Expat looking for Post-Master's Employment in Markets Job

I recently finished a degree at LSE in Finance with distinction, and completed an undergraduate degree at a top public school in the states with a 3.5. I worked for two years in financial research for a major actuarial firm, and went to LSE because I wanted to shift into a markets related job in trading - interest is in EM/fixed income specifically (I'm also interested in oil/energy in terms of commodities). I was pretty unsuccessful applying to graduate positions this past Fall because I lacked direct trading experience, and by the time internships rolled around I was also ineffective, though partly because of bad luck. I was traveling in Asia in winter without internet access, and by the time I was able to access my e-mails for interview registration at 2 BB, they had been filled up.

I focused the following 2 months on exams, and now I am back to square one with applications. My Visa expires at the end of August, and I am beginning to find it highly unlikely that I will find a company willing to sponsor me by then (so far the requirement of UK sponsorship has eliminated a bunch of internship/analyst opportunities at smaller boutiques). I have a few contacts I have tapped into, but none that have proven useful or willing to help. I have also broadened my location horizons, but would really like to end up in either New York, London, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Dubai. Any suggestions on how to proceed - what sort of roles should I be looking for? Any hope left in the UK? Is anywhere outside of London or NY even feasible?

2 Comments
 

It depends what you want to do. I think you should apply everywhere if you don't want to be unemployed. Assuming that you are a US citizen, you might also consider going back home and network there to get into whatever field you want to get into. You should contact family friends in the field and maybe even LSE alums and from your undergrad institution. You might have to consider going back to your actuarial firm if nothing works out.

It will be very hard to find something, because most spots will be filled by now. However, you should focus on smaller companies that might still have an opening.

 
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