Career Path of a Managing Director of Quantitative Strategies at O Asset Management
Initially pursuing engineering, a scholarship recipient at Arizona State University, the individual's career path unexpectedly shifted after an internship at Palo Alto Research Center's AI lab revealed a passion for computer science and AI, leading to a master's degree and a career in data science, culminating in the current role as Managing Director of Quantitative Strategies where the individual "run[s] a group of scientists and researchers and engineers building AI systems." The individual's success is largely attributed to leveraging their network, demonstrating the importance of "tapping your networks" and perseverance in overcoming initial academic challenges.
Networking, Career Pivoting, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Quantitative Finance
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Trevor Richardson
Managing Director, Quantitative Strategies
O Asset Management
Arizona State University
M.S. Computer Science at Arizona State University
Engineering - Industrial
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing), Technology
Data and Analytics
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Trevor's career path highlights the importance of networking. His first internship and subsequent job offers were secured through his network, emphasizing the value of building and maintaining professional connections.
2. Despite initial uncertainty about his career path, Trevor's persistence led to a successful transition from industrial engineering to a fulfilling career in AI, showing the possibility of career changes and adapting to new challenges.
3. Trevor's academic journey showcases that pursuing further education, even in a field where one initially struggled, can open doors to new opportunities and career growth. His master's degree in computer science directly contributed to his current role in quantitative strategies.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Please include any internships or jobs you had before your current role.
When I entered undergrad, the only thing I knew about myself was that I had a penchant for math, physics, and sciences. I thought I wanted to be an engineer, so I went to ASU. They gave me a scholarship that covered everything, so I could go for free, which was very important for someone like me.
I decided to study at Arizona State University. At the time, the highest-ranked engineering program was called industrial engineering. I knew nothing about it and picked it at random. Towards the end of the program, I realized I didn't like it and didn't want to be a manufacturing engineer.
I wanted to solve applied math problems. After finishing undergrad, I experienced a time of disillusionment. I had no idea what I wanted to do.
For young individuals, I want to highlight the importance of tapping your networks. If it wasn't for my network, I'm not sure how long it would have taken me to stumble into computer science and artificial intelligence, the field I am in today and truly want to be in.
One of my dad's best friends worked at the Palo Alto Research Center in the AI lab. He gave me an internship. I sent my resume around, and someone took a risk on me. That experience shifted my life because I saw incredible scientists doing interesting work, and 95% of them had computer science degrees.
That's when I realized I needed to retool. I decided to pursue my master's in computer science, even though it was the subject I struggled with most in undergrad. It was the only class where I got a C. My friends and family warned me, asking if I was sure about that choice.
It was twofold: it was the ticket to play for a career path I found fascinating, and it was a way to prove to myself that I was good enough to participate in that field. I went back to ASU and studied computer science.
I fell in love with AI, specifically in my artificial intelligence class. I found a professor, Dr. Henny Ben Moore, very stimulating and interesting. I followed him to his office every day and chatted with him until he eventually let me do some work in his AI robotics lab.
I did my master's thesis on machine learning and robotics, focusing on robotic pain systems. We tried to map the cognitive system of pain to a machine learning scheme called reinforcement learning and teach a robot how to dodge balls.
After that, my network again paid off. I sent my resume to everyone in my network and applied to jobs. My first job came through my network at a small startup doing data science consulting. I was probably employee seven or eight. We grew over five years, and I worked as a data scientist, eventually senior data scientist, until my client bought me.
Now I work directly for one of the clients I used to work for. I'm the managing director of quantitative strategies, leading a group of scientists, researchers, and engineers. We build AI systems to provide better risk-return profiles for our clients than any passive index.
These people have worked their lives to create a nest egg for themselves and their families, and it's our job to protect that. I find it to be fascinating work, and that's where I am today.