Sina Mohammadzadeh Tutunchi embarked on his academic journey with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Tehran, but his fascination for finance and economics led him to explore the integration of computer science in these fields. He decided to hone his quantitative finance skills through SFU Beedie’s master of finance (MSc Fin) program.

Sina’s experience at SFU Beedie equipped him with essential mathematical and financial knowledge, while notable highlights included collaborating with renowned financial experts and participating in the transformative PRMIA Case Competition. Now a rotational quantitative associate at TD, he plans to delve into machine learning and AI to meet the industry's demands.

My journey

Sina’s academic journey began at the University of Tehran, where he earned a bachelor's degree in computer science. During his undergraduate years, he developed a fascination for finance and economics, finding the integration of computer science with these fields intriguing. Recognizing the growing demand for such interdisciplinary skills in the data-driven financial landscape, he sought opportunities to delve deeper.

It was during a hiring event jointly organized by TD and SFU Beedie that Sina discovered the TD Quantitative Associate Rotational Program. Sina was encouraged by Dr. Frederick Willeboordse's email encouraging students to participate and had previously benefited from similar industry events during his studies at SFU Beedie.

“SFU Beedie arranged an informal interview with an industry professional which helped shape my mindset during interviews,” says Sina. “This experience helped me understand the expectations of interviewers in the job hunt process.”

My experience at SFU Beedie

Sina’s experience at SFU Beedie proved instrumental in shaping his career. Courses like Numerical Methods taught by Dr. Phil Goddard and Derivatives I and II led by Dr. Avi Bick provided invaluable insights into derivative pricing and the finite difference method, essential tools in his current work.

“A large part of my work relies on math,” says Sina. “So, every course that involved mathematical methods has been beneficial for me.”

Dr. Bick's teaching approach, particularly his ability to simplify complex concepts, continues to be an asset to Sina in his work. “His ability to explain complex ideas in a simple way has been extremely useful,” says Sina. “I use the notes I have from his courses to this day.”

Highlights

Sina’s final project, supervised by Dr. Deniz Anginer, stood out as a unique opportunity to collaborate with a seasoned financial expert. Dr. Anginer's guidance provided valuable perspectives on the initiation and execution of financial projects.

“During the project, my supervisor answered my questions patiently and his suggestions gave me perspective on how any financial projects are initiated and carried out,” says Sina.

Additionally, the 2022 PRMIA Case Competition was a transformative experience for Sina, exposing him to real-world financial risk management and environmental considerations in finance.

“Our task was to assess the impact of climate change on a specific bank's real estate portfolio, a challenge that underscored the intersection between environmental considerations and financial risk,” says Sina. “It was an immersion into real-world financial risk management that allowed us to grapple with pressing, relevant issues. I consider it a significant highlight of my academic journey at SFU Beedie.”

Where I am today

Currently, Sina serves as a rotational quantitative associate at TD. Given the rising demand for machine learning and AI experts in the financial industry, he plans to expand his knowledge in this domain.

Sina’s advice to aspiring professionals is to start their career search early and embrace stepping out of their comfort zone.

“Don’t start your career search after you graduate, start your career search today and learn the skills,” says Sina. “Stepping out of your comfort zone is an important stride towards personal and professional growth. While advice can provide valuable perspectives, it's crucial to follow your passion, even if that means embracing change, such as relocating to a new city.”