About the ProgramThe recent explosive growth in quantitative finance has led mathematics, physics, computer science and engineering students of all levels to wonder whether a career or an advanced degree in quantitative finance is right for them. With the rapid increase in sophisticated quantitative and computational techniques employed in financial firms there has been increasing demand for students with highly quantitative backgrounds to work in the financial field and an increase in advanced degree programs covering these topics. The "How I Became a Quant" forum is designed to give a personal view of the world of quantitative finance from the point of view of professionals with varying specialties. Without formulas or PowerPoints, our panelists share their own experiences and engage in a moderated discussion with plenty of time for questions.
The 2008 How I Became a Quant event was sponsored by the International Association of Financial Engineers and the Fischer Black Memorial Foundation
An overflow crowd of prospective students attended this year's event. Participants included (left to right): Financial Engineering Program Director and Moderator Nejat Seyhun, Marcos Leonardo Benvenuto, BCP Securities, LLC; Reza Kamaly, Necessity and Chance, LLC; Larry Suarez, Comerica Bank; and Gilbert Rubley II, DTE Energy Risk Analysis.