Have you met someone who has worked on multiple retail projects? Working End to End, from the Business Requirement till the Project Production phase?
How about someone who has a vast experience practicing multiple business intelligence technologies like SSIS, SQL Server 2008, SSRS, Qlikview?
Phew! That’s a huge list of skills, and it is for real. This is the profile of Bibhu Prasad who has received the EPAT Certificate of Excellence!
We connected with him and conversed about his journey into the world of algorithms. We present to you his story.
Here’s how the conversation went:
Hi Bibhu! Tell us about yourself.
Hi! I’m Bibhu Prasad. Currently, I’m working at an MNC in a leadership role. I have 8+ years of work experience primarily in the banking side.
I hold a dual degree - Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.), and Master of Technology in Industrial Engineering and Management from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. I have also cleared my CFA Level 1.
I like watching sports like Cricket. I’m an avid coin collector and my collection consists of coins from various countries across different eras - a sort-of legacy that I have inherited from my grandfather and father.
Why did you want to get into Algorithmic Trading?
I’ve always been part of the technical team. I have ventured into the professional side, programming, then through database side, AI and other aspects which directly or indirectly involve a lot of coding like SQL2 to JavaScript. So, it is a blend of different scripting languages.
I have always been curious and interested in learning new things.
In college I learned C and C++, applied them during my internships, and also did a couple of projects on them. I always wanted to get into the technical side, and I was good at it too. So, that’s why I got into this domain.
I wanted to upgrade myself by learning Python. It started with the desire to learn Data Science. I would visit forums and different websites that taught Data Science from various aspects. For me, it was more from the point of learning Data Science. And I think I have achieved that goal as well.
I started with the intention of purely learning Python and Data Science, though I never ventured into trading before. So instead of going for some course on a random website or forum, wherein you don’t even know who the faculty are, or get to know things related to Data Science from them, I chose to research.
When did you come to know about EPAT and why did you join it?
I was researching online trying to find a learning resource for myself. Later, I eventually landed with EPAT by QuantInsti via some online forums and communities.
When I went through the EPAT brochure, it was an altogether different aspect for me - trading was there, there were people who wanted to set up their own trading desks, people who were programmers and wanted to upgrade themselves to Data Scientists. So, I was the latter.
Something that attracted my attention was the EPAT course content that talked about everything ranging from Python, Machine Learning, Strategies, etc., and has well-known faculty members on board. The course structure was great. Normally, if you do classes and if you don’t practice, then it is worth learning nothing. I felt that it had an upper edge above the others, and that is why I chose it.
My journey at EPAT has been wonderful. Starting right from Day 1, Mr. Nitesh Khandelwal’s first lecture - I was quite impressed by how the programme was going to pan out. EPAT provided a sort-of ‘kick’ that helped me to achieve such height and motivated me to push ahead in my learning. This ‘kick’ is what I consider to be the learning factor essential for everyone.
There are many features and benefits that EPAT offers. Which one did you like the best?
I felt that all the features are really great, but the one that I liked the most and the one that stands apart is the dedicated support team. Sometimes if I have a query, there is a quick resolution.
I recall this one incident wherein I was not able to access my account during a lecture, so I dropped an email, and within one minute that issue was resolved and I was able to attend the Live lecture.
At EPAT, post the lecture session, once you have completed certain exercises, assignments are assigned to you, etc. QuantInsti has great support staff who are really time-bound and helpful, especially the support managers. I’d like to specially mention my support manager, Dionne who was really helpful throughout the course, following up regularly on my assignments, calling up after every unit, etc.
If not for the support staff, I would’ve just attended lectures and courses, and within a week or two, I would’ve forgotten those things. It was also because of them that I was able to complete my assignments.
The team kept me motivated, pushed me and kept me going.
I loved this feature of points for EPATians, wherein each EPATian would receive points based on their assignments and projects. That’s what also made it so exciting and sort of competitive. You’d have to keep going to stay ahead of fellow EPATians based on your ranking positions. It is a nice feature to have.
What’s next for you?
I’ve started exploring more things that I’ve learnt like Python, Machine Learning, etc. Now I’m exploring the byproducts of ML, the NLP side, and following up on AI. So yes, that would be my next move - ie. exploring future technologies.
Thank you for your time, Bibhu. We truly admire your dedication towards learning and we wish you all the best for your future.
Equip yourself with lifelong skills which will always help you in upgrading your trading strategies. With topics such as Statistics & Econometrics, Financial Computing & Technology, Machine Learning, EPAT ensures that you are proficient in every skill required to excel in the field of trading. Enquire here.
Disclaimer: In order to assist individuals who are considering pursuing a career in algorithmic and quantitative trading, this case study has been collated based on the personal experiences of a student or alumni from QuantInsti’s EPAT® programme. Case studies are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be used for investment purposes. The results achieved post completion of the EPAT® programme may not be uniform for all individuals.
