Do I need a PhD in a quantitative field to get a job in algorithmic trading?

[MarkBrown]

Nice one but big difference between the 70s/80s and 2017, that rarely happens these days due to the job market being so competitive with an oversupply of high-quality candidates that have either Masters or PhD level degrees and programming skills. Today, 99% of people have to follow standard process (i.e. go to uni, learn programming, get their foot in the door or apply for a graduate position) to have any chance at all. If you don't have the degree you usually have to go the do-it-yourself or startup path to fastrack your career.

I wholeheartedly agree with your statement. It is a fact today everyone is a programmer, in my day I was one of a handful. Also happen to be desperate to get out of construction and was unlike the other programmers I knew who already had positions at firms.

However this obsession today with every qualification except the one that counts is ludicrous. Many managers are seeking applicants with qualifications themselves have not.

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