PLEASE let me know what I would be best fit for professionally.

Hey guys, so I wanted to ask where you guys think I would be best fit to make a lateral move into. I have looked into IB, corporate finance,and Consulting and I am still having issues choosing a clear career path. I actually graduated and worked a bit in Public Accounting in Audit, the problem was that I found the work especially in cash reconciliations very boring. The AP Aging testing, Payroll Testing it was boring I never felt any value to my work because I wasn't contributing to anything tangible (financial statement audit). My school was a feeder school for the big 4 and so it was very very accounting centric so that's where I started off. I always enjoyed finance and wanted to break in so I finally got my break working at a Trading firm as a Prop Trader. I enjoyed the work but as is in the field of trading sometimes its hit or miss and I just wasn't able to maintain a consistent, positive pnl. Now I am left with the bag open just looking at where I want to direct my career next. I have an offer with another Trading firm and thats the problem Trading doesn't give you much in the ways of exit strategies Trading leads to more Trading and if your not built for it you may have to lateral to another field. I am hard working I really wanted to do well in Trading I would be in the office looking at technical levels reviewing plays til 8-10 at night when all the traders had left. I even went to the office on Saturdays and Sundays to get an edge and learn from the markets but it just wasn't a good fit. I want to do meaningful engaging interesting work and work really hard and advance in it. I enjoy the Capital Markets and Finance because of its complexities. I enjoy breaking things down and trying understand them. Please guys help me find my next direction. It would be greatly appreciated.

5 Comments
 
Best Response

But seriously...You need to just calm down. You're too focused on the future so much that it leads to the following incoherent sentences:

"I have an offer with another Trading firm and thats the problem Trading doesn't give you much in the ways of exit strategies Trading leads to more Trading and if your not built for it you may have to lateral to another field. "

"Meaningful work" is a subjective term. What makes you happy? So you aren't making the cut in trading for the moment, who gives a fawk, but does it make you happy? You don't need to worry about exit opportunities if you work hard and network. You'll be able to do what you want. Just define what you think is "meaningful" and don't get hung up on PNLs, "Big Fours" and other shizz just because you think this is what the financial world declares is "meaningful". If you want something really dynamic other than trading I would consider business consulting. Every day is something new and- especially if you're working for small businesses- you're helping to effectuate real change in society. That's one way to define 'meaningful'.If you like complexities, go back to school and get a degree in something quantitative. Maybe Quant trading? You will only be limited by your own mind.

 

Sounds like you went to UMD (Username plus....I went there as well). PM for some insight on career transitions..

Authored by: Certified Corporate Development Professional - Director
 

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