what degrees/careers should i go into if i wanna make hella bank? (1 Viewer)

[r25nd]

i'm currently sitting my HSCs and feeling pretty lost about what I actually want to do after school. my interests shift constantly, some days I see myself in finance, other days it’s engineering, law, or even medicine. I wouldn’t say I have a clear passion or calling; i just genuinely enjoy challenging myself and i'm drawn to careers that are intellectually demanding and financially rewarding.

i'm very driven by financial freedom and long-term wealth and i really want to understand what industries and degrees in Australia actually offer strong earning potential over time - ideally those with few income ceilings.

for context, I’m a female student studying Mathematics Extension 2, Chemistry, Economics, and English Advanced, so I definitely lean towards the analytical side rather than the creative or essay-based fields.

I’d really appreciate any genuine insights - what degrees or career routes are worth pursuing today in terms of long-term financial growth and opportunity?
thank you!

 

[fromthethickofit]

actuarial studies -> quantitative trading

 

[r25nd]

actuarial studies -> quantitative trading

i was considering this and have it as preference on uac, could u tell me more about this pathway

 

[fromthethickofit]

i was considering this and have it as preference on uac, could u tell me more about this pathway

Actuarial Studies is a strong entry point into high-earning, mathematically-driven finance roles because it builds a foundation in probability, risk modelling, statistics and financial products - the same skills that quantitative finance and trading firms look for. Many students start in actuarial, gain technical strength and then pivot into quant roles through electives, coding experience or a later Masters (Quant Finance / Data / Financial Engineering). This pathway is attractive because it rewards analytical ability rather than “passion”, is intellectually demanding, and offers far higher long-term earning potential than traditional salaried professions since compensation is often performance-based with no real income ceiling. The main trade-off is that it’s competitive and requires strong maths + coding stamina, but for someone with an Ext2 background who values financial freedom and cognitive challenge, it’s one of the most strategically aligned options.

also like 80% of selective school students pick this degree either forced or not knowing what else to do

 

[gammahydroxybutyrate]

i'm currently sitting my HSCs and feeling pretty lost about what I actually want to do after school. my interests shift constantly, some days I see myself in finance, other days it’s engineering, law, or even medicine. I wouldn’t say I have a clear passion or calling; i just genuinely enjoy challenging myself and i'm drawn to careers that are intellectually demanding and financially rewarding.

i'm very driven by financial freedom and long-term wealth and i really want to understand what industries and degrees in Australia actually offer strong earning potential over time - ideally those with few income ceilings.

for context, I’m a female student studying Mathematics Extension 2, Chemistry, Economics, and English Advanced, so I definitely lean towards the analytical side rather than the creative or essay-based fields.

I’d really appreciate any genuine insights - what degrees or career routes are worth pursuing today in terms of long-term financial growth and opportunity?
thank you!

most people will not make bank in law lol. it is certainly intellectually demanding and analytical.

 

[qweeosh]

Go to tafe and become a tradie.

 

[idkkdi]

actuarial studies -> quantitative trading

do maths & compsci not actl. Even then becoming one of the actual traders is highly unrealistic unless ur doing well in eg AMO (there just are not many positions)

most people will not make bank in law lol. it is certainly intellectually demanding and analytical.

i might argue about the intellectual demands of a solicitor, but being a barrister is certainly intellectually demanding

i'm currently sitting my HSCs and feeling pretty lost about what I actually want to do after school. my interests shift constantly, some days I see myself in finance, other days it’s engineering, law, or even medicine. I wouldn’t say I have a clear passion or calling; i just genuinely enjoy challenging myself and i'm drawn to careers that are intellectually demanding and financially rewarding.

i'm very driven by financial freedom and long-term wealth and i really want to understand what industries and degrees in Australia actually offer strong earning potential over time - ideally those with few income ceilings.

for context, I’m a female student studying Mathematics Extension 2, Chemistry, Economics, and English Advanced, so I definitely lean towards the analytical side rather than the creative or essay-based fields.

I’d really appreciate any genuine insights - what degrees or career routes are worth pursuing today in terms of long-term financial growth and opportunity?
thank you!

depends on what kind of intellectual demand (& what extent of intellectual demand) & amount of financial reward. Out of all 4 pathways, there's probably a way in all of them to make it work. Generally, id say confused people do end up in usyd law/comm or something of the like, whether for better or for worse

 

[v.tex]

Only way ur achieving true financial freedom is either becoming a quant, investment banker, ceo, or starting ur own business.

 

[Tony Stark]

mechatronics is a growing field?

