Changing from Energy Trading to IM/Research
I'm in my early thirties and have been an energy trader for almost five years now. Purely spec trading. I also trade interest rate futures in my own account, among other commodities. Love macroeconomics and fundamental analysis.
I've always had an interest to work at a mutual fund/pension fund doing research, perhaps focus on asset mix strategy, and maybe someday being a fund manager. Preferably fixed income. I live in Canada.
I have two undergrads. Comp Sci and Economics. My last degree gpa is 3.7 and my work experience is good. Five years finance consulting. Five years energy trading/research (spec trading, not hedging). It's time to pursue a MFIN, MBA and/or CFA and new career.
My question is:
Suggestions for a next step. MBA or MFIN? I'll do the CFA regardless if i make this move. MBA appears to open doors while a MFIN would probably give me a stronger finance background.
Rotman and Queens both have MFIN programs. Otherwise I'm considering Ivey or Rotman MBA programs.
Any advice is appreciated.






I think you have enough
I think you have enough school qualifications and could land a job by networking and finding a mentor in the area of finance you wold like to move into.
I feel like an MBA is more
I feel like an MBA is more versatile. Take my advice with a grain of salt, I have not done any research on this.
Other than the recruiment
Other than the recruiment advantages of a MFIN I think there would be some duplication between the MFIN and CFA, so in that case an MBA may be the better choice. Queens, Rotman, and Ivey are all CFA partner institutes which means that their finance would closely resemble the CFA curriculum and you could get Level 1 out of the way and maybe even Level 2 by the time you graduate.
If you want to land a job at
If you want to land a job at ideal firm, I would say networking is the key. MBA will give you more networking resource than MFIN. Also, if you like macro analysis and short-term trading, CFA is not that valuable to you though.
Why do you want to move away
Why do you want to move away from energy trading?
You have enough qualifications to network and land a job (or apply internally through your firm)
Maybe do the CFA while your'e networking
Appreciate all the good
Appreciate all the good comments. Thank you.
I'm not specifically looking to get out of energy trading but my firm is going through a re-org and our desk more than likely wont exist. It's either take another position with the firm, ie analyst of some sort, or be laid off. I'm not sure i want to take a different job that i wont enjoy or have an interest in. Life is too short. I've always had an interest in working for an investment management company. Maybe someone like PH&N, Gluskin Sheff, or mutual fund company etc. I'm sure there are many more. Asset allocation, research, you name it. I'm not too confident in finding another spec trading position in the field I'm in. There are very few of us around and just as few opportunities but nonetheless i'll be talking to some hedge funds shortly.
Anyhow, I have no issues with using this as an opportunity to get more education and broaden myself. Question is what to pursue.