How can I learn high finance?

[Jason Voorhees]

Plz help me out finance bros.

 

[Jason Voorhees]

@qazw @ascension @ReadBooksEveryday @Remeliawpckhardt

 

[willbetruechang2299]

Go to t20 big finance school

 

[willbetruechang2299]

In the finance world, connections are key
If you're not in a place like Wharton, Sloan, etc. it's going to be very hard to break into a high-paying position worth your time. You can try going to grad school if you're in uni still.

 

[Jason Voorhees]

Go to t20 big finance school

In the finance world, connections are key
If you're not in a place like Wharton, Sloan, etc. it's going to be very hard to break into a high-paying position worth your time. You can try going to grad school if you're in uni still.

I'm an ITcel. I have solid grip on math, and bit of ML under my belt. But when it comes to actual finance, I know nothing. I get paid well and I enjoy my work rn

But I don't want to stay a pure tech bro forever. I get paid well but I want to break into intermediary or management-side roles-stuff like product management at fintech firms, quant ops, business/ data strategy roles at hedge funds, IB/PE tech interfacing positions.

 

[Jason Voorhees]

@DBDR @SecularIslamist

 

[Jason Voorhees]

@widdi

 

[DRACOX]

Plz help me out finance bros.

No reason to learn it. Life will be over for us in ~5 years

 

[DBDR]

But you're already a rich software engineer?

 

[xzx_]

No reason to learn it. Life will be over for us in ~5 years

why 5 years

 

[DRACOX]

why 5 years

Dalits

 

[Jason Voorhees]

But you're already a rich software engineer?

View attachment 3967836

I don't want to stay a pure tech bro forever. I get paid well but I want to break into intermediary or management-side roles-stuff like product management at fintech firms, quant ops, business/ data strategy roles at hedge funds, IB/PE tech interfacing positions.

 

[whitebitchslayer]

Plz help me out finance bros.

Step 1. Go to prestigious school
Step 2. Get hired
Step 3. Sit around answering emails all day because that’s what “high finance” is

 

[DBDR]

I don't want to stay a pure tech bro forever. I get paid well but I want to break into intermediary or management-side roles-stuff like product management at fintech firms, quant ops, business/ data strategy roles at hedge funds, IB/PE tech interfacing positions.

Nice. I'm the opposite. I wanna be a tech wizard. I'm transitioning to my own thing rn.

 

[willbetruechang2299]

I'm an IT guy. I have solid grip on math, and bit of ML under my belt. But when it comes to actual finance, I know nothing. I get paid well and I enjoy my work rn

But I don't want to stay a pure tech bro forever. I get paid well but I want to break into intermediary or management-side roles-stuff like product management at fintech firms, quant ops, business/ data strategy roles at hedge funds, IB/PE tech interfacing positions.

You could try doing financial engineering or potentially quant since you mentioned you're good at math. The basics of finance aren't that hard to learn, you'll probably be able to learn about easy terms and groundwork like net profit, gross profit, bear+bull, how to read stock markets (for quant), different types of bank accounts, macro+microeconomics, assets, balance sheets, all normie shit that's water. Try online courses or signing up at your local CC for these courses.
Judging by your previous experiences in IT, i would say
1: financial engineering
2: quant finance
3: potential accountant (excelmaxxing)

If you're dedicated, you could for sure break into it at probably a mid-level firm depending on your resume. Obviously not right off the bat, transitioning into finance is very competitive if you have no prior experience with money or the world at all.
Did you take any business APs or clubs in high school? (If you're in the US)

 

[ReadBooksEveryday]

Step 1. Be Jewish

Sorry incel you already failed

 

[Jason Voorhees]

You could try doing financial engineering or potentially quant since you mentioned you're good at math. The basics of finance aren't that hard to learn, you'll probably be able to learn about easy terms and groundwork like net profit, gross profit, bear+bull, how to read stock markets (for quant), different types of bank accounts, macro+microeconomics, assets, balance sheets, all normie shit that's water. Try online courses or signing up at your local CC for these courses.
Judging by your previous experiences in IT, i would say
1: financial engineering
2: quant finance
3: potential accountant (excelmaxxing)

If you're dedicated, you could for sure break into it at probably a mid-level firm depending on your resume. Obviously not right off the bat, transitioning into finance is very competitive if you have no prior experience with money or the world at all.
Did you take any business APs or clubs in high school? (If you're in the US)

Yeah. I'm in the US now but I'm an immigrant didn't really go through the traditional US high school system. No APs, no business clubs, and honestly, no exposure to finance at all growing up. Just focused on STEM and getting into a good college.


