Tech vs Quant
Dear fellow blinders I have landed an offer at Google as a MLE (NLP application related) and at Tower Research as a quant researcher. I have noticed that quant has a much better comp at year 1, but Google has stock appreciation for RSU and better job security. Do you guys think that it is worth taking a risk? How is the ling term career prospect compare between tech and quants? Blind Tax: Google (L4, MV) 270K ( 180 / 80 / 10 ) Tower Research (NYC) 200K base + 200K bonus for year 1 TC: 240 Yoe: PhD + 1 yr
I didn’t know tower research still pays well.
The Quant role is a much better choice here—any uncertainty you have about the field will be well assuaged by the massive TC you’ll receive. ML is a great field to be in, but Google as a company is on a skid (not a full decline) and their flavor of ML may not get your career to the next step. You have a higher chance of furthering your career as a quant, though I’d ask some serious questions about Tower Research’s methodology, culture and vision. Good luck! TC: 90K
Depends on what pod you got the offer for at tower - some great teams who make tons of money and some other teams who get cut fast
^ this is the only correct answer. Please don't be misguided by the other comments post talking about the amazing $$$ in quant. As Citadel mentioned, it depends heavily on which pod within Tower. Tower consists of ~50 different pods which operate almost as independent companies. Some of these pods do extremely well while others are always on the verge of being cut. DM me for more info.
@square you work at tower?
I would go for tower and see if you like it. As someone mentioned above, it you join a pod that is successful and you enjoy what you are doing, you will make more money than at any tech company. From what I have experienced so far “quant” seems to be a mix between tech culture, academics and finance. Some shops tend to be heavily invested into building an academic environment. So if you liked that during your PhD you will also like it there. If you join make sure you enjoy the team and that the team is doing well. Only thing to mention here why not to take tower: you will have to work quite hard. People in that field tend to be super focused and work hard. The goal at the end of the day is to be better than competitors. I never encountered someone who did “rest + vest” in quant. If you can’t perform you won’t stay there long.
Job security at google ? Think again. At least at tower you won’t be laid off for daring making your market value (comp wise)
google if u wana have kids in next 3 years, tower research if not
What was the interview process with the Quant position?
Quant for the money and hustle, Google for WLB or starting a family
Citadel has the only correct answer on this post. It depends heavily on the pod within Tower, some are killing it while others will get cut the day after you join.
MLE at FAANG is overrated and you’ll be surrounded by a bunch of people like me with only a BS. NLP applications are also a dime a dozen as it’s the primary area getting VC right now. You’ll go much further as a quant.
Well, I respect BS people; they made the correct choice of joining good company over academia lol For real, I have met smart people without advanced degree and have respect on what they have spent time on instead of pursuing research. For the quant role, I think it has good prospects yet I feel like I am kind of afraid because I do not know that field that well
Google is an AI first company so it would be much different from Amazon, I’m an MLE as well and I’ve noticed this. With that said I think you’ll grow faster in the Quant firm, unless you know you’re going to work on the next generation of AI applications on Google, they used to have a great reputation of nurturing scientists.