How to become a Hedge Fund Analyst?

Question

I'm looking at schools right now. My guess is I will get into a school in the top 10-20 range and if Im really lucky maybe Northwestern or Columbia. i work in marketing/customer service in the healthcare industry. The two jobs Ive been considering post MBA are hedge fund analyst or consultant in entertainment and media. Im leaning towards Hedge fund analyst as I feel that there is a high turnover in consulting.

I will be applying in Round 1 in october. What are the steps I can take to help me prepare for a job as a hedge fund analyst. Is there anything I can do between now and finishing an MBA that will help prepare me? Thanks

I will be applying in Round 1 in october. What are the steps I can take to help me prepare for a job as a hedge fund analyst. Is there anything I can do between now and finishing an MBA that will help prepare me? Thanks

SilverBull · Answer

CFA and CAIA designations if you are really serious. I'd also dump Northwestern and focus on Columbia, NYU, Chicago, Wharton.

Greekmythology · Answer

Let's say I don't get into Columbia. Would you go to Cornell next as its near NYC?

SilverBull · Answer

The schools in applying to this fall are the schools most effective at placing into those kind of jobs. I'm looking to exit business school possibly as a hedge fund analyst as well.

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Greekmythology · Answer

Great. You'll have an internship lined up for me then right?

Seriously, thanks for the info.

Also, how long did you take to go from 680 to a 760? I need to improve in math and verbal but mostly math.

sterling19 · Answer

Start investing (preferably with real money, but a mock portfolio is better than nothing). Coming from a marketing background, you will have to try harder than other applicants to prove that you know your stuff. Best of luck to you.

SilverBull · Answer

It took me a month to go from 680 to 760 but obviously that could be shorter or longer for you. I did work my butt off during that period. Personally, I think that the verbal section is easier but harder to master. But, once mastered, it becomes easy as pie. The quant section I find to be the exact opposite. It is always a challenge, even if you are hitting 51.

ceekster · Answer

You can probably add MIT to that Mix or LBS if you want to do the Europe route. I work in Investment Banking and it's hard to crack the Financial Industry without experience. I suggest start taking classes on modelling and financial analysis.

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nishagg893 · Answer

The course you take in college will have little effect on both your ability to become and efficacy in being, a hedge fund analyst.

Further, the term "analyst", is a broad one.
There are Ops Analysts,
Risk Analysts,
Fundamental Analysts
Quant Analaysts
And the list goes on...

Most funds will hire someone out of college into a fairly junior position and train and groom that person themselves, into the analyst that they deem is most suitable (and at a young age with minimal experience, the above is generally more relative to the candidate's personality and overall disposition and less to their educational course-work).

I have seen college grads with every college-major imaginable get entry level positions at Hedge Funds.

All that said, you cannot go wrong with Economics and Mathematics.

I fI were you I would choose something that most importantly interests you as your Major and then Minor in Econ or Math.

How to become a Hedge Fund Analyst?

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