Seeking Guidance to Transition from SRE to Quant Developer/HFT

Hey Reddit!

Let me introduce myself: I’m a 2024 B.Tech (IT) graduate from a state-level college in India. Currently, I’m working as an SRE (Site Reliability Engineer) at one of the world’s largest custodian banks (not naming the company). I’ve been with the organization for about a year now, combining my internship and full-time role.

During this time, I’ve developed a strong foundation in AI/ML and have primarily been working on projects to automate BAU (Business-As-Usual) activities using these technologies.

Outside of work, I have a deep interest in trading and stock markets—something that runs in the family, as my father has been trading for over 40 years. My ultimate goal is to transition into the field of quantitative development or high-frequency trading (HFT) and work for top-tier firms like HRT, Optiver, or Tower Research.

To make this dream a reality, I’ve started preparing in the following ways:

• Learning the basics of stock markets and financial instruments.
• Studying statistics and experimenting with different algorithms to analyze stocks (mainly on a fundamental level for now).
• Getting back to practicing DSA (Data Structures and Algorithms). I’ll admit I’m rusty here since I haven’t been consistent with it for a while.

I’m aware that transitioning from SRE to Quant Developer/HFT is ambitious and might seem like a pipe dream, but it’s a challenge I’m willing to take on.

I’d love to hear from people in the quant field or those who’ve made similar career transitions. What should I focus on? Any recommended resources, books, or courses? Are there any specific skill sets or certifications that could make me stand out?

Any guidance, advice, or encouragement would mean a lot. Thank you!