Shupeng Guan
BSc Mathematics, 2023
Mathematics in Finance Student, NYU Courant
I am currently an enrolled student in Mathematics in Finance at Courant in New York, where I am looking for a career in the quantitative finance industry. A typical day within the program involves learning advanced topics in Mathematics, Finance and Data Science, networking with industry practitioners, and preparing myself for potential job interviews.
What is the best thing about what you are doing now?
New York City is an amazing city to live in. There are plenty of opportunities, resources and amazing people in my surroundings. I just try to enjoy everything this city presents and keep growing.
What made you interested in your current role?
I graduated from Birmingham with a Mathematics degree before which I studied in China in a Finance major. It's a natural thing for me to combine both and pursue a specific hybrid area (quantitative finance) where I think I can take advantage of what I have attained so far and lead me to a bigger world.
How has your career developed since graduating from the University of Birmingham?
After graduating from my BSc degree in Mathematics, I moved across the world to join the Courant Institute at New York University to prepare myself for a quantitative finance career. It has only been a couple of months since I started in NYC, but safe to say my time at Birmingham was valuable in preparing me well for a smooth transition from my undergraduate studies to the new journey at one of the most prestigious mathematical institutes in the US. I continue to explore more applied mathematics in quantitative finance based on my foundation knowledge learned at Birmingham.
What skills you learned from your degree or time at University would you say you use most in your job?
Almost every module I took at Birmingham has been indispensable in constituting a strong foundation for me to keep learning in advanced topics in the quantitative finance area.
What motivates you?
The aspiration to achieve better states of myself, and more freedom with my life.
What are your fondest memories of the University?
The campus is really beautiful. It was probably one of my most precious memories to walk along the country roads from Pebble Mill to the Edgbaston campus, or just wander around the campus with my friends. Every time I left campus after a long day, the ever-standing Old Joe clocktower always brought me comfort and inner peace. Although I lived in Birmingham for just two years, in retrospect the time I spent there was absolutely 'the good old days' that I will cherish for a lifetime.
How did your time at university help you start your career?
I am always thankful to the special journey at Birmingham. At university, not only did I acquire high-quality academic knowledge that helped me come so far, I also learnt a lot about different cultures, values and opinions which changed my views about this world, which I believe is the biggest influence on me. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity.
What advice would you give to current students studying on your degree programme?
Interact more with professors, don't be shy, they are all super nice people and are always willing to help you; always try to explore your own interests in the broad mathematical topics, which could be beneficial in the long run; besides studying at university, it is also beneficial to learn something more about potential careers and make preparations early; interact more with people at your surroundings, live your life at Birmingham to the most, you probably won’t realise how wonderful the journey is be until it has passed, so try to live to the fullest.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
The days I spent at the University of Birmingham will always be a special memory for me. I am truly grateful for everything that happened, and everyone I met during the two years at Birmingham. Thank you, Birmingham, for bringing so much fun and love to my life.