Efrin is a Software Development Engineer with about 15+ years of experience in large-sized Nordic Enterprises like Postnord Stralfors and Nordea Bank Denmark, as well as the Superintendency of Banks of Guatemala.
He is a web developer graduate from KEA (Københavns Erhvervsakademi) and has completed his post-graduate studies in software development and technology from IT University of Copenhagen. He has also done a professional certification in Java Programming and a specialization in Pervasive Computing and Distributed Systems.
We connected with Efrin to know what sparked his interest in algorithmic trading. This is his journey.
Hi Efrin, tell us about yourself!
Hi, this is Efrin González. I live in Denmark. I'm originally from Guatemala, which is in Latin America, Central America. I am currently working as a software engineer for a broker company in Denmark doing various projects regarding financial instruments and trading.
I love doing martial arts as it helps me be focused and committed to goals. I used to be a semi-professional fighter in Taekwondo before I committed myself to my studies. I've been to the world championships and have won many medals at the national level.
Other than that I also love literature and philosophy.
15+ years in Software development, what motivated you to learn Algorithmic Trading?
Since high school, I've been interested in technology. So, I began to work for a variety of small businesses or worked as a freelancer.
And, having worked with banks and been exposed to financial concepts and surroundings, it's only reasonable for me to believe that I, too, possess the necessary talents to create algorithms that could potentially benefit me now. Algo Trading seemed like a new challenge to me and I began to scour the domain for any options.
If you build up all the required and additional skills, you will undoubtedly be in a stronger position in your career. In that sense, I believe it was challenging.
Because of the automation, there are different tracks you may take once you enter algorithmic trading, and there are some highly cutting-edge technologies like machine learning, as well as a favourable financial environment.
Automation is currently one of the most prominent aspects of technology, so I opted to enroll in the EPAT course.
I'd like to have a better understanding of what's going on in the area of algorithmic trading. I glanced through the materials and found them to be intriguing. So that was the deciding factor for me.
The content and quality of the course are good, and the results are immediate. I gained the confidence to work effectively in a trade environment.
And that's the reason why I changed jobs after getting my Algorithmic Trading certification from EPAT.
EPAT is a very high-quality course - in terms of the materials, in terms of the support you receive from the support managers and the whole team.
You get feedback, you get your questions answered, you get help with the exercises, and so much more. Overall, a fun and exciting experience.
One feature of EPAT that you like the most
EPAT is very well organized, and the learning platform (LMS) is very accessible. The materials are well organized. You know where to go when you need something. The professional lecturers and support managers are attentive to your every need.
The course is very well organized. The video recordings are something that one can appreciate in the long run and you can always come back to the course materials later down the line anytime in your lifetime.
Any words that you’d like to share for the aspiring Quants out there?
Learning how to split the problems is very important so that you understand the goal. But you don't have to have all the knowledge to get to the goal, but you can achieve it by building it up. You learn and re-learn, and you improve yourself constantly, every single day.
So, have a goal. Build it up, step by step, and don't hesitate to ask questions.
Thank you so much Efrin for sharing your journey with us and we wish you all the very best for your future.
If you too desire to 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, this algo trading course ensures that you are proficient in every skill required to excel in the field of trading. Check out EPAT now!
Disclaimer: In order to assist individuals who are considering pursuing a career in algorithmic and quantitative trading, this success story has been collated based on the personal experiences of a student or alumni from QuantInsti’s EPAT programme. Success stories 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.
