Job shadow at bank

Hey,

I am a freshman who has a connection with a family friend who is a group head at a bank in NYC in a fixed income trading division. I am going to be shadowing him for a day and he's going to take me out to lunch with a few traders and let me shadow a few guys.

Do you have any advice for me on how to best use this experience to my advantage. I'd love to work in bond/fixed income/something like that trading junior summer.

I'm currently at a non target, but will be hopefully transferring after sophomore year (doing well in school).

 
Best Response

I am applying to a few schools, however my High school performance (SAT and GPA) was not great due to an illness (cancer) that lasted throughout 2 years of my career. I was thinking it would be best to wait until after sophomore year to do it to prove that I am capable of doing well. I will end this semester with about a 3.7. Should I transfer after this year if I can? I think I can probably (very likely) get a 3.7 again next semester.

The idea behind transferring after sophomore year for me was that if I were to transfer after the first year, more weight would be put on my high school grades, which sucked because of my shitty health experience. However if I were to transfer after sophomore year I would have freshman and sophomore grades under my belt and high school grades would be ignored.

 
fromtheshadows:

There's no secret you'll find asking this here. Wear a suit. Introduce yourself confidently when you first meet. His job is his priority and you are the shadow. Ask insightful questions when it seems appropriate. Be genuinely interested in the business.

This. There's only so much you can do in one day. Trying to dissect his strategy, etc. would not only probably be a fruitless endeavor, but also a waste of time. Don't be afraid to ask about networking strategies, and things of that sort.

 

I am assuming you have been on dates, right? just use your experience from that. although if your dates are anything like mine, for this occasion keep your hands and fingers out in the sun at all times (unless they are cool with that sort of action of course). if never been on a date, well then you are sort of fucked (unfortunately not literally) :) Good luck!!!

"I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. " -GG
 

Basically this is your chance to be a sponge and absorb as much information as possible. If you can take short notes without burying your head in the paper for the whole day, bring along a notebook and pen to jot down things you don't understand or valuable career advice. And, if possible, try to meet some of the admins while you're there. They're often the gatekeepers for the place and can more easily give you a wealth of info rather than distracting some more senior people away from their jobs. Don't try to jut in when you're there, but make those connections you're going to need later on.

"He was the guy who always won the game of chicken because his opponents suspected he might actually enjoy a head-on collision."
 

Not sure what kind of company or division this is but my advice:

Since you're gaining that position because your roommate's father is the CFO, make sure you don't come across as the snob who got in through the easy way. Be polite, show initiative, be humble, asks for business cards and keep in touch with these people. Basically, just be nice but work as hard as possible.

When dealing with senior people try to remember that they can be extremely busy. It will be good if you don't make them repeat the same thing twice. carry a note pad etc

 

Nope, but it sounds like an amazing opportunity. Working on any bond desk at a BB is my dream job. Try to learn as much as possible without annoying or getting the way of the traders, and use it as an opportunity to network see if trading is actually the career you would like to pursue. Good luck, and enjoy it.

"Well, you know, I was a human being before I became a businessman." -- George Soros
 
Futures Trader Man:
Nope, but it sounds like an amazing opportunity. Working on any bond desk at a BB is my dream job. Try to learn as much as possible without annoying or getting the way of the traders, and use it as an opportunity to network see if trading is actually the career you would like to pursue. Good luck, and enjoy it.

I don't understand the big deal about bonds. What's so attractive about them? For me it's exotic credit/rates/FX derivatives or bust.

 

1) Bring a small notebook just for scribbling down stuff you see and notes/questions. 2) Don't be an asshole. 3) Use common sense

That's about it.

CNBC sucks "This financial crisis is worse than a divorce. I've lost all my money, but the wife is still here." - Client after getting blown up
 

good luck man let us know how it goes... i am shadowing at Citi also in 2 weeks.

also- are you going to put this on your resume? if you dont really have relevant finance experience it may look good

 
colajo01:
good luck man let us know how it goes... i am shadowing at Citi also in 2 weeks.

also- are you going to put this on your resume? if you dont really have relevant finance experience it may look good

which desk are you shadowing?. PM or email me. would love to talk to you

 

I am just a rising junior at a non-target trying to network in... I am not sure I can be of much assistance.

Surajjani I will PM you, and Donald how can I help you?

 
colajo01:
I am just a rising junior at a non-target trying to network in... I am not sure I can be of much assistance.

Surajjani I will PM you, and Donald how can I help you?

I'm in the same boat as you. Hopefully, I'll be shadowing a credit derivatives desk at the end of summer. I'm in the process of setting up a three day networking trip and am trying to include some shadowing in addition to meetings. Are you going to be on the desk for the whole day? Do you have any tips on how to convince contacts to let shadow them?

 

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