I'm not afraid of grinding through the basics. The normie stuff like macro/micro, balance sheets, P&L, all that I'm confident I can pick that up quickly. I'm more unsure about how to go from that foundation into something serious like financial engineering or quant roles without a formal finance/econ background. Do you recommend any certifications or something to geg started.

 

[Jason Voorhees]

Nice. I'm the opposite. I wanna be a tech wizard. I'm transitioning to my own thing rn.

Tech wizard jfl. I just stare at screen 70% of the time lol

 

[Jason Voorhees]

Nice. I'm the opposite. I wanna be a tech wizard. I'm transitioning to my own thing rn.

Transitioning to what?

 

[Lefty Rankin]

Plz help me out finance bros.

Get high and make financial decisions.

 

[widdi]

@widdi

@CelestialEmpire

Learn from the GOAT

 

[Jason Voorhees]

@CelestialEmpire

Learn from the GOAT

Why is he thr GOAT? Is he some kind of top finance guru or something

 

[DBDR]

Transitioning to what?

Self-employment.

 

[willbetruechang2299]

Yeah. I'm in the US now but I'm an immigrant didn't really go through the traditional US high school system. No APs, no business clubs, and honestly, no exposure to finance at all growing up. Just focused on STEM and getting into a good college.


I'm not afraid of grinding through the basics. The normie stuff like macro/micro, balance sheets, P&L, all that I'm confident I can pick that up quickly. I'm more unsure about how to go from that foundation into something serious like financial engineering or quant roles without a formal finance/econ background. Do you recommend any certifications or something to geg started.

For the basics you can go to investopedia, coursera, etc. those will educate you on the basics and investopedia is free so you can go back if you forget.
Make sure you know leetcode for quant and engineering
Network, network, network
Connections are key, you won't be the ceo of a company unless someone refers you so better start going to networking events
Take a few months to build up connections, cold email like crazy, send out preferably 10+ a day and send another one a few days after if they didn't respond, just assume they read them.

If you're doing quant CQF is a must
For literally anything in general regarding investment
CFA lvl1 is the standard
Watch online lectures about finance and stuff.
Those two certifications you can get started with
CFA lvl1 will take you a long time so start asap

 

[Jason Voorhees]

Self-employment.

SaaS?

 

[DBDR]

SaaS?

 

[NepoCel]

With tech as your backgground i would recommend focusing on quant training for you.

In your position it's truly just a numbers game. Min max your resume with CFA certifcations, 100's of coffee chats and humbling of your ego.

Maybe you need to take an internship at a smaller boutique bs firm with no prestige and build rep through that.

Then just rinse repeat the min maxxing and getting the network to proceed. Network of course being the most important.

High finance is usually the same couple of families and friends bringing the dynasty on to their children and their childrens friends.

I do investment banking and my grades are shit, but networking and filling my friend group with nepo babies took me places.

 

[Jason Voorhees]

For the basics you can go to investopedia, coursera, etc. those will educate you on the basics and investopedia is free so you can go back if you forget.
Make sure you know leetcode for quant and engineering
Network, network, network
Connections are key, you won't be the ceo of a company unless someone refers you so better start going to networking events
Take a few months to build up connections, cold email like crazy, send out preferably 10+ a day and send another one a few days after if they didn't respond, just assume they read them.

If you're doing quant CQF is a must
For literally anything in general regarding investment
CFA lvl1 is the standard
Watch online lectures about finance and stuff.
Those two certifications you can get started with
CFA lvl1 will take you a long time so start asap

Appreciate the advice is super helpful.

