Matthew Fitzpatrick
Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) 2009, PhD 2016
Alumnus Dr Matthew Fitzpatrick talks us through his journey to studying mathematics at the University of Sydney.
He now works at Westpac in their electronic trading finance division.
When I was in high school, I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do for a career. I have always had a strong interest in maths and science, and wanted to do something that would be interesting, challenging and also something that would keep my options open. I also had a couple of friends who were doing the same degree, which made the decision slightly easier.
Yes! Since I was very young, anything to do with puzzles, numbers, problem solving or speed calculations was something I really enjoyed.
I also had an amazing experience in Year 11 at the National Mathematics Summer School, led by Professor Terry Gagen from the University of Sydney at the time, which cultivated a sincere passion for the subject.
Speaking about the degree specifically – rather than university in general, where the social side is easily the best thing! – I enjoyed my honours year where I gained an appreciation, skill and enjoyment for statistical programming (which was definitely not my favourite thing earlier on).
In my honours year, I enjoyed the research component and wanted to see how far I could go with the subject. I was also working part-time in risk at CBA and later at Westpac, and felt that the balance between the bank and postgraduate research worked well.
It would help me to build my skills and experience in the subject and help set up a strong career foundation.
“It would help me to build my skills and experience in the subject and help set up a strong career foundation.”
During my undergraduate studies, I actually had the goal of doing postgraduate medicine – I went as far as completing the GAMSAT test, but stopped short of submitting an application for an interview!
It was advice that my father gave me that made me consider applying maths in a professional context such as finance. I wanted a career where I could help people, and medicine seemed like a good way to do that, but I didn't have a passion for the subject, nor much knowledge of what the day-to-day career would be like.
Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful for that advice!
I work in a team that manages automated models that trade spot foreign exchange. In this role, I aim to make foreign exchange as cheap as possible to trade.
That means we could send out prices with cheaper transaction costs, so customers could trade currencies more efficiently and our bank earned the business.
Every day, I conducted research into our prices, the market and our trade decisions, and I also got involved in many different initiatives, that involved our sales teams, customers, regulators and compliance, new products, or various other initiatives, where some multidisciplinary problem solving is required.
Without the degrees, I simply wouldn't qualify to do the work! I use scientific methods and statistical analysis in particular constantly in my job. For example, if we have had a series of profitable and unprofitable trades, we need to separate the signal from the noise and make appropriate decisions that are likely to improve outcomes in the future.
This is advice I received when I was in high school from Professor Terry Gagen at the National Mathematics Summer School:
Always do maths and something.
“Always do maths and something.”
In the professional world, including academia, mathematicians are incredibly valued and useful when they can also do other things, such as play music, communicate with influence, understand a subject where maths is applied, produce art, write stories, or teach others.
Your maths knowledge is always enhanced by the "and something".
