Career Development Workshop Series
We will be holding five different kinds of career development workshops throughout the summer for admitted MAFN students. Please note: attending the Career Development for MAFN Students workshop is a prerequisite to meeting with a career advisor over the summer, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Join us for an engaging workshop where we will discuss the essential job-searching elements that are crucial for securing employment within the finance industry. Throughout the session, we will cover a wide range of topics including resume and cover letter crafting, optimizing your LinkedIn profile, decoding job descriptions, navigating Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and exploring the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment processes. We will also discuss the significance of networking, and post-interview follow-ups and provide guidance on applying, interviewing as well as accepting or declining job offers. Prepare to gain insights and practical tips that will help you understand what it takes to land an internship or a job in the finance industry.
Attend on one of the following dates:
Monday, June 17 at 10 AM ET
Wednesday, June 26 at 1 PM ET
Tuesday, July 9 at 3 PM ET
Tuesday, July 30 at 6 AM ET
Friday, August 23 at 9 AM ET
* This session a prerequisite to meeting with a career advisor over the summer
During this workshop we will be discussing the art of creating impactful resumes and cover letters. We will explore the essential elements that contribute to the success of these documents, offering practical guidelines. We request that participants bring a job description for a desired position they aspire to pursue in the future.
Attend on one of the following dates:
Wednesday, June 19 at 11 a.m. ET
Thursday, July 18 at 8 p.m. ET
Monday, August 19 at 2 p.m. ET
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.
Attend on one of the following dates:
Thursday, June 20 at 10 AM ET
Wednesday, July 10 at 10 AM ET
Tuesday, August 20 at 10 AM ET
Join us for an interactive workshop where we will explore different elements of the interview process. In this session, we will discuss various types of interviews and share best practices to help you effectively prepare for each. Through engaging exercises, we will practice responding to common interview questions, including the crucial “tell me about yourself” prompt. Additionally, we will provide guidance on post-interview strategies to increase your chances of securing the job. Prepare to gain valuable insights and develop the necessary skills to confidently navigate the interview process and leave a lasting impression on potential employers.
Tuesday, August 13 at 2 p.m. ET
During this workshop we will talk about the importance of networking, providing practical guidance on how to connect with the right individuals and effectively engage them. Throughout the session, we will explore the purpose behind networking, share strategies for identifying the appropriate contacts, and discuss techniques to elicit responses to your messages. As part of this interactive workshop, we kindly request that students prepare a list of companies they aspire to work for. This exercise will enable us to demonstrate how to locate and establish connections with the relevant contacts within those organizations.
Attend on one of the following dates:
Monday, July 15 at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, August 14 at 12 p.m. ET
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 13th – August 18th
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 9, 2024, to August 16, 2024
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
Throughout the summer, we will offer our new students 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.
MAFN New Student Orientation
Procedural orientations for the incoming students as well as in-person faculty & students meet and greet followed by class presentations and a networking reception.
Attend one of the following dates:
Thursday, July 11 at 9 a.m. ET
Tuesday, August 13 at 11 am. ET
Thursday, August 29, 2024 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.