By Jing (Julia) Xu
Unlike some with clear career paths from a young age, I found my direction through trial and error. When I started undergrad in the early 2010’s, civil engineering was one of the most sought-after fields in China. The challenge of designing high-rise buildings and constructing bridges across bays intrigued me, leading me to pursue a degree in civil engineering.
Four years later, I enrolled in the master’s degree program at the University of California, Berkeley. I was amidst some of the most brilliant and dedicated engineers and incredibly knowledgeable and supportive professors. The experience deepened my knowledge of civil engineering and foundational subjects like mathematics and statistics. I also explored programming and statistical analysis through the broad course offerings, which planted the seeds for my future interests.
After graduation, I worked as a civil engineer specializing in seismic analysis in Southern California. The job was fulfilling, and my life settled into a comfortable routine. However, COVID lockdowns putting social activities on hold, rekindled the urge to challenge myself. During lockdowns, friends working in financial engineering introduced me to this new world. Toward the end of 2021, I began taking courses online in programming and financial modeling while immersing myself in Wall Street Journal podcasts on my commutes. With a strong background in data and math, I quickly grasped the material and found it highly engaging. Financial engineering opened my eyes to the potential power of mathematical and data-driven approaches in generating returns by predicting markets and optimizing investment strategies. By the end of 2021, I asked myself: why not dive deeper and learn financial engineering comprehensively through a master’s degree program?
The first hurdle was finding a master’s program that would accept me. I kept up with online courses while navigating the application process in my free time. After four intense months, I received the incredible news that I had earned a spot in the Computational Finance & Risk Management (CFRM) program at the University of Washington (UW). The thrill, shock, and happiness I felt nearly brought me to tears.
My first year at UW has been one of the best experiences of my life. I finally found my passion! I could spend days coding projects and researching financial markets and models without feeling tired. The unwavering support from Karen and Killian for personal and professional development, the patient guidance from professors like Steve Murray, and the stunning views of Mount Rainier framed by cherry blossoms all made this a transformative experience.
The next significant challenge was securing a summer internship. Starting from scratch in a competitive job market was daunting. It was humbling to navigate the job search as a fresh grad again. However, when I finally received an internship offer, I was overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment. My internship experience has taught me invaluable lessons and confirmed that I was on the right path.
Starting at UW marked a new chapter. I embraced every aspect of the program—even the constant winter drizzles became soothing. Looking back, I’m proud of my decision to pursue this journey. Leaving behind the stability I had built, my close friendships, and a field I was familiar with wasn’t easy, but the unconditional support from my loved ones helped me take that leap.
Reflecting on my journey, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to stay focused on my goals. Every new venture carries risks, but those risks shouldn’t deter you from pursuing what you truly want. Instead, embrace the challenge, manage risks wisely, and claim the rewards you’ve earned through hard work.