Still at school, need advice.
Hello there. Essentially, I am looking for advice on how to proceed. I am 15 years old, 16 on Sept. 11th, asperger's, (self-admittedly) rather above standard intelligence* with a working memory in the top 1% of the global population, and in the English year 10. I have a Virtual Trader account with a 5% portfolio increase over one month, but I was just messing around. I have taken maths and spanish GCSEs early (looking to take AS spanish next year), and this brings me onto my first question. I am bored at school, and am doing macro- and micro-economics AS coursebooks, as well as looking at A level physics. Next year I take the rest of my GCSEs, after which we have one week of work experience. I am looking for suggestions, and practical assistance on finding work experience at any major bank - I looked at a number of websites, but they all list internships and graduate schemes rather than work experience at my age. Also, realistically I only want to take a week's work experience in banking or physics, and a physics work experience week is incredibly difficult to come across.
I have thought about the future, and at the moment have maths, further maths and physics for A level, spanish and economics to AS. I would like to read physics at Cambridge (far away, I understand), as physics both intrigues me and seems so incredibly logical. Talking to a head hunter friend of my father's, I was told this was a good idea as, for example SFM look for those individuals with passions not necessarily directly economics. While one could easily say, possibly economics is not for me, I also have no intention of making physics my full time career. I was told that the physics at university --> graduate scheme at Goldman was the best way to go, but I am not too sure having heard that 80% of accepted applicants in fact turn down Goldman. What would be the best option to enter into the sector both generally and more specifically?
Just to reiterate, I have put a fair amount of thought into this.
Due to my asperger's, social interactions are difficult, and as such I have been looking at the role of an analyst, yet I am seeking more advice on this - I have only really paid attention to four roles (trader, broker, venture capital and analyst). Also, are there amalgamations of these roles, and would these be specific to a given firm? I enjoy getting my head down into a topic or problem that interests me, hence why analysing the worth of firms seems a good choice, but please, if you know of any job titles which include logical, mathematical thought with small, but still present, human interaction, please don't hesitate to correct me. Furthermore, I hear stories of 'the vampire bat Goldman sapping your life and time', and consistently hear reports of mental health issues, drug abuse and suicide, so would rather not put myself in such a role.
To summarise; pro or con work experience at a bank at 16, and if pro then do you have any information or assistance which I seem to have missed?
Have I made strong exam choices for the future? They are all changeable until December, so I have a while to weigh them up and decide.
Which path ought I to take to attain the best qualifications, experience and chances both on a long-term life scale and a short-term work experience scale?
Which role would suit me best? Do you know of any placements better suited to my present person and future skill set?
Thank you for any help on this - all assistance is greatly received.
David
* with a working memory in the top 1% of the global population and a very good ability to both learn and utilise data. (not being boastful or bigotted at all, simply being honest)
Just FYI; by quoting him, his userid (which initially contained his real name) will be here to stay unless you edit your post.
Won't let me edit it for some reason...Mods feel free to delete, if you see fit.
Thank you for the username advice, duly noted and acted upon. Source number one (http://www. businessinsider. com/80-percent-interns-turned-down-goldman-sachs-shocked-party-in-june-2011) Source number two - Your time is not your own, it's Goldman's time (http://www. businessinsider. com/goldman-sachs-job-sucks-2011?op=1#ixzz2UikxJ4kx) What is Quant trading, and what makes it so viable for me? Thank you for your reply, David
Is this a joke?
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