Hacker News Reader

Comment by hackandtrip | Hacker News Reader

Another question to who does algorithmic trading, is a software / engineering education with a strong math and data analysis useful to get into that? Do you have some particular resource where someone can start to approach it?

View on HN

You can get a degree in it. I've considered applying,(i live in Atlanta) but I have a family to feed and can't just quit my job for a new degree. Also most of the big money is in NYC so you'll likely move...but you'd retire in 10 years because you either made a lot of money, or have a lot of stress.

https://www.scheller.gatech.edu/degree-programs/interdiscipl...

Algorithmic trading is the epitome of a meritocracy. I'm highly skeptical of anyone offering a degree in algorithmic trading other than as a historical perspectives. It's an evolving field and extremely cutthroat. I would liken it to going to film school and trying to become Steven Spielberg.

How is the correlation between "epitome of a meritocracy" and "higly skeptical of a degree"? Is that for it being an evolving field?

The industry has no customers to win over, no sales pitches, no marketing. You either make money or not. I'm skeptical of a degree for several reasons: * Knowledge of what works this year may not work next year. * Teaching people increases competition and dilutes any edge you might have. * If they could earn a living doing this, why wouldn't they be doing that instead of teaching classes?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com