Couple of doubts though:

1. CFA Level 1 vs CQF — I know CFA is more investment-focused and CQF leans quant/technical, but for someone like me coming from IT with no finance degree, which one gives better ROI early on? Like, should I try CFA Level 1 first to prove I can hang with the finance bros before diving into CQF?


2. I’ve heard CFA Level 1 is very theoretical. How relevant is it for people who want to get into product/strategy roles at fintech firms or even more hybrid positions at investment banks (like tech-product side)?


3. For cold emailing — do you just go for people in mid-level roles at firms or shoot straight for VPs/associates? I don’t want to come off as annoying or waste someone’s time.


Also are there any specific online lectures or playlists you recommend for financial basics beyond Investopedia? Like something structured? Thanks again man this gives me a much clearer picture.

 

[Jason Voorhees]

With tech as your backgground i would recommend focusing on quant training for you.

In your position it's truly just a numbers game. Min max your resume with CFA certifcations, 100's of coffee chats and humbling of your ego.

Maybe you need to take an internship at a smaller boutique bs firm with no prestige and build rep through that.

Then just rinse repeat the min maxxing and getting the network to proceed. Network of course being the most important.

High finance is usually the same couple of families and friends bringing the dynasty on to their children and their childrens friends.

I do investment banking and my grades are shit, but networking and filling my friend group with nepo babies took me places.

Do you think it's worth targeting non-NYC locations for these boutique internships to stand out more easily? Like smaller financial hubs where competition is lower?

Also agree about the "nepo-network" aspect. A lot of people gatekeep that truth and it definitely seems to be that way. Connections matter a lot more in finance it seems.

 

[NepoCel]

Do you think it's worth targeting non-NYC locations for these boutique internships to stand out more easily? Like smaller financial hubs where competition is lower?

Also agree about the "nepo-network" aspect. A lot of people gatekeep that truth and it definitely seems to be that way. Connections matter a lot more in finance it seems.

Definetely, that's what i've done. Currently on my bachelors, after i'm done my boss told me that he has connections to the major private equity funds in Europe from his many years of experience of which he would love to help me out getting an interview.

Trust me, if someone of high status in the finance field likes you on a personal level and wants you to do better, you are only 1 phonecall away from a higher paying position or a different industry.

The thing about finance is that though the pay is good on all levels, the salary progression is VERY exponential in high finance, which means that if you plan on staying in the field, the majority of your money will be made during your 40's and 50's which would be millions most likely.

It's also a game of time

 

[Jason Voorhees]

Definetely, that's what i've done. Currently on my bachelors, after i'm done my boss told me that he has connections to the major private equity funds in Europe from his many years of experience of which he would love to help me out getting an interview.

Trust me, if someone of high status in the finance field likes you on a personal level and wants you to do better, you are only 1 phonecall away from a higher paying position or a different industry.

The thing about finance is that though the pay is good on all levels, the salary progression is VERY exponential in high finance, which means that if you plan on staying in the field, the majority of your money will be made during your 40's and 50's which would be millions most likely.

It's also a game of time

I have boss who im in good terms with and is well-connected too been in the industry for years and seems to know a ton of high-profile people across finance and tech. never really thought of leveraging that relationship beyond day-to-day work, but maybe I should start building more trust and gradually ask if he'd be open to making intros down the line. He is super nice to me also. And yeah im aware of that. In tech, it is the opposite you can earn a very high salary pretty early but after a point compensation tends to plateau unless you move into management, land equity in a startup that exits or become a top-tier engineer (like L6+ at Google).

 

[willbetruechang2299]

Appreciate the advice is super helpful.

Couple of doubts though:

1. CFA Level 1 vs CQF — I know CFA is more investment-focused and CQF leans quant/technical, but for someone like me coming from IT with no finance degree, which one gives better ROI early on? Like, should I try CFA Level 1 first to prove I can hang with the finance bros before diving into CQF?


2. I’ve heard CFA Level 1 is very theoretical. How relevant is it for people who want to get into product/strategy roles at fintech firms or even more hybrid positions at investment banks (like tech-product side)?


