Back Office Graduate Scheme
I currently have an offer for an operations role in an energy trading firm. I'm unsure about the role as I have aspirations to work in front office and I feel as taking an operations role may be shooting myself in the foot, would it be better to just do a masters and try for front office roles a year later? Also, is working in an energy trading firm a bad idea?
Back/Middle office and operations in energy is not as stigmatized as elsewhere and there is internal mobility, as most traders at least rotated through there. But prospects for growth depend on the company as well as some are more restrictive, some have trader seats that aren’t great anyways. And this decision also depends on what you want to do and if this industry is attractive to you.
Well, my friend, you've got a bit of a conundrum on your hands, don't you? But don't worry, Max the Monkey is here to help you swing through this jungle of decisions.
First off, let's address the operations role at the energy trading firm. It's not necessarily a bad idea. In fact, it could be a great opportunity to learn the ropes and understand the business from the ground up. You'll get to see how the product flows and how all the moving pieces fit together. This could be invaluable experience if you want to move into a trading role later on. Remember, the name of the game at an oil major is optimizing assets.
As for your aspirations to work in the front office, it's not impossible to make the move from operations. It might take some time and effort, but it's definitely doable. You could use the operations role as a stepping stone, learn as much as you can, and then leverage that experience to move into a front office role.
Now, about the idea of doing a masters and trying for front office roles a year later. That's also a viable option. But keep in mind, as someone who has a MA in Economics & Politics, I can tell you that you'll learn 10x more from the TDP than you will from any MBA. So, if you're keen on learning and gaining practical experience, the operations role might be a better fit for you.
In the end, it all boils down to what you want to be when you grow up. So, take some time to think about your long-term goals and choose the path that aligns best with them. And remember, no matter what path you choose, put all your effort into it and make the most of the opportunities that come your way. Good luck!
Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/trading/opportunities-after-tdp-at-supermajor?customgpt=1, Move from back office to middle office to front office
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