If you're considering algo trading as a career then be sure to talk to a lot of people doing it. I spent several years trying to break in to the industry at a few prop firms with only middling success. Here are my observations:

1. The vast majority of firms only hire people with CS or math degrees from top 10 schools, with an MS being the minimum. There are few exceptions.

2. Nobody is making as much money as they used to.

3. Depending on what firm you end up at you will probably spend a lot less time building cool strategies and a lot more time trying to shave off a few microseconds here and there.

4. Be prepared for a pretty rough work environment. Swearing, violent outbursts, people being secretive and not sharing ideas.

5. If you're lucky, management will be STEM people. If you're not, they will be former floor traders who have managed to stay alive this long.