Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with analyst

What are the chances of becoming a Quantitative Analyst in the UK with a PhD in Electronic Engineering?

noztran — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:49:42 -0800

What are my chances in becoming a Quantitative Analyst in UK, and if they are not too bleak, how to improve them? I realise this is a rather significant career path change, however, as I have been given to understand, many banks and financial institutions in UK do employ PhDs from a wide variety of backgrounds. I am about to finish my PhD in Electronic Engineering (specifically, Optoelectronics - lasers, fibre optics, etc.) I have been doing in a British university. As much as I enjoy my subject, I do not plan to continue my career in academia.

To conclude, my question is not totally hypothetical. After googling a bit, I have compiled a brief list of what I have been exposed to, and what I believe banks/financial institutions might find of interest:
- chaos theory
- ordinary differential equations
- wrote a simulation of semiconductor laser dynamics in FORTRAN
- analysed gigabytes of data (not kidding!), both in time-domain and frequency-domain
- visualised the aforementioned data in numerous ways
- stared at the graphs and figures until the point when I wanted to rip my eyes out :)

Thanks in advance

Hey, I'm always curious about that green grass over the fence.

universal_qlc — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:45:30 -0800

Please humor me and tell me about being a market research analyst. I find myself increasingly curious about how consumer and provider/vendor (read: competitor) behavior and resources can be quantified and subsequently leveraged. I've read the bureau of labor statistics summary, but day-to-day, first hand experiences would be nice to know about (I uh, know nobody in the industry).

- What types of software/technical/quantitative skills are necessary? I assume a mad knowledge of statistics, sampling and survey methods, and a keen eye for when they can go terribly wrong, but what else?
- Are there certain personality traits that lend themselves particularly well to market research/analysis?
- What kinds of entry-level jobs and career paths are there for people in this field, other than what was mentioned here? Or is that it?
- What does the day-to-day routine or common tasks look like?
- Good stories? Horror stories?

Thanks!

Cruel by inevitable extinction of Excel monkeys

Anonymous — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:01:20 -0800

What to do about the inevitable irrelevance of my skill set? I do primarily VBA work in Excel and MS Access an Ops department for a large, publicly traded company. I also do MS Access DB development. This is pretty much all I do, not a side function of a larger job, but my title is 'analyst' -- it doesn't reflect what I do.

I also do process improvement projects, though I'm not a Six Sigma person. It's very ad hoc: meet with department staff, try to draw their disparate spreadsheets and methodologies together, come up with a solution they can all use that doesn't involve six people keeping track of X six different ways. Since there's often some kind of report manipulation or emailing such and such to so and so a hundred times, there's usually some automation, or the development of a database, etc.

I'm not a computer science major; I was a humanities major. I'm reasonably good at this, having done it to for more or less ten years. The past five years as an Ops person, the first five years as part of a solutions development team for end users. Then I used VB5 or VB6. My current company won't allow my area to use VB (IT is technically elsewhere -- I'm not in IT.) I learned VBA after VB.

My career is stalled somewhat (I took a few years off to go to grad school for a useless English degree. I have an MFA) and I don't have the roots or visibility at my current job to advance much there, other than the way that everyone else seems to advance at that company, which is by sticking around long enough that somebody promotes you. This is an old, tired, very non-progressive company and they will not give me .net or update my title. This is a terrible job market, where I live, and there aren't tons of big companies who need the sort of thing I'm describing above.

So I'd like your thoughts on the following:

1. I don't think I do a very good job of saying 'this is what I can do and this is how I can help you' in my resume or my cover letter. A lot of HR people don't know what VBA is, or see how it could fit into a non-IT department. Also, they think process improvement is parsley--you do it as a garnish.How can I present my current skill set in a way that resonates that companies who are not looking specifically for those skills, so they don't see VBA and toss my resume?

2. I don't really believe desktop-driven computing of the Excel variety has a future beyond the next five to ten years. I think Excel will gradually be replaced by web-based applications, and that Microsoft isn't agile enough to be part of it. I think data manipulation technologies will get more user friendly, and there will be less need for report manipulation after the reports have been generated, which is a significant amount of what I automate for people now.

