Monday, September 21st, 2009
As part of a recent CQF Alumni survey, we asked a series of questions about graduate's financial institutions, their approach to risk managment, and whether anything had been learnt over the past 12 months. The results are as follows:

Within the last 12 months in your institution, do you think that there is more or less understanding of the role of quants than there has been previously?
The level of understanding has not changed - 54.4%
Greater understanding of the role of quants - 29.1%
Less understanding of the role of quants - 12.7%
I am not working - 3.8%

Within your institution, do you think that quants are being blamed for the financial crisis?
No - 75%
Yes - 14.5%
Don't know - 10.5%

For quants and those working in risk management: are you being asked to validate or explain your techniques to a greater or lesser degree?
I am not a quant/risk manager - 39.5%
I am being asked for a little more explanation than previously - 23.7%
There has been no change - 19.7%
I am being asked for much more explanation than previously - 14.5%
I am being asked for less explanation than previously - 2.6%

How well do your supervisors understand what you are doing?
Somewhat - 52.3%
Very well - 36.4%
Not at all - 11.4%

Has there been any change in how well your supervisors understand what you are doing?
Their level of understanding is the same - 81.8%
Their level of understanding is better - 13.6%
Their level of understanding is worse - 4.5%

Is risk management a greater part of your job than previously?
The focus on risk management is the same - 59.1%
Risk management is a greater part of my job - 36.4%
Risk management is a smaller part of my job - 4.5%

Are you being consulted more or less on risk management issues than previously?
My involvement in risk management discussions is the same - 38.6%
My opinion is being solicited a little more in risk management discussions - 36.4%
My opinion is being solicited much more in risk management discussions - 18.2%
My opinion is being solicited a little less in risk management discussions - 4.5%
My opinion is being solicited much less in risk management discussions - 2.3%