3. For cold emailing — do you just go for people in mid-level roles at firms or shoot straight for VPs/associates? I don’t want to come off as annoying or waste someone’s time.


Also are there any specific online lectures or playlists you recommend for financial basics beyond Investopedia? Like something structured? Thanks again man this gives me a much clearer picture.

CFA 1 is definitely more "all-around" and will help you navigate the world a lot better than CQF, cqf is niche asf
Do CFA 1 first fs and if you think you're interested in quant then do CQF
and CFA will give better roi just bc you'll get treated more serious if you have that, it's like a man and his balls if you don't have the balls you're not treated seriously
basically it's like a stamp of approval

all the "theoretical" stuff is just accounting and econ theories, nothing in finance is like exactly the same or is pretty rare unless you're on a fixed budget that keeps buying the same inventory so it's useful to know the lingo and theories to predict stuff

and finally for cold email
senior associates/associates are best cus they usually have less emails
try to go for people you know already or went to school together, the college culture is mad crazy especially in the south (aggies) or people you know that have transitioned to finance they can give you tips as well
Check out aswath damodaran on yt he's a stern prof
I learned a shit ton from his lectures
And of course location matters too

 

[Jason Voorhees]

@imontheloose

 

[Jason Voorhees]

CFA 1 is definitely more "all-around" and will help you navigate the world a lot better than CQF, cqf is niche asf
Do CFA 1 first fs and if you think you're interested in quant then do CQF
and CFA will give better roi just bc you'll get treated more serious if you have that, it's like a man and his balls if you don't have the balls you're not treated seriously
basically it's like a stamp of approval

all the "theoretical" stuff is just accounting and econ theories, nothing in finance is like exactly the same or is pretty rare unless you're on a fixed budget that keeps buying the same inventory so it's useful to know the lingo and theories to predict stuff

and finally for cold email
senior associates/associates are best cus they usually have less emails
try to go for people you know already or went to school together, the college culture is mad crazy especially in the south (aggies) or people you know that have transitioned to finance they can give you tips as well
Check out aswath damodaran on yt he's a stern prof
I learned a shit ton from his lectures
And of course location matters too

Thx for all the help brah.

 

[willbetruechang2299]

Thx for all the help brah.

Np twin hopefully you moneymax and become a millionare

 

[imontheloose]

@imontheloose

Sorry, I’m not good with finance.

 

[ascension]

For me it was just as simple as studying Econ at Uni and landing a graduate programme at one of the Big 4. From there, it's just about doing the work properly, networking and doing extra certs on the side like CFA or CISI

 

[Jason Voorhees]

For me it was just as simple as studying Econ at Uni and landing a graduate programme at one of the Big 4. From there, it's just about doing the work properly, networking and doing extra certs on the side like CFA or CISI

Brutal so I have to work for 4 years to get thr work ex to apply to top MBA schools to break into finance @Chadeep

 

[Jason Voorhees]

For me it was just as simple as studying Econ at Uni and landing a graduate programme at one of the Big 4. From there, it's just about doing the work properly, networking and doing extra certs on the side like CFA or CISI

What graduate programme did you do? Was it an mba? Dont top buisness schools only take in people with work ex for their mbs programmes?

 

[Jason Voorhees]

@greycel

 

[AverageCurryEnjoyer]

Get some ceetifications. Like cfa, cpa and acca. Shit like that with abhiid tech job makes companies wet

 

[greycel]

connections are key

Majority of people I know who're in finance, have gotten in using connections.
All also had top tier qualifications

 

[CelestialEmpire]

jfl just ask a forum full of 14yo indian aspergers on how to succeed in finance theory

 

[ascension]

What graduate programme did you do? Was it an mba? Dont top buisness schools only take in people with work ex for their mbs programmes?

Nah a graduate scheme in the UK is run by companies to hire graduates, that's all. They have really tough selection processes and tests to get in though.

 

[ascension]

The only work experience I had at that point was working in a supermarket part time alongside my studies. And tbh, it did help during interviews, I'd always use examples from my work there to answer their questions.