Most people preparing for a quant career look at the same handful of options. Practice sites like QuantGuide, bootcamps like The Wall Street Quants and QuantBlueprint, the CQF, or a master's program. Each one gives you material to work through. What most candidates are missing isn't more material. It's a plan built for their own background, targets and timeline. That's what QuantMinds coaching is built to give you, led by Fiona Taft, former Executive Director of the Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program at UC Berkeley and former Associate Director at Stanford University.
What the usual options give you
- Practice sites give you banks of interview problems to work through.
- Bootcamps give you a set curriculum, a question bank and a community.
- The CQF is a part-time professional qualification in quantitative finance methods.
- A master's program is a full degree with coursework, internships and campus recruiting.
What they leave to you
The hardest decisions in quant recruiting come before any of that material. Which role fits you, quant research, trading or development. Which firms to target, and whether the buy side or the sell side suits your background. Whether you need a master's at all, and if you do, which programs fit and when to apply. How to present a background that doesn't look like a typical quant's. When to start recruiting, because for many internships it's 12 to 18 months before the start date. Get those wrong and the practice never gets a chance to pay off.
What QuantMinds gives you
- A plan for your situation. Your coach starts with your background and goals, then helps you choose the roles, firms and timeline that fit.
- Master's application support. Program selection, rounds and deadlines, statements of purpose, recommenders and admissions interviews for MFE, MFin, MSCF and similar programs.
- A resume and story that read clearly. Resumes and LinkedIn profiles built for quant recruiters, and a clear way to explain where you're coming from.
- Behavioral interview preparation so your answers land with the people deciding.
- A recruiting plan you run yourself. A calendar, a target list and a networking approach, including how to reach alumni and when to apply.
- Experience at the head of the practice. Fiona Taft has coached more than 500 people, and her years running a top MFE program gave her a close view of how elite quant firms recruit. Your coach brings that knowledge to your file.
What our clients say
I first started working with QuantMinds coaches during my time at UC Berkeley and have continued ever since. Their thoughtful coaching and practical advice helped me navigate important choices about further education and plan the best steps to achieve my long-term goals in quantitative finance. The coaches bring a rare combination of deep industry knowledge, strategic insight, and a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed in this highly competitive space.
Daniel A., AlphaSimplex and Cubist
How to start
- Request a free Discovery Session. Tell us your goal and share your resume on the request page.
- We read every request. Fiona's team replies within two business days to set up your session.
- Get a straight read on your plan. A QuantMinds coach looks at where you are, where you want to go and what it would take to get there.
Frequently asked questions
Should I do a bootcamp, the CQF or a master's?
It depends on your background, your target roles and your timeline, and the right answer is different for a career switcher, a senior applying for internships and a PhD moving into research. That's the question a Discovery Session is built to answer.
Is QuantMinds a bootcamp?
No. QuantMinds is one-to-one coaching, built around your background, your targets and where you are in recruiting or applications.
Does QuantMinds help with master's applications?
Yes. We help with program selection, application timing, statements of purpose, recommenders and admissions interviews.
Who leads QuantMinds coaching?
Fiona Taft, former Executive Director of the Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program at UC Berkeley and former Associate Director at Stanford University. Every Discovery Session is delivered by a QuantMinds coach.
Start with a free Discovery Session
Before you spend months on material, get a plan that fits you. Request a free Discovery Session, or join one of our free webinars first.
QuantGuide, The Wall Street Quants, QuantBlueprint and CQF are trademarks of their owners. QuantMinds isn't affiliated with any of them.