MBA looking to transition to trading... do I have a shot?

I've been working in communications (newspaper reporter, then public relations/media relations) since I graduated in 2006 and unfortunately I've come to completely hate this field. I decided to go back to school because I had the opportunity for a massive tuition waiver at my current job and I finished an MBA in finance with a 3.8 GPA last month. I was especially fascinated by futures trading (never even knew it existed before I was in grad school) and have been learning everything I could about it.

I'm looking to transition into some type of job in this field, but the problem is I'm almost 30 and I have no professional experience or even internships. The best I can say is that I've spent hundreds of hours working on a paper trading account trying to learn the ropes and reading books on the subject outside of school. I'm also applying for internships and working some connections I have at CME Group in Chicago, but nothing has panned out so far. I was also dismayed to see that it seems like most trading companies are looking for people from top-tier universities, and I went to a no-name school. Do I have any shot at breaking into this field?

 
Best Response
aceon:

You got the wrong degree IMO. Unless you are the type with outstanding test scores (GMAT, SAT), I would look elsewhere.

Dont be fooled- There aint no degree or piece of paper that is going to magically put you in perfect position to land a real trading seat. He would be no less screwed if he had his CFA, FE degree, etc.

I look at all of the colleagues around me with +ve PnL still getting sh*t canned left and right.

So there is like 5 qualified guys looking at the same seat. Throw in 10 inexperienced guys seeking that same one seat, albeit at a lower level.

Your best bet is to do a prop shop or get a shot at a regional dealer and work your way up. And I would advise against anything appearing to be middle or back office on the sellside

"Sounds to me like you guys a couple of bookies."
 

Est quia architecto voluptatem et nam aliquid. Accusamus voluptatem quos ut qui. Rem dolorum id enim reiciendis iste est a. Perferendis ut eius autem. Ipsa ut sed voluptatem minus. Dolore eius corrupti ut aspernatur. Omnis natus consequatur aut eum alias fugiat aut.

Nulla deleniti pariatur saepe alias distinctio aliquam. Est dolor vel qui sapiente. Id consectetur accusamus deserunt earum sed quod. Voluptas hic est deleniti provident nulla cumque reprehenderit. Officiis mollitia magnam voluptates ab veritatis. Veritatis sed et illum sed.

Voluptas eius perspiciatis eligendi est consectetur et illo cupiditate. Magnam qui dolorum libero temporibus. Temporibus provident quis explicabo laborum id laboriosam cum. Occaecati eum quia labore sapiente quis quod.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”