Should You Become a Quant? Ex-Jane Street Trader Answers

Should I become a quant trader? Former Jane Street quant and author Agustin Lebron shares who actually thrives in the high-pressure world of quant trading—and who probably shouldn’t work at a hedge fund.

Wondered what it’s like to intern at Jane Street? Agustin explains how to think about your quant trading career path, how to evaluate if quant trading is right for you, and why motivation matters when applying to large firms like Citadel and Millennium, or to high-frequency trading shops like Jane Street, Hudson River Trading, and Optiver.

He also covers:
– Why most people apply to quant firms for status or high-paying jobs in finance
– What students misunderstand about how to become a quant
– Should I work at a hedge fund?
– Quant trading internship tips from someone who led Jane Street’s intern program
– Jane Street internship advice: how to stand out from day one
– Why asking questions is your biggest edge as an intern
– What to expect in a hedge fund internship 2025
– How to get hired at Jane Street—and what they’re really looking for
– What it’s like to work at Jane Street long-term
– How to weigh trading vs software engineering as a path for STEM students
– Realistic career advice for STEM students considering finance or tech

He also gives general advice on trading, STEM careers, or how to build a meaningful edge in finance.

00:00 Should you become a quant trader?
01:53 How to find "edge" in your career path
03:03 How to stand out in a quant internship
04:00 Is trading the right career for you?
05:29 What makes a great intern at Jane Street?