What other cools jobs in finance are there besides trading (my opinion)?
I'm a recent grad in finance/economics, and outside of a couple of crappy brokerage (Financial Adviser) offers which I declined, I am unable to find work.
My work experience goes something like this: Crappy restaurant jobs: 4 years, Sales 2 Years & Trading my own account 2 years.
I know several people in the same boat as me with better resumes than mine (at least professionally). As you would expect in this economy, most are unemployed or working crappy sales jobs. However, at least one of which has been successful making over a million trading futures.
I've learned a lot about myself the past two years. I love trading--the intellectual and emotional challenge it presents. I am resolved to take that a step further and program my own auto trading software + strategies to sell to the public.
Although, I've been successful in trading (paying down all my expenses & more than any salaried job), I have had a few brief draw downs. It also kind of sucks I can't contribute to a Roth IRA unless I form an LLC. So, I'd really appreciate some advice on these questions:
1. Am I deluding myself by taking a sales, marketing, analyst, adviser, broker, PE, or investment banking offer? Here's my dillema: I love trading and don't think I could live without it. Is it a waste of talent for me to even bother here? I mean, more than 40 hours a week for me is kind of pushing it. I need my time to think, read, write, and sleep.
2. If I don't decide to branch into one of the above, am I completely screwed in terms of professional opportunities? Like would these count for anything?: Prop Trading, Starting a farm/business, + Sole Trading Performance? If I all of the sudden **** up at 30, would I be SOL because of my age (not saying that it's likely, but you never know with hackers/nukes/broker buyout)?
3. I have contacts within two major investment banks--we're pretty close. If I applied to these investment banks normally, they would probably scrap my resume for not seeing a 4.0 gpa. Would I be a fool not to use them to help get me on a trade desk?
Any advice or recommendations for cool finance jobs would be helpful. Thanks.
1) If working more than 40 hours/week isn't palatable, you shouldn't waste your time. If you were to get any of the above jobs, you'd likely burn out or be an underperformer versus peers.
2) Yeah, trading your own account doesn't lend itself to other potential jobs other than trading.
3) See #1. Anyone else should utilize those connections, but it sounds like it'd be a waste for you.
I don't know if there are cool finance jobs like the ones you are looking for. If you had the skillset, then working for a start-up might be fun, but also a ton of work. But since you are a recent grad, the only finance opportunities that might be available to you would be entry level, and none of those will be cool / fun.
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