Can I pursue Algo Trading working in a specialized field like the oil industry without a programming background?
Of course you can!
Melvin Soon, from Singapore, is a chemical engineer with over 5 years of experience as a chemical engineer in an oil and gas MNC. With a lot of hard work, dedication and a voracious passion for learning, Melvin embarked on a journey aimed at building a career in this field of algorithmic trading.
This is his story.
![Melvin Soon's photo](https://d1rwhvwstyk9gu.cloudfront.net/2023/03/melvin-soon-pic.png)
my name is Melvin SoonI am a chemical engineer in an oil and gas MNC.
Although I had a chemical engineering education, I was always interested in trading the financial markets and was interested in algorithmic trading. In my current professional competence as an engineer, I refer to various charts and graphs to plot and analyze information to extract insights.
There is a lot of data that can help you make good decisions. Traders have always been impressed with how data and algorithms can be leveraged to make decisions based on logic and facts. I was.
At first I had no knowledge of Python or coding. I knew algorithmic trading and coding briefly, but I started looking for courses to get the right knowledge from the right place. That’s when I came across QuantInsti and signed up for EPAT.
challenged myself to excel Python for tradingand to do that, I followed a series of strategies that helped me learn this new language.
rewrite the code
First, after class, I made myself write all the code covered in the lecture. I kept practicing and rewriting, understanding different functions of different codes.
We also used the Python notebook software introduced during programming. Record a session in Python and code on your laptop or iPad.
Apply Active Recall Techniques
I needed a dedicated technique to fix my notes and code. This is when using this technique called active recall. This technique trains the brain to keep retrieving information as soon as it learns a concept, doing its best to recall it from memory.
It helps you engage with information more actively and consolidate information for long-term memory. While traveling, I use my time to type every code I can remember into my laptop and compare my notes with the actual code.
“Help” function
The Python notebook section has a “Help” feature. I definitely learned how to use that function to my advantage to get more code from different libraries. Once I understood the purpose of the code, I focused on understanding the questions better and memorizing them.
apply what you learn
I use practical applications of the codes during my lectures and write them down for the instruments I trade. .
I apply it to my daily life in the stock market and the charts I see. I observed how much I learned from the course and how efficiently I could analyze data.
We used real-life examples of our interest and applied what we learned and the concepts introduced from the course. And at the end of the course I am very comfortable with coding and not afraid of it anymore.After the course I am still very interested in Python.
I devoted myself to studying one day a week. I made sure I learned the key concepts in the lectures to get the most out of my learning.
Candid Feedback on EPAT
Placement and Alumni Team
A feature of EPAT that I really like is the numerous partnerships and placement opportunities. The placement team will help you prepare for interviews and prepare your resume to get a job in the quantitative and algorithmic trading industry.
The alumni support and the opportunity to interact with the global EPAT alumni community of like-minded people and practitioners after completing EPAT is great.
We also took advantage of the IBF sponsorship, which was also a great financial support. I had the opportunity to connect with industry experts who share their knowledge on various aspects.
faculty and support
Many thanks to the EPAT faculty and support team. I consolidated all the information from the lectures, wrote down my questions, and mailed them to the EPAT support team. They connected me with industry experts, faculty themselves, and answered all my questions.
My mentor and supervisor during the EPAT course were very helpful and supportive. Finally, he had an engineering background, so I would like to thank my friends who helped me with the course whenever I felt stuck.
My family has allowed me to pursue my passions and travel. I appreciate it very much. The whole family celebrated when we received our EPAT Certificate of Excellence.
A message to all aspiring algo traders.
First, don’t give up if you feel inadequate or unsure if you can do the right thing. Second, it’s important to connect with someone who knows the industry and can guide you through your journey.
Be fearless and always happy to learn from a mentor who challenges you. This way you can learn more. And then one day you will be very good at it. Keep learning to keep improving yourself and don’t assume you already know everything.
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful insight into your experience and learning process. I wish you all the best and continue to develop your skills and knowledge base. Thank you for your continued support.
You, too, will acquire lifelong skills that will always help you upgrade your trading strategy and provide hands-on experience.Topics such as Statistics and Econometrics, Financial Computing and Technology, and Machine Learning cover this Algorithmic trading course We ensure that you have mastered all the skills necessary to excel in the world of trading. Register for EPAT now!
Disclaimer: To assist individuals considering pursuing a career in algorithmic and quantitative trading, this success story has been compiled based on the personal experiences of students or graduates of QuantInsti’s EPAT program. increase. Success Stories are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be used for investment purposes. The results achieved after completing the EPAT program may not be uniform for all individuals.