At the D. E. Shaw group you'll be working with people trained in a variety of disciplines in a collegial, casual environment in which corporate hierarchies are kept to a minimum. There is no dress code (you won't see many suits and ties), our vacation policy is flexible, and many positions don't have fixed hours. New hires often enjoy surprising amounts of responsibility, and we encourage collaboration, personal mentorships with senior team members, and the open exploration of ideas. As a result, many employees feel that the firm combines some of the most attractive features of academia with considerably greater rewards.
There are also abundant opportunities for rapid professional growth. One of our managing directors literally started in the mailroom, and it's not uncommon for people to move between departments if there's a fit for both the firm and the individual. Career paths are governed primarily by the evolution of an employee's interests and abilities.