Trader Spotlight

We asked Jack, one of our full-time electronic traders, to share some of his thoughts with us. Jack holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, a master’s degree in finance from Syracuse University, and a master’s degree in operations research from Columbia University.

What makes you a good trader?

Basically, I tolerate risk well. In terms of math, I am willing to bear variance, as long as there is positive expected value. Also, I have always been passionate about quantitative finance and thus have invested time into sharpening my technical skills throughout my education.

What do you wish you had known when you started?

There are plenty of things I wish I had known at the start of my career. Quantitative finance can be a fiercely competitive field to break into, especially in China, where it is still relatively new. So you must position yourself wisely and choose a team where you can grow.

What is the best part of working at Midas Technologies?

There are so many great things about working at Midas. The best is the opportunity to work with a group of wildly intelligent people. Everyone here is not only smart and knowledgeable, but also very kind and humble – you can literally always ask anyone for advice.

What advice do you have for people interested in pursuing a career in trading?

If you think trading is all about “making a ton of money in the blink of an eye”, then I have a bridge to sell you. Trading is not as sexy as people think. The secret to success is going long-term greedy – doing the right thing consistently, keeping your word, and doing your homework.