3. Given the above, should I be throwing myself at .Net in my off hours? How can I create a context for that that doesn't feel like homework? (I'm reasonably comfortable with web concepts, have taken a spin in PhP/MySQL, a little HTML, used Wordpress...and CSS stuff appeals to me because I like it's 'place for everything, everything in its place' value system. I've used some scripting elements with the lightest of touches and while I'm not fluent, having devoted very little time to it, I'm not afraid of it and think I'd be good at web-specific stuff. Also: tell me about .Net--what does it do best?

I'm interested in cold, hard business advice ('you need to start managing people if you want to advance') and what skills I should be looking at developing so I don't become totally irrelevant.

To be clear: I like the work and I'm good at it (when it's really going good, I can work on the same technical or interface question or problem for hours and hours, completely happily. I find it very engaging.) but it isn't the meaning of my life--I'd prefer to make more money at it then less, because I'm going to be doing it regardless.

Throwaway email: askmevba@gmail.com

I am so sorry this got so long.

Go back for more school or take a meh first job?

sleazy_e — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:07:09 -0800

Recent Graduate: Work towards 2nd Bachelors, Masters, or take a lower paying position I hope will lead to the job I want? I'm from Texas and and a May grad with a BS in Econ (minors in math and writing) from a known State U. Currently I've been searching for job opportunities in fields Junior Financial Analysis or Market Research Analysis, Data Analytics (or really any kind of analysis that requires lots of math, data mining, and forecasting), but these jobs are very hard to find for my (entry? - I've worked every year since high school, but maybe not in relevant jobs) level in Texas (right now, everyone wants senior/experienced applicants) and I am frustrated by the impossibility to get an interview with my ~2.75 GPA (or for reasons companies refuse to inform me of). I am aware that grades are vital to get into the door of these positions.

I believe I am 2 semesters (30 hours) shy of a BS in Applied Mathematics (Finance track) and I can try to raise my grades above a 3.0, but I have already spent 5 years in school and racked up some debt. Now, I was once an Applied Math major before becoming Econ, but I switched due to pressure from paying for school on my own, dealing with an abusive relationship (that ended after the degree change), and constant insane familial problems/drama (think Arrested Development). I want to say that now those distractions could dissipate (except for paying for school on my own), but any future incidents are probable. Let's just say, I'm eager to pursue/finish the degree, but I'm afraid that I fall back into the depression/fear of not successfully getting the high marks needed to make this elusive degree worth while.

Another option is to start an online MS Finance or MS Math/Stat degree from an accredited (not UPhoenix), but not well known University that would take about 2 years to finish while working/searching for employment. I've been told that Bachelors are more available today, so getting a Masters is becoming more necessary to differentiate yourself from the competition.

I've read on MeFi that people recommend taking the CFA Level 1 to differentiate themselves, but I doubt it would help for the jobs outside of Financial Analysis (Data Analytics and Market Research).

Another factor in my decision: I've been offered a position as a cost analyst at a small firm. It sounds okay, but my responsibilities aren't more than data entry (at least at first) and product updating, the salary isn't as reasonable to live on, and it requires 100 miles of round trip commuting from living with my family (moving out makes the job even less economical). The job is well, a job, I suppose and it offers me the ability to pocket a little bit of money after paying all my debts.

My question is given the current state of our US economy, call it a recession or a fearful voting year with tons of graduates and less amount of entry jobs, would it be best to A) try and finish my math degree, B) enter an MS Finance degree, or C) take a left-field-ish job and try to work my way into my desired job?

Life in the shoes of a business analyst

gttommy — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:29:11 -0800

What is life as a Business Analyst in the IT industry like? I would like to progress into more broader roles from programming and I understand BA is a natural stepping stone towards project management or something of similar scope. But I have only bits of vague knowledge from a variety of sources, such as job ads, study, and friends, and I am curious to know what I would actually be getting myself into.

What sort of work do BAs do, specifically? Is it generally an 'easy' role? In a large vs a small company? What are the pros and cons when compared to programming and project management or consulting? Etc...

Looking forward to your insight.

Aspiring Business Analyst

jasondigitized — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 07:24:00 -0800

Help me become a great business analyst. I am slowly taking on more responsibilities as a business analyst and I am completely winging it. Does anyone out there gather requirements and do business modeling? Is that what a business analyst really does? I would like to here more about what makes a good business analyst. Can anyone recommend some good books, websites, techniques, and tools for jedi BA's? Should I learn more about UML? Interviewing techniques? Sharpen my general business understanding? Buy a fancy Monte Blanc pen? Is this job more about relationships than technology? Real life anecdotes appreciated.

