Becoming a quant trader: Jason’s career journey

Now a quant trader in our Chicago office, Jason reflects on how each step helped build the foundation for everything that followed.

Finding your path: Interning at a trading firm

In Part 1, we rewind to the academic year before Jason’s first internship, when a suggestion from a mentor introduced him to trading for the first time.

Looking back to the year before your first internship, what were you hoping to find in a company?

Heading into my internship search, I was looking for a place where I could constantly learn and be challenged. I wasn’t sure what working at a bigger firm would look like, but I knew I wanted to make an impact early on. At a lot of companies, interns have little ownership over their projects and their work may not ever go into production—I was determined to avoid that. I wanted to be part of a company where my contributions mattered and where I was surrounded by smart, driven people who challenged me at work but could also explore the city of Chicago with me!

Did you always know you wanted to get into trading?

Definitely not! When I first started applying to internships, I knew nothing about trading and was initially focused on software roles. It wasn’t until a mentor in my business fraternity introduced me to the industry that I started learning more. I found the interview games that trading firms use really fun and engaging, which made me think this path could be a good fit. Once I got to Optiver, it was exactly what I was hoping for. The fast-paced environment and the challenge of solving tough problems made trading feel more like a game than a job.

What attracted you to intern with us?

What drew me to Optiver was the emphasis on giving interns actual responsibility. Throughout the interview process, the firm stood out for giving people autonomy over what they work on. I’m the type of person that loves a fast-paced environment with constant innovation and Optiver really fosters that. I also really appreciated the mentorship program, which partners interns with junior traders to learn more about their career growth and the exciting projects they work on.

In Part 2, Jason reflects on his first internship at Optiver, where his computer science classes and textbook knowledge begin to connect with real-world decision-making on the trading floor.