🗓️ VIEW FULL SUMMER PROGRAM CALENDAR (access with LionMail)

Career Development Workshop Series

We will be holding five different kinds of career development workshops throughout the summer for admitted MAFN students.

In this workshop, you will get an overview of what career development looks like as an MAFN student. We will go over the recruiting timeline, what materials you need, what resources you have access to, job strategies

Attend one of the following dates:

Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 10 am EST

Monday, June 30, 2025 10 am EST

Thursday, July 17, 2025 10 am EST

Monday, July 28, 2025 10 am EST

This workshop will go over how to write impactful resumes and cover letters. We will explore the essential elements that contribute to the success of these documents, offering practical guidelines.

Attend one of the following dates:

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 10 am EST

Thursday, June 26, 2025 10 am EST

Monday, July 7, 2025 10 am EST

LinkedIn is the largest professional social media platform where you can build your brand, expand your network, find jobs, and research companies. Recruiters will most likely look you up on LinkedIn after you apply to an open position. At this workshop, you will learn how to use LinkedIn as a tool to attract recruiters and network with other industry professionals.

Monday, June 23, 2025 10 am EST

Thursday, July 10, 2025 10 am EST

Thursday, July 24, 2025 10 am EST

This workshop will explore different elements of the interview process. In this session, we will discuss various types of interviews and questions, and share best practices to help you effectively prepare for each. You will also learn post-interview strategies to increase your chances of securing the job.

Monday, July 14, 2025 10 am EST

Monday, August 4, 2025 10 am EST

During this workshop we will talk about the importance of networking and mentorship, providing practical guidance on how to connect with the right individuals and effectively engage them. We will explore the purpose behind networking, share strategies for identifying the appropriate contacts, and discuss techniques to elicit responses to your messages.

Monday, July 21, 2025 10 am EST

Thursday, July 31, 2025 10 am EST

Python Boot Camp

In this 6-week bootcamp, the students will review the foundational knowledge and practical computing skills necessary for solving complex problems. The topics will include fundamental data structures and efficient algorithms commonly utilized in computer science. Tailored as a technical primer for incoming MAFN students, the bootcamp facilitates the study and implementation of quantitative models and algorithms as instructed in the MAFN curriculum, particularly benefiting those lacking a robust computer science background.

Each session covers both theoretical instruction and hands-on learning experiences. Students will engage in coding exercises designed to reinforce their understanding of key concepts, with a focus on implementing data structures and algorithms. Python serves as the primary programming language for these exercises, aligning with industry standards and enhancing practical application skills.

July 12th – August 17th, 2025

Saturdays and Sundays 9 am – 11 am EST

Price:

$750 – Price of one 6-week bootcamp
$700 – Price of one 6-week bootcamp if purchasing both

*Registration links to the workshops will be shared with incoming students in May and June.

Ka Yi Ng is a senior Quantitative Analyst at Nasdaq's Financial Technology division, specializing in quantitative finance area. With over two decades of research and development experience in the financial software industry, her primary interests encompass derivatives pricing and machine learning. Previously, she held various senior quant positions at Adenza, Calypso, ION and Wall Street Systems.

Ng is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics. She currently teaches programming courses offered by the MAFN and MA Statistics programs. She completed her Ph.D. in Mathematics at Columbia University.

Basic programming concepts in Python
Data structures: arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, hash tables, trees, graphs
Algorithms: recursion, sorting, searching, dynamic programming

Technical Interview Prep Boot Camp

The 6-week bootcamp is designed to prepare incoming MAFN students for technical interviews, concentrating on mathematics, financial instruments, and advanced topics in quant finance. The program is structured to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in interviews and their subsequent careers.

The bootcamp features two lectures per week. The first lecture, known as the foundation lecture, takes place on Tuesdays and lays the groundwork by teaching and reviewing the necessary knowledge base. This prepares students for the second lecture of the week, which focuses on solving actual interview problems. Held on Fridays, these sessions concentrate on applying the foundational concepts learned earlier in the week to solve real-world scenarios. This dual-lecture structure is designed to ensure that students not only grasp the theoretical aspects but also know how to adeptly apply this knowledge in practical, real-world scenarios.

July 8, 2025, to August 15, 2025

Tuesdays 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET: Theory & Foundation Lecture

Fridays 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET: Practical Interview Questions

Price:

$750 – Price of one 6-week bootcamp
$700 – Price of one 6-week bootcamp if purchasing both

*Registration links for the workshops will be sent to incoming students in May and June.

Arez Mardoukhi, is a Columbia University alumnus with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics (summa cum laude) and a Master of Science in Financial Engineering and Operations Research. Mardoukhi is the founder of Mardoukhi Capital Management, LP, investment firm leveraging cutting-edge AI in optimizing investment strategies.

Mathematics: Calculus, Differential Equations, Covariance Matrix, Correlation Matrix, Linear Algebra

Financial Instruments: Options, Bonds, Swaps, Forwards, Futures

Advanced Topics: Monte Carlo Simulations, Numerical Methods, Probability, Stochastic Calculus

Critical Thinking: Brainteasers

The curriculum covers essential areas important for understanding and succeeding in the quantitative finance technical interviews.

Virtual MAFN Alumni Panels

You will get multiple opportunities to engage with the MAFN alumni who will share their stories as well as tips on preparing for the program, internship search and more.

Friday, June 27, 2025 10 am EST

More dates TBD

MAFN New Student Orientation

We will have a virtual orientation about class registration and what to expect in the program, as well as an in-person faculty meet & greet.

Attend one of the following dates:

Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 10 am EST

Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 10 am EST

Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Location: Columbia University

The faculty of the MAFN Program will deliver presentations, offering insights into their respective areas of expertise. Following these presentations, a networking reception will take place, providing an opportunity for students to connect with professors and fellow students.