 

[r25nd]

Actuarial Studies is a strong entry point into high-earning, mathematically-driven finance roles because it builds a foundation in probability, risk modelling, statistics and financial products - the same skills that quantitative finance and trading firms look for. Many students start in actuarial, gain technical strength and then pivot into quant roles through electives, coding experience or a later Masters (Quant Finance / Data / Financial Engineering). This pathway is attractive because it rewards analytical ability rather than “passion”, is intellectually demanding, and offers far higher long-term earning potential than traditional salaried professions since compensation is often performance-based with no real income ceiling. The main trade-off is that it’s competitive and requires strong maths + coding stamina, but for someone with an Ext2 background who values financial freedom and cognitive challenge, it’s one of the most strategically aligned options.

also like 80% of selective school students pick this degree either forced or not knowing what else to do

okay thanks - as someone who attends a selective school everyone and their mum is picking actl which is why i'm iffy (what if it gets oversaturated by the time we graduate and the job market’s flooded? feels risky banking on it even though it sounds like a solid degree right now)

 

[r25nd]

most people will not make bank in law lol. it is certainly intellectually demanding and analytical.

i've heard - and is it true that you need good connections to make it big? i don't have any family / family friends in law (not that i'm aware of since my family isn't very social unfortunately) so i'm wondering if that puts me in a big disadvantage

 

[r25nd]

do maths & compsci not actl. Even then becoming one of the actual traders is highly unrealistic unless ur doing well in eg AMO (there just are not many positions)

ooh that's quite interesting. why do you suggest this instead of doing actl?

 

[r25nd]

mechatronics is a growing field?

tell me more lol, what could the degree be like + jobs etc what i can expect

 

[Trebla]

Interesting timing of this thread…if you want to learn more about quant trading, there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions to people working in that industry on a thread in just a few weeks:

...and that wraps up the BoS Trials for 2025!

Thank you to all the students who took part. Best of luck for the remainder of your HSC!

A special thanks to IMC Trading for their sponsorship and supply of free merchandise at the event. Also, massive thanks to those who took the time to help write and mark the papers @Paradoxica @yanujw @one eight seven @Lith_30 @imagineee @Epsilon2184. This event would not be possible without your help!

So what next?

Careers in Maths - Quant trading
Are you good at Maths, intending to study a STEM course at uni and wonder what kind of lucrative job prospects there are for people like you? Well, perhaps working at a quant trading firm might just be up your alley!

When the HSC exams are over, we will be launching an exclusive thread on BoS where you will actually get to interact with our BoS Trials sponsor IMC Trading on this very forum (and if there are enough people engaging we might consider giving away more free merch). This is a unique opportunity to get your foot in the door!

Watch this space!

Want to help us for next year's BoS trials?
The BoS trials would not be where it is today without the help and dedication of a team of people who helped make this happen. We are always on the look out for new people to join the team to help to author and mark the trial exams. If this is something you would be interested in being a part of next year (and have good knowledge in the subject ofc), please send me a PM.

PS: I have already received messages from some people interested in possibly restarting Chem/Phys, so would be great if we could get more!

 

[r25nd]

Interesting timing of this thread…if you want to learn more about quant trading, there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions to people working in that industry on a thread in just a few weeks:

oh wow thanks for this!

 

[gammahydroxybutyrate]

do maths & compsci not actl. Even then becoming one of the actual traders is highly unrealistic unless ur doing well in eg AMO (there just are not many positions)

i might argue about the intellectual demands of a solicitor, but being a barrister is certainly intellectually demanding

depends on what kind of intellectual demand (& what extent of intellectual demand) & amount of financial reward. Out of all 4 pathways, there's probably a way in all of them to make it work. Generally, id say confused people do end up in usyd law/comm or something of the like, whether for better or for worse

if your role as a solicitor isn't intellectually demanding, you either work in conveyancing/migration/construction etc. or you're a shit lawyer

 

[gammahydroxybutyrate]

i've heard - and is it true that you need good connections to make it big? i don't have any family / family friends in law (not that i'm aware of since my family isn't very social unfortunately) so i'm wondering if that puts me in a big disadvantage

nepo job helps for sure but isn't necessary, the point is that you make connections through the work you do in law school, in law school/plt and whilst practising. its a small profession and you eventually get to know most people in your area.

 

[Eatham]

Be Elon Musk lol

 

[r25nd]

Be Elon Musk lol

i wish

 

[nonya2000]

actuarial studies -> quantitative trading

Actuarial Studies is a strong entry point into high-earning, mathematically-driven finance roles because it builds a foundation in probability, risk modelling, statistics and financial products - the same skills that quantitative finance and trading firms look for. Many students start in actuarial, gain technical strength and then pivot into quant roles through electives, coding experience or a later Masters (Quant Finance / Data / Financial Engineering). This pathway is attractive because it rewards analytical ability rather than “passion”, is intellectually demanding, and offers far higher long-term earning potential than traditional salaried professions since compensation is often performance-based with no real income ceiling. The main trade-off is that it’s competitive and requires strong maths + coding stamina, but for someone with an Ext2 background who values financial freedom and cognitive challenge, it’s one of the most strategically aligned options.

also like 80% of selective school students pick this degree either forced or not knowing what else to do

is there a reason actuary atar requirement much higher than engineering