Can we earn more than the medical field?

[tooeasy]

Education for quants can be similar in length, with that being said, can we earn more than doctors or surgeons?

 

[QuantCoach]

Yes. Some quants retire at an age earlier than doctors get out of residency. Not many people at my firm are older than 30. Now do we the world as much good as doctors? Probably not.

 

[tooeasy]

Yes. Some quants retire at an age earlier than doctors get out of residency. Not many people at my firm are older than 30. Now do we the world as much good as doctors? Probably not.

Glad to hear this, because I know some quant trade/research jobs are attainable with a bachelor's degree.

 

[QuantCoach]

Why is compensation the only thing you're considering? Comp at quant firms is fair - to earn a few million, you need to make the firm a multiple of that whether through trading or alpha research, it's not just them handing you free money. Also seems weird to compare it to doctors when the job is very different. I can tell you that even a NBA benchwarmer makes more than most quants and surgeons if that interests you too.

 

[tooeasy]

Why is compensation the only thing you're considering? Comp at quant firms is fair - to earn a few million, you need to make the firm a multiple of that whether through trading or alpha research, it's not just them handing you free money. Also seems weird to compare it to doctors when the job is very different. I can tell you that even a NBA benchwarmer makes more than most quants and surgeons if that interests you too.

I'm looking at fields that I can make enough to offset my student loans. I am also interested in the career. The comparison was just due to medical fields being the highest earners. I suppose they have more loans than myself though. Also I would call medical careers more attainable than the NBA.

 

[Lukee]

I'm looking at fields that I can make enough to offset my student loans. I am also interested in the career. The comparison was just due to medical fields being the highest earners. I suppose they have more loans than myself though. Also I would call medical careers more attainable than the NBA.

There are plenty of careers that you can pursue that will allow you to pay off your student loans and live comfortably. I think what's more important is finding a career that you will actually enjoy, based on what I've heard on here it seems quite difficult to succeed in this industry if you have no passion. I would be willing to bet that a doctor who loves his job will end up with a far better life than a quant that dreads going into work everyday.

 

[tooeasy]

There are plenty of careers that you can pursue that will allow you to pay off your student loans and live comfortably. I think what's more important is finding a career that you will actually enjoy, based on what I've heard on here it seems quite difficult to succeed in this industry if you have no passion. I would be willing to bet that a doctor who loves his job will end up with a far better life than a quant that dreads going into work everyday.

I'm interested in combining programming and math.

 

[MikeLawrence]

I'm looking at fields that I can make enough to offset my student loans. I am also interested in the career. The comparison was just due to medical fields being the highest earners. I suppose they have more loans than myself though. Also I would call medical careers more attainable than the NBA.

This is a good way to look at college, it is an investment. Now, among the fields that will allow you to pay off student debt, which one's appear
A: most attainable (maximize median outcome)
B: most satisfying, those which match your interests

I'm interested in combining programming and math.

Then it looks like you're on a good path.

Don't be deluded and think this is a sure thing though, the quant space is not easy to get into. Among the options that you find interesting, this one will almost surely pay off your loans CONDITIONAL on your making it into the field. It is doable, especially if you start early and prep well, but it isn't easy. By comparison, doctor is easier (in the sense of more attainable, median-outcome wise). There are tradeoffs here.

There are many other fields to be considered as well. But you are here so:
Where are you in your education, and what is your background in math, stats, and computer science?

 

[Daniel Duffy]

Education for quants can be similar in length, with that being said, can we earn more than doctors or surgeons?

It's not exactly rocket science, what?