"In 2022, I was standing at the crossroads between quant trading and tech. It was my final year of undergrad. Blinded by the initial high salary and prestige, I joined a firm as a quantitative strategist for the summer. I was learning so much and working with incredible people, but I was increasingly convinced that I should go back to school. I decided to move from India to the States for my master's."
"After interviewing in both fields, I chose an AI startup. The hours are long, the base pay is lower than I would've gotten in quant, and it's been an intense year, but I don't regret my decision, and here's why. My master's program gave me time to explore both career options When I moved to the US to get my master's in computer science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, I already knew that I wanted to pursue courses in quant, AI, and computer science."
Varun began with a quant trading internship drawn by high pay and prestige, then pursued a master's in computer science in the United States. The master's program enabled exploration of both quant and AI through coursework, research, and industry conversations. Quant offered a clearer, faster career trajectory with higher initial compensation. AI appeared messier, rapidly changing, and less predictable but promised broader challenges and growth potential. After interviewing in both fields, Varun accepted a role at an AI startup, enduring longer hours and lower base pay while prioritizing learning, impact, and long-term career alignment.
Read at Business Insider
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