I'm living proof that you don't need ANY COLLEGE! YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PROGRAM! Just learn the markets and how to exploit them. It can be done. I'm still working full time at a cable company and managing $$$ professionally for 2 clients. Once I raise a little bit more capital then I'm going full time and I will quit my 9-5. gotta run good luck
There are all types. It depends on the place and strategies involved. I know FI traders with PhDs in maths and others with no degree. Quite a few that I know in global macro have degrees in philosophy. So to answer your question. Yes.
Would be at your advantage instead. Knowing too much of those stuffs may lead you to join this thread.
You don't necessarily need math to be come a trader. But math helps develop your mind, logic and problem solving ability. So even if you don't get a degree, a few courses - algebra 1&2, trig, geometry will help with trading. Even if you don't go to school, you can get and study math tutorials/DVDs from Netflix... http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Algebra_2_Tutor/70041895?lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=276041844_30_3 http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Advanced_Algebra_Tutor/70086986?lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=276041844_31_3 http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Standa...035518?lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=276041844_33_3 are a few good ones...
In fact most succesful traders didn't had degrees in Finance when they began being profitable. AFTER this, they got some degrees, to gain further reputation. In contrast, most economists consistently lose money.
op, "Finally someone on this board with some intellect!" so, the first person to agree with what you desperately want to believe is "finally someone with intellect"? outstanding logic. while i tend to agree with robbie (i work with him and he's easily one of the top traders at our firm,.......and he also started as an engineer in school), math and science do provide a solid background in critical thinking, and problem solving. its no coincidence the overwhelming majority of new hires in trading positions (at firms that actually pay you to work there) go to math/sci/engin/fin. students from top schools. by completing a difficult program you demonstrate an ability to adapt and perservere with something challenging. anything's possible, just not likely. jack
I do not know what you consider the long run, however I've making money since 1998 and am very happy. I dropped out of college with 16 credits, almost all in political science, communications and history. The most advanced math class I have taken is HS calc.
No formal schooling is really needed to be successful at trading. However being able to read people and add, subtract, multiply and divide large numbers in your head rather quickly doesn't hurt!
You are better off going to school. Wall Street is an expensive place to learn. Especially, if you are going to actively trade, which is considered the riskiest of all strategies. Warren Buffett says it best: To be a good investor you need to be a student of Wall Street. Anyone who tells you to forgo school is just plain stupid. http://viking.som.yale.edu/will/hedge/Hedge Funds 2005.htm