Don’t think like this. You are an expert at quantum computing. 99% of the population doesn’t know what quantum computing IS. You are probably 3-4 sigmas above the mean, which basically qualifies you to do anything. If you don’t think of yourself as particularly smart, it is probably just because you are in contact with people who are 5-6 sigmas above the mean.
This definitely needs to be stressed. I went through the same path as the OP: got my PhD in Theoretical Physics, then moved to quantitative finance. I definitely wasn’t stunningly above average in my old filed, but now, modesty aside, I am significantly smarter than the people I do consulting work for. And still, quantitative finance attracts people who in general are above the average population. There is probably a bit of availability/selection bias going on here, so be careful to correct for it.
Now, to the OP. As for the original question, its quite possible that in the quant field you could already be hired without having specific financial kowledge. People have learned to know that former physicists are of high value, and are willing to invest some time teach you what you need to know. I honestly wouldn’t suggest that you spend time into building some specific knowledge, as it may very well be unnecessary. If you have some spare time, you might want to learn some advanced statistics, even though simpling refreshing what you learned in college should be sufficient.
If you want some more specific advice, feel free to pm me. You say you aren’t American, if you are Eurpean and would like to find a job here, I might be of some help.
This is qualitatively a good point, but quantitatively you should be careful. There are only ~7 people in the world who are 6 sigmas above the mean (using a normal distribution).
Knock one or two points off each interval, and the point stands. But in any case the IQ distribution is likely slightly thick-tailed; it’s only Gaussian out to say 140 or so.
Don’t think like this. You are an expert at quantum computing. 99% of the population doesn’t know what quantum computing IS. You are probably 3-4 sigmas above the mean, which basically qualifies you to do anything. If you don’t think of yourself as particularly smart, it is probably just because you are in contact with people who are 5-6 sigmas above the mean.
This definitely needs to be stressed. I went through the same path as the OP: got my PhD in Theoretical Physics, then moved to quantitative finance. I definitely wasn’t stunningly above average in my old filed, but now, modesty aside, I am significantly smarter than the people I do consulting work for. And still, quantitative finance attracts people who in general are above the average population. There is probably a bit of availability/selection bias going on here, so be careful to correct for it.
Now, to the OP. As for the original question, its quite possible that in the quant field you could already be hired without having specific financial kowledge. People have learned to know that former physicists are of high value, and are willing to invest some time teach you what you need to know. I honestly wouldn’t suggest that you spend time into building some specific knowledge, as it may very well be unnecessary. If you have some spare time, you might want to learn some advanced statistics, even though simpling refreshing what you learned in college should be sufficient.
If you want some more specific advice, feel free to pm me. You say you aren’t American, if you are Eurpean and would like to find a job here, I might be of some help.
This is qualitatively a good point, but quantitatively you should be careful. There are only ~7 people in the world who are 6 sigmas above the mean (using a normal distribution).
Knock one or two points off each interval, and the point stands. But in any case the IQ distribution is likely slightly thick-tailed; it’s only Gaussian out to say 140 or so.
Also, humility is an academic social norm, esp. for jr. people (even v. smart). Probably a good one on net, imo.
Probably shouldn’t say someone “probably” has an IQ between 145 and 160 unless you have pretty good evidence.
Well, according to this popular science article, the average physics Ph.D. has an I.Q. of 143+.