The PDF states

A quant designs and implements mathematical models for the pricing of derivatives, assessment of risk, or predicting market movements.

As the knowledge necessary to perform such feats is not a part of the regular secondary-school math curriculum, facility with derivatives requires a level of quantitative (hence “quant”) training and skill confined to the mathematical specialist.

Where can these specialists be found? For Wall Street, the breeding grounds of future quants are the halls of academe, and more specifically, graduate departments of physics, mathematics, engineering, and (to a lesser extent) finance and economics. The favored candidates are holders of the degree of PhD, but not exclusively so.

I’m not sure why this would be posted to hacker news… it seems like economics or perhaps opportunities for graduate level mathematicians would be more appropriate…