Policy Analyst getting low-balled?

divka — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 16:13:16 -0800

What salary should a policy analyst working for a non-profit research institute in D.C. expect? The details: applicant has a Master's of Public Administration and four years experience working for state government as a policy analyst. He has to relocate to the D.C. area from a considerably cheaper area of the country where he is making $43,000 +30% fringe.

The employer is a non-profit research institute, sort of like the Kaiser Foundation or Urban Institute.

Just looking for some guidelines for my boyfriend to start salary negotiations as we can't any similar positions online with a salary range posted (ditto for salary.com--there wasn't anything too similar). We'd appreciate knowing what he should consider insultingly low and how high he can suggest without insulting them!

What does it take to become a financial analyst from a non-finance background?

dy — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 08:38:47 -0800

I'm currently in a career dilemma, debating myselfe whether I should continue doing what I do as a data analyst (in sales analytics) or start a new career as a financial analyst (FA) after taking some necessary classes or training. One of my motivations is that FA gets paid more than data analyst, very easily, and FA deals with cross-department data and plays a much bigger, visible role in terms of decision advising and/or making. I did very well in accounting, finance, and economics when I was in the business school and still have clear understanding of the concepts. However, I don't have experience or proper training in financial analysis. Will an online course like this one financial analysis gear me up in a short time? If not, whatelse shall I do to get myself ready besides taking classes from a university? My other question is: How likely will companies hire someone like me with strong background in data analysis but none from financial perspective? If you have any experience, thought or input, please share it with me. Thank you so much.

What's the next logical career choice for a senior analyst?

DCTapeworm — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 08:03:23 -0800

What's the next logical career choice for a senior analyst? I've been a Senior Analyst (Business and Process) for about four years now, and can't seem to break a 'glass ceiling' in terms of pay rate or promotion beyond the Senior Analyst title.

Worse, I can't seem to find a new career path related to being a Senior Analyst that would supplement career advancement.

I have have 2 MBA's from accredited universities in Texas (information systems, social work), and I have a dirth of experience as a program manager and as an analyst with Cingular and Microsoft. I also have a ton of knowledge about methodologies (RUP, SDL, etc.) and have applied them with numerous projects.

Should I get involved with some networking? Where can I got to get some inspiration or ideas? I really need some help or advice if anyone has the time.

Thanks in advance. :)

TN VISA Approval

blue_beetle — Tue, 04 Oct 2005 09:37:31 -0800

Turned down for a TN VISA? I applied for a TN VISA at the US Border (coming from Canada) under the "Computer Systems Analyst" category and was refused because the job offer I had received was for a "Software Developer" not specifically for a "Systems Analyst". I had indicated that the job fell under the Computer Systems Analyst category, but the immigration officer indicated that while he didn't know anything about computers, it seems like a developer is more a of programmer (which isn't covered under the NAFTA agreement) and so he couldn't give me the VISA. He asked if I would be programming, which I replied there was a programming component (upto 30% of the time I said). Anyways, he took a copy of the job offer letter, and put a note on my "file" that I had been refused. He told me not to try to just change the job title on the offer because they would check against their copy, and that he had indicated on my file that any further entry visa requests would have to come through that "port-of-entry", and that I would be better off trying for an "H"class visa. Anyways, my potential employer and I both agree that the position they offered me is equivalent to a Systems Analyst position, even if the job title is Software Developer. My employer recommended finding the definitions for the Computer Systems Analyst category and trying to convince the immigration people. Do you have any suggestions?

(note: applying for an H1B visa is a last resort, because of the time involved, and the fact that I have an associates degree, not a bachelors)

(note #2: This is a follow up to this question.

What's a good career move for a senior analyst with a social work background?

DCTapeworm — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 22:16:13 -0800

What's a good career move for a senior analyst with a social work background? Also, is there a nationwide organization for senior process and business analysts? My wife is a senior process analyst for a large software company. She's looking to make a career move that draws upon her skills as an analyst, her social work background, and her masters degrees. She's hoping to take the next logical step as a Senior Process Analyst, but she doesn't know to what.

Are there any national or local organizations that involve analysts of all kinds (or just the business and process kind) that she can tap? BTW, we live in the greater Seattle area.

Thanks in advance for any advice given. :)