How good is Tulane's Masters in Energy Management for getting an Energy Trading gig?

Are there better graduate degrees out there? I'm worried even if I applied to a program like this I wouldn't get a trading job, because I don't have any internship experience with big firms.

A little bit about myself:
I've been going for my MS in Mathematics from a non-target part time while trading stocks at a prop shop (I put up capital and they give me leverage). I make money, but not much and I'm thinking about trying something different while still staying in trading. I'd like to go somewhere to learn from great traders. Last year I applied to Jane Street and could only make it to the 3rd round. I don't have any internships (just have been prop-trading for a little over a year) and my SAT's weren't great (for some reason they care about these even though I'm 24 now) so I can't find anybody willing to take a chance on me and teach me even though I'm capable of understanding really complex things.

 

I'm not qualified to speak on this topic, but this is my opinion...

I didn't know what happened with Tulane and US News until this topic prompted me to Google search. Similarly, if Tulane recruits already have a good showing on the street it is not because of its US News World Ranking--it is because Tulane students are good hires. I really doubt a MD, or whoever is interviewing you, has any idea what is going on with Tulane and US News. My .02c.

 
Best Response

Here is the issue with Tulane.

Tulane was always kind of the energy focused MSF program. They had the dominant position in the Gulf/Texas as the only other MSF programs in the area were night time professional programs or not really huge/prominent.

Joe LaBlanc was the driving force within Tulane and the energy space. So if you wanted to do energy in Texas, Tulane was the place you would want to go (within the MSF universe).

But Joe wanted something much more energy focused and Tulane agreed. They created this MEnergy masters which was entirely energy focused. So all the kids who knew they wanted energy went to this program instead of the MSF. So what was the MSF going to do now? On top of this Joe left a year or two ago. So now you have a bifurcated masters program with the leading force gone.

Add to that UT Austin coming out with an MSF and there are some serious issues. UT Austin is the powerhouse within Texas. IMO, not a good situation for Tulane to be in.

Going forward I could see Rice rolling out an MSF program and Texas A&M throwing more weight behind their current MSF offering. That would make things real competitive, but still, Tulane would be in a tough spot. Frankly, I think they should kill the MEnergy, roll it into the MSF and make their MSF an energy focused masters to differentiate themselves from UT Austin and other programs.

 

I'm guessing this places best into Texas?

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 

I have had bad experience with this program. Tried to call for two weeks straight to get in contact with someone about signing up for their energy trading competition in September as well as emails. Never got a response.

Let n be a fixed positive integer greater than 1...
 

From the research I've done on Tulane, you're most likely going to have to network to land an IB position. Tulane is respectable in NO and Houston. I'm sure through good grades and strong network you'd be able to land a decent boutique position out of Tulane.

If you're serious about banking then I would consider working for a few years in energy (corp fin) and then going for a good MBA program that is geared towards Energy.

 
MSFhopeful:
Anthony how do you think this will effect the "traditional" MFin program they have?

Mixed feelings. If you want me to be blunt, I think the energy program is going to gut the MSF program. Tulane is a huge energy school. Their average starting salary is pretty low, probably the average of decent energy placements with some lower placements. By taking all of the hardcore energy guys out of the program you are going to have some mediocre placements, IMO. Tulane is just too far from the scene to place in NYC, etc. Maybe they will be able to get some TX IB jobs, but you are completing with UTA, Rice, UH MSF, Tulane UG's, all the other top schools who might look down south AND now you are competing with your own brethren, the energy MSF kids.

I would have kept the MSF program, but offered an energy specialization or maybe incorporated energy into the whole program. MSF degree's need to offer a niche, something to make them stand out. This could have been their thing.

 

@anthony- Agreed. It seemed like energy placements were about the one thing their MSF had going for it post crisis, and now it looks like their divesting the value of it into this other degree. I was honestly considering the Tulane MSF for the exit opportunities I could get to energy research programs, but now that recruiting's being split...I'm not sure.

"The only point in making money is so you can tell some big shot where to go.” -Bogie
 

I would still consider it if I had a bit more information. For instance: How OCR will be handled, if the programs like Burkenroad research report will be available to the new degree, what they've done with industry contacts specific to this program, etc.

I'm still interested in Tulane as a school, I just don't quite get why they felt like they needed to spin this off of their MSF when energy/trading was mostly why people went there in the first place. Looking forward to more info on it.

"The only point in making money is so you can tell some big shot where to go.” -Bogie
 

Yeah the latter. Obviously not set on this as I'm still in ugrad, but a lot of factors make working in Houston in that sector fairly interesting.

I know Tulane's wasn't near the level of Princeton or MIT or anything as far as "prestige" goes but is the perception of it still ".. the old degree was filled with a bunch of finance 101 stuff"?

"The only point in making money is so you can tell some big shot where to go.” -Bogie
 

http://www.freeman.tulane.edu/cmc/docs/2013_MNRG.pdf

Starting base at $72k is nice, but that's only 6/29 students who listed salaries. There's some top names listed and some names I'm not too familiar with. I'm also not sure of what positions took at those quality names. I'm looking for a path to become a trader, not get stuck in a back office. Any insights from program graduates or people who know any graduates would be greatly appreciated. $80k would be a complete waste if it doesn't translate to an energy trading job.

