February 1, 2021

In December, students in NYU Shanghai & NYU Stern’s Joint Master’s of Science in Quantitative Finance (MSQF) and Master’s of Science in Data Analytics & Business Computing (MSDABC) wrapped up an eventful fall semester at NYU Shanghai. In addition to rigorous coursework, students were engaged with career recruiting workshops and coaching appointments, industry informational events, and a multitude of guest speakers.

MS Programs Students at the Orientation

MS Programs Students at the CDC Workshop

Coursework

Students completed 19.5 credits at NYU Shanghai between August and December. Courses are scheduled in an intensive format, so students take 1-2 courses for a few weeks at a time.

MS Programs Students in Class

MSQF courses included Statistics & Data Analysis (joint with MSDABC), Foundations of Finance, Corporate Finance, Chinese Financial Markets, Volatility Modeling and Advanced Portfolio Management.

MS Programs Student Presenting in Class

MSDABC courses included Statistics & Data Analysis (joint with MSQF), Machine Learning for Business, Dealing with Data & Intro to Python Programming, Advanced Topics in Machine Learning, Network Analytics, and Marketing Analytics.

MS Program Students Discussing after Class

MS Program Students Meeting after Class

Students in both programs also began their Capstone projects. Students are assigned groups based on their academic and professional backgrounds and interests, and then paired with a corporate client to work through a real-life business problem. Supported by NYU faculty, students will continue the projects throughout the spring semester. 

MS Program Students in Capstone Project

For more details on the courses and curriculum, visit this page.

Guest Speakers

As part of the program’s focus on exposing students to diverse companies, industries, and careers, students had the opportunity to hear from multiple guest speakers. Though students were not able to visit companies in person this semester due to Covid-19 related restrictions, they still learned about a variety of positions, companies, and industries thanks to the guest speakers who shared their expertise and guidance with students on campus and via Zoom. 

MS Programs Students Chatting with Guest Speaker

In August, eight MSQF and MSDABC Class of 2020 alumni returned to campus for an interactive panel discussion with current students. The alumni shared stories about their favorite courses and faculty, their experience working with the Career Development Center (CDC) to land a great internship and job, and insight on their current roles as post-Master’s professionals. 

MS Programs Students at the Alumni Panel

MS Programs Students Chatting with Alumni

In September, Mr. Yulin (Frank) Yao, esteemed NYU Stern alumnus and currently Managing Partner and Senior Portfolio Manager at Green Court Capital Management, an investment management firm focused on Greater China’s public markets, visited NYU Shanghai. He shared details about his background, expertise, and advice on how to pursue a career in the investment industry. Two members from Mr. Yao’s team also provided career-related suggestions, including professional skills development, job application techniques, and general career advice.

In-class guest speakers included individuals ranging in positions from CEO, CFO, CTO, Chief Economist, Director, Head of Global Markets, and Managing Partner from companies such as Accenture, Bloomberg, BNP Paribas China Ltd, China Financial Futures Exchange, Danone, Earnd, Jade Stone Investment Management, Maersk Shanghai, MioTech, Rootcloud Technology Co, Shanghai Nine Martingale Investment Management, Shanghai Stock Exchange, Temasek, and Wells Fargo.

Career Development

The fall semester included a myriad of career development opportunities designed to set students up for success as they launched their recruiting efforts. Workshops and one-on-one career coaching appointments with our dedicated career coaches provided students with the opportunity to explore different careers, hone their job search strategy, practice interviewing skills through mock interviews, and review their cover letters and resumes, which were compiled into a book and distributed to prospective employers. In addition to the plethora of job listings available on NYU’s Handshake platform, on-campus and virtual recruitment sessions, career panels, and a career fair allowed students to network with industry experts and gain a deeper understanding of Chinese and greater Asian industries. Together, these events and opportunities have already yielded interviews, internships, and full time job offers for many of our students -- and more to come in the spring semester!

Looking Ahead

Following a two-week break in mid December, students return to the classroom in early January to start their first virtual course with Stern faculty: Futures & Options, taught by Professor Menachem Brenner, for MSQF, and Optimization Modeling with Professor (and MSDABC Academic Director) Jiawei Zhang for MSDABC. The spring semester, just like the fall, will be a busy mix of coursework, career development, guest speakers, and experiential learning both in and outside of the virtual classroom.