

Cheers - 7 years as a civil engineer specialising in transport planning. This involved the use of modelling software and GIS with some basic coding in Visual Basic and Python.

I also did a module in Computer Science in college that had an introduction to programming in C and Fortran. So I suppose that I have a basic understanding of programming overall.

Manach

I found the O'Reilly "School of Technology" courses fairly good, and they've excellent tutorial support. However, I've not done their C++ course.

srsly78

Erm good luck with that OP. It's more the maths skills and finance experience they look for, in addition to being expert in multiple languages. Expect to compete against maths/physics phds for entry level positions. Very hard to get an interview even with a relevant qualification, some places state stuff like "must have first class degree from oxford or cambridge".

I changed from normal developer to quant developer btw (I blagged a job with a small consultancy, the larger banks all told me to fook off).

DBCyc

Manach wrote: »

I found the O'Reilly "School of Technology" courses fairly good, and they've excellent tutorial support. However, I've not done their C++ course.

Thanks - so online courses are worth considering also? Are they well recognised by potential employers?

I found the following course through a google search...

http://www.sct-ireland.com/cPlusBegin.php

Has anybody done it?

DBCyc

srsly78 wrote: »

Erm good luck with that OP. It's more the maths skills and finance experience they look for, in addition to being expert in multiple languages. Expect to compete against maths/physics phds for entry level positions.

I have decent maths skills and was advised by someone in the industry that it was worth applying for as they often take on qualified engineers. I figured that I was lacking in programming experience and am looking into that now

I have no doubt that it will be quite competitive and a difficult area to get into.

srsly78

I do know some quants with electronic engineering backgrounds, but EE is very mathsy. Most guys have maths/physics degrees, and a minority have compsci. There are different types of quants ofc, quant researcher = phd mathematician. Quant developer = guy that hooks it all up, and has some understanding of finance.

We mostly use c# these days btw. Finance is heavily dependent on microsoft desktop, Excel is HEAVILY used. If you have mad excel VBA skills this counts for a lot (obligatory: lolvba)

Ok, here is the real skinny:
As in most areas, recruitment is buzzword driven. For a modern quant the buzzwords (in addition to c++, c#, java etc) refer to the various middleware platforms for financial data: TIBCO, Bloomberg, Interactive Brokers etc. Go check that stuff out, get some experience with their apis etc. For example, create a c++ program that pulls a bunch of option data from somewhere. Problem is those services aren't free, dunno how you would experiment Maybe there is a student or demo version.

Also worth learning: interop tools, mixed mode CLR. Tools for microsoft office that let you use c# inside Excel, stuff like that. Only available since office 2007. There are some 3rd party solutions for <2007 that banks use but they are quite messy Banks still haven't fscking upgraded to 2007 ofc.

DBCyc

srsly78 wrote: »

I do know some quants with electronic engineering backgrounds, but EE is very mathsy. Most guys have maths/physics degrees, and a minority have compsci.

You're right about EE being more mathsy. My work experience involves quite a lot of maths and analysis rather than design. I develop transport models which involves calibration, validation & forecasting procedures that may be applicable/transferable to quants work.

I see what you are saying about the big banks - I assume its the CVs with 1st class honours in maths and the likes that are at the top of the pile. Are there many smaller practises that I should also consider then?

EDIT: I have lots of experience in excel and a decent bit of VBA, cheers.

srsly78

Well you aren't looking for entry level it seems. Sure go learn some c++, but I'd say c#/vba is more likely to get you a job. Need to learn about finance tho, which is complicated to say the least Have to learn all this stuff about bonds and futures for work myself.

Just go crazy and send cv to loads of banks / finance jobs. That's what I did, and after Barcap rejected me (got to last round w00t w00t) a smaller place picked me up

DBCyc

Well I'd gladly take a position at a junior level and learn the ropes, but I would hope that my experience would stand to me to some extent. I have some basic finance experience, worked in a bank HQ for a few summers as a trainee in risk & corporate banking.

I'll look up some C# courses also then and find out more about the middleware platforms mentioned.

Thanks a lot for the great feedback and advice.