Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Interests
Timeline
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Niko McConnell
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Niko McConnell

Christchurch,ILA

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work
Desired start date: Open to discussion

Desired Job Title

Quantitative EngineerTrader InternQuantitative Analyst Intern

Work Type

Full TimePart TimeContract WorkGig WorkConsultingVolunteerSeasonal Work

Location Preference

On-SiteRemoteHybrid
Location: Christchurch, ILA, NZAuckland, AUK
Open to relocation: Yes

Important To Me

Career advancementCompany CulturePersonal development programsWork from home optionTeam Building / Company RetreatsPaid time offStock Options / Equity / Profit SharingWork-life balanceFlexible work hoursHealthcare benefitsPaid sick leave

Summary

I am a penultimate-year Financial Engineering student at University of Canterbury with a strong interest in quantitative analysis, financial markets, and data-driven problem solving. Through my studies and independent projects, I have developed experience in Python, statistical analysis, and trading strategy backtesting. I am seeking a 2026/27 summer internship to apply my analytical skills in a practical environment and further develop my understanding of quantitative trading and financial markets.

Overview

4
4
years of professional experience

Work History

Dishwasher

Manaia Kitchen & Bar
Tairua, WKO
12.2025 - 01.2026

- Dishwashing, Kitchen Hand and other back-of-house tasks.

- Casual contract, worked for 4 weeks over the summer period.

Window Cleaner

Coromandel Window Cleaning
Tairua, WKO
12.2025 - 12.2025

- Operated various pieces of window cleaning equipment, including a De-Ionization (DI) unit, to achieve optimal results on windows.

- The job was a temporary, 3-week fill-in for the boss, who was recovering from an injury and could not work.

Swim Event Safety Officer

Summer Swim Series
Auckland, AUK
10.2024 - 11.2025
  • Supervise swimmers as a lifeguard on a rescue board during the summer swim series events at Kohimarama beach.
  • Ran every Thursday evening for 2 hours between late October and early February, excluding 4 weeks over the Christmas and New Year's break.

Junior Surf Programme Instructor

Tairua Surf Lifesaving
Tairua, WKO
12.2021 - 01.2025
  • Teach water safety to children as a Lifeguard at Tairua Beach in the Coromandel.
  • The job is 2-3 weeks every year over the core summer period.

Supermarket Assistant

Tairua Four Square
Tairua, WKO
12.2023 - 01.2024

- Stock rotation

- Shelf stacking

- Unpacking deliveries

Education

Bachelor of Science - Financial Engineering

University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand, NZ
11-2027

High School Diploma -

Macleans College
Auckland
11-2024

Skills

  • Strong quantitative foundation through Financial Engineering studies at University of Canterbury, including mathematics, statistics, probability, and data analysis
  • Developing expertise in multivariable calculus, statistical inference, econometrics, and time series modelling
  • Experience applying quantitative reasoning to trading strategy evaluation and backtesting
  • Python for quantitative analysis, data manipulation, and trading strategy development
  • Experience using Pandas for financial data analysis, backtesting, and historical market data processing
  • Experience using Matplotlib for visualising strategy performance and cumulative returns
  • Built trading strategy backtests, walk-forward optimisation workflows, and paper-trading simulations
  • Developing algorithmic thinking and computational problem-solving through computer science coursework
  • Completed introductory economics, accounting, and finance coursework
  • Developing understanding of market behaviour, financial instruments, and quantitative trading concepts
  • Strong interest in systematic trading and data-driven decision making
  • Strong work ethic, reliability, and time management
  • Coachable and receptive to feedback
  • Team-oriented, disciplined, and resilient through competitive rowing and surf lifesaving experience
  • Comfortable performing under pressure and maintaining consistency in high-commitment environments

Accomplishments

  • 2025: Earned my Advanced Surf First Aid Award
  • 2024: MAADI Cup team
  • 2024: North Island Rowing Champs - Silver Medal in the Men's Intermediate Coxed Quad
  • 2024: Most Improved Macleans College Rower
  • 2023: MAADI Cup team
  • 2023: Rowing Team Spirit Award
  • 2023: Earned my Surf First Aid Award
  • 2022: Qualified as a Surf Lifeguard

Interests

- I enjoy going to the gym to weight train

- I used to run and swim a lot for surf lifeguard training before starting University

- I play the piano and enjoy playing songs on it by ear (I have perfect pitch)

- I like to code, which is something I hope to put to good use for jobs and internships in the future

Timeline

Dishwasher

Manaia Kitchen & Bar
12.2025 - 01.2026

Window Cleaner

Coromandel Window Cleaning
12.2025 - 12.2025

Swim Event Safety Officer

Summer Swim Series
10.2024 - 11.2025

Supermarket Assistant

Tairua Four Square
12.2023 - 01.2024

Junior Surf Programme Instructor

Tairua Surf Lifesaving
12.2021 - 01.2025

High School Diploma -

Macleans College

Bachelor of Science - Financial Engineering

University of Canterbury
Niko McConnell