Starting a Career Path Towards a IB or Trader
Hello, I'm currently a high school sophomore. I am very interested on finding ways to start early on the field I might choose (Investment Banker or Trader). I'm trying to get advice from people to get a better understanding on the knowledge required to be an IB or Trader (eg. information about internships, research). I want to be prepared early so I can get a general feel for the paths I choose and wether or not I will like it going into college.
The only thing you need to know is whether you think it's worth it to spend $160k to be at a school that will make it 10x easier to break into any of these groups. Assuming you are smart enough to get into those schools in the first place.
Other than that, you are way too young to be worried about this stuff.
Hey OP
I was like you, a wee lad in high school looking to make money, but here is some advice:
You can't have a set career path as it is nearly impossible, and not having one has its benefits. i.e. a family friend of mine was deadset on becoming a bond trader during the 90's but did not land a role on a desk. Instead he took a commercial lending position as a bank and has more money than all the MD's I know combined because he was driven and was good at it. Simple as that (also a lot of leverage).
All you have to do at this point in life is have fun, get good grades, and again, have fun. The finance lifestyle is not as glorious as people make it out to be.
Consider taking up a sport to get yourself into a top college along with your grades. Also perform community service and get involved in your school.
Lastly, don't form a career path right now, or even in college for that matter. Work hard, figure out your strengths and build a skill set for a career once you find your niche.
Actually lastly, see if over next summer you can get a part-time WM internship. It would only help. Also once you know what college you are attending - begin networking...even as a senior.
number one: go to an Ivy League, Little Three, "Public Ivy" (UMich AA, UNC-CH, UCLA, UCB, UT-Austin), or Duke/JHU/UChicago. A 3.5 English major from those schools easily, EASILY, beats out a 3.8 finance major from Lafayette or Hofstra. number two: if you don't go to those schools (target schools), you pretty much MUST major in finance or accounting.
I learned the hard way. I did neither and am paying the price. Snobby and pretentious, yes, but also true. The people who'll say "it doesn't really matter where you go" are LYING.
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