Do professional traders need a degree?

Trading requires a combination of market knowledge, probability, risk management, emotional discipline, and the ability to evaluate data.

A finance or quantitative degree can help with certain institutional roles, but the requirements vary between employers and trading positions.

Certifications and independent research can demonstrate knowledge, although they do not replace every employer's education requirements.

Discussion: When hiring a junior trader, what should matter most: academic qualifications, mathematical ability, coding skills, a tested strategy, or experience managing risk?

Would your answer differ for a discretionary trader versus a quantitative trader?