Kershner Trading Group (Prop Shop in Austin TX)

Hi, I have a possible in at Kershner Trading Group in Austin TX. They supply you 100% of the capital you trade with but there is no salary. Its purely preformance based. Im fresh out of undergrad (finance and accounting major). Kershner trains you, mentors you, ect. It sounds like its around 3 months before your out of the training stage and off to make your own money.

I know very little really about prop shops. How much money does a average trader make? On average how long does it take to start pulling in enough to get by without having to rely on your savings/2nd job?

If you had a FT 2year analyst job offer at a BB bank would you take that over prop shop? Even if you really wanted to trade? Yet, you would most likely have to ask your parents to help you for awhile and/or get a night job.

Any input on this Kershner Trading Group would be appreciated.

Thanks

9 Comments
 

really? over a BB's generalist financial analyst position in NYC? I mean i think Kershner would be alot of fun as a job. Very exciting, stressful (i like), yet decent hours, competitive, and great life long learning experience but it has no job security what so ever. You arent paid jack shit unless you preform and whos the say I will. I have school loans to payoff so I just cant see working for Kershner as a realistic posibility. Do you have any idea of how much most guys pull first year?

 

There a big sponsor of our school's (UT of course) Investor Association. Basically the way they hire is completely through networking. If you know somewhere there, and show interest in working there, then they may take you in. You have about a year to prove yourself and if you don't show something good, you're out.

It's a great firm, lots of cool people there (very casual--they came in jeans/tshirt to our meeting), and really into what they do.

 

Here's the deal with Kershner...

  • Proprietary trading firm - you trade the firm's money. Pure trading, nothing else.
  • No salary at ALL. You take home 30% of what you make for the firm. This is on accrual basis, so if you lose 50k your first year you have to make it all back before you earn a single penny.
  • Most people don't make it (according to their HR). Most first/second years have a 2nd job since they don't make anything.
  • Has a "boiler room" feel to it.
  • Either you make it big or you don't at all

Source: Visited their trading floor/office twice

 

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