 

MSF is prob your best shot. At this point, you still have a gap between others internship experience and yours, otherwise you'd beat out a lotta sub-50 USNWR school guys. If your a domestic, all you pretty much have to do to get into a lotta MSFs (Tulane, Brandeis, OSU, etc) is take the GMAT, tho with the top MSFs like Vandy, MIT, Princeton, you'd need a legit score.

 
JohnBrohan:

MSF is prob your best shot. At this point, you still have a gap between others internship experience and yours, otherwise you'd beat out a lotta sub-50 USNWR school guys. If your a domestic, all you pretty much have to do to get into a lotta MSFs (Tulane, Brandeis, OSU, etc) is take the GMAT, tho with the top MSFs like Vandy, MIT, Princeton, you'd need a legit score.

Thanks for your reply. I can ace the Math section, but I suck at the Verbal. I happened to be in Boston and went to an info session for MIT's MFIN. The admissions lady said my GRE Verbal (in the 400's) would be competitive with the international applicants. I looked at the statistics and profiles of kids attending the school and didn't even bother applying, they all blew me away. I think I would like to trade energy financials instead of physical. I just don't know how a company like BP, Shell, or the banks would perceive my experience day trading considering I wasn't able to make a living. A big problem with Tulane's Masters of Management in Energy is that it starts in the summer so there's no chance to get an internship for this year, unless I can get one during the year. What it does have is an awesome curriculum with applications that a MSF program just doesn't have.

 

I went to Joe LeBlanc's Linkedin page, and apparently he's no longer with Tulane. People on this forum have said that as a respected ex-energy trader with Shell he was the driving force behind the program. The listed curriculum is still awesome, but I don't know what else from the program has left with him. Does anybody have an opinion on what's better for breaking into energy trading...Tulane MNRG, SMU MSF, or UTA MSF?

 

While the curriculum looks pretty awesome it's not very selective and I've heard some bad things: 1. It's summer-spring so you can't get an internship 2. The professor with the most connections left a couple of years ago, I don't know if that void has been filled 3. They haven't put up their placement stats and I wouldn't do anything without seeing those first, if I remember correctly last year's placement stats weren't very good

 

Taking into account its MSF and other similar programs (Vanderbilt,Villanova,new OSU program),it should be with little WE.But its seems way too concentrated.I mean,what else can you do with this degree beside energy trading?You dont learn corporate finance,Asset Management,and even in trading you are restricted to energy,No equities,no FX,no fixed income (which is by far the most commonly traded sector).Even in commidities,you are restricted,no metals & minerals,just oil...

 

Know a lot of people who went to Tulane and work in IB and S&T if that is your end goal, especially if you want to be on the energy side of things pretty solid school. As far as the program itself goes not sure about it. The people I know either had their undergrad or MBA from Tulane can't imagine recruiting would be much different for someone with an MS of Energy.

'We're bigger than U.S. Steel"
 

I was accepted into the MNRG program and have already sent in my acceptance letter. I am really excited about this program and think very highly of the future opportunities that will become available. Have you made any further decisions regarding your choice of institution?

 

I was accepted into the MNRG program and have already sent in my acceptance letter. I am really excited about this program and think very highly of the future opportunities that will become available. Have you made any further decisions regarding your choice of institution?

 

Damn man, making waves with that BSD haha. I wish I could be there, keep kickin @ss!

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Will anyone be at this and can post about it? Im up in Canada and really interested in this program for next year...or anyone have thoughts on it? If its only been going for one year, how has it developed into a top trading program? Thanks....

 
brendo1:
Will anyone be at this and can post about it? Im up in Canada and really interested in this program for next year...or anyone have thoughts on it? If its only been going for one year, how has it developed into a top trading program? Thanks....

It's a spinoff from the normal Tulane MSF--which has excellent placement into energy. If you ask me, the normal MSF's job placement stats will probably drop considerable once Energy placement stats start going to the energy MSF.

"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
 
ButHopeful:
My guess is they're looking to fill more spots. It's too bad the program doesn't provide ANY kind of aid. I'm sure that would make it a lot more attractive.
Kinda makes me wonder about all that stuff the dude from the program said about the money grab culture he felt like existed there. Since I have met Joe, I have a hard time believing that is the case but one never knows.
If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

if there anyone applying this year?

my background: I'm from China. G730, TOEFL 109, gpa of Double bachelor (finance 3.52, chemistry 3.11), some internship in commercial bank.

Do I have chance?

 

I have recently been accepted to study for Tulane's Master of Energy program. I highly encourage you to apply, as your scores are very impressive and you have intern business experience.

I am from the United States, with undergraduate Bachelor's in Accounting; gpa 3.65 and 2 years accounting internship experience; GMAT score 630

Speaking with Joe LeBlanc is a good way to introduce yourself, as he is very important to the success of this program! I met with him and watched one of his lectures on campus while my application was pending. I was very impressed.

 

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