Calling all Undergraduates & Graduate Students! Apply for the Jane Street IN FOCUS Program 2025 in New York
Overview of the IN FOCUS Program
The IN FOCUS program is a rigorous and immersive opportunity developed by Jane Street, designed specifically for undergraduate and graduate students who have encountered barriers in accessing advanced STEM educational experiences.
This initiative invites participants to engage directly with professionals at Jane Street, gaining in-depth exposure to the firm’s work and the specific problem-solving strategies it employs.
Through a thoughtfully curated series of lectures, interactive sessions, and hands-on experiences, students are introduced to the tools, concepts, and frameworks that underpin the daily operations of Jane Street’s multifaceted business.
Program Tracks: A Tailored Learning Experience
Participants in the IN FOCUS program can choose from one of three distinct tracks: software engineering, trading, and strategy and product. Each track is designed to offer a focused yet comprehensive learning experience, tailored to provide a realistic insight into a potential career at Jane Street.
The Trading Track: Applying Mathematics to Real Markets
Students selected for the trading track will delve into mathematical and financial principles that are essential to Jane Street’s trading operations. Topics such as probability, arbitrage, and market structure are introduced through a combination of short classroom lectures and engaging, collaborative activities. In addition to theoretical learning, students participate in mock trading sessions and group games, providing opportunities to apply their understanding in simulated market environments. This immersive experience not only sharpens participants’ analytical thinking but also helps them understand the dynamic and high-stakes nature of real-world trading.
The Software Engineering Track: Building with Purpose
The software engineering track is designed for students who are curious about the intersection of coding and finance. Participants will be introduced to OCaml, a functional programming language widely used at Jane Street, along with a suite of internal libraries and tools that power the firm’s trading systems. Through guided instruction, students will gain familiarity with the fundamentals of software development in a financial context.
They will then have the chance to apply their knowledge in practical projects, including designing and building the backend and user interface for a computer game, as well as developing a program capable of trading on a simulated stock exchange. This track offers students a rare glimpse into the architecture and design considerations behind real-time trading software.
The Strategy and Product Track: Bridging Business and Technology
In the strategy and product (SP) track, students explore how Jane Street’s cross-functional teams work together to solve complex, large-scale challenges. This track emphasizes how different departments—such as operations, compliance, treasury, technology, and trading—collaborate to enable the firm’s growth and maintain operational excellence.
Through case studies and hands-on problem-solving exercises, students examine the critical role SPs play in setting up new trading flows, responding to regulatory changes, managing funding and financing strategies, and ensuring smooth coordination across the firm. The SP track is ideal for those who enjoy analytical problem-solving and are interested in the structural and logistical side of financial operations.
Who Should Apply: A Broad and Inclusive Definition of Barriers
The IN FOCUS program is open to current undergraduate students who have faced significant barriers in accessing advanced STEM education. Jane Street uses an inclusive and broad definition of what constitutes a barrier. These may stem from personal, economic, geographic, or social challenges. Examples include—but are not limited to—being a first-generation college student, belonging to an underrepresented racial or ethnic minority group, being eligible for Pell Grants, coming from a low-income household, attending an under-resourced or rural school, or facing other forms of personal or systemic hardship. Jane Street acknowledges that the path to higher education in STEM is not equal for all, and encourages applications from any student who feels they have encountered such challenges.
No Prior Finance Experience Required
Importantly, no previous knowledge of finance is necessary to participate in the program. The primary requirement is curiosity and a willingness to explore what a career at Jane Street might look like. The program is designed to be approachable, supportive, and engaging for students regardless of their financial background or familiarity with the financial industry.
Upcoming Session Details and Application Deadline
APPLY NOW
Jane Street’s upcoming IN FOCUS program will be hosted at the firm’s New York City office and will run from January 12th to January 17th, 2026. Applications are now open and will be accepted until Sunday, October 26th, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Interested students are encouraged to apply to the location closest to them. Given the competitive nature of the program and the personalized attention each participant receives, early application is strongly recommended.
For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hosting organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
