South African trading/research

Hi all,

Quick question: Im a new member so try to be gentle. Im from South Africa and just graduated with an excellent GPA but cant find a job. I friend said that the reason is my degree is South African. It also doesnt help that in SA there is no culture of internships during college. So my only experience is on a private basis, trading (which ive been doing from age 13). So do I have a chance in trading? Or would something like equity research be easier? For either option, which initial jobs might be a) available and b) useful? Ta

edit: I now live in NYC

6 Comments
 

If you have an excellent GPA it should compensate if your school has a bad reputation. But I think it sounds strange that the nationality of the school is not "good enough".

But if you want to get into finance in NYC and you already live there why not apply for a master's there? Or do you already have a master?

 

Im considering going that route. I took a few extra years doing undergrad so Im a bit older than other first-year hires. That is another reason I might do undergrad. My concern is that I might not be able to get into a great mba program without at least some finance work experience.

 

Okay, but there are plenty of pre-experience masters in Europe. A1 yr master may suit you if you think you are old.. But may I ask how old you are? In most cases when people think that it is a non-issue.. Are you in your mid-thirties?

 

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