switching rotations, is this allowed, how to approach HR

I just received my second rotation for S&T SA (we get 2) and it is Structuring, which I really do not want. Is there a way I can switch? If I ask HR will I be pissing them off? What I really wanted to do was Trading.

FYI, we were given a list of rotations and to rank them in a list. Structuring was not on my list and I have no idea how I got it.

BTW, noticed there is usually 1 Desk for every 2 intern, but Strategy has 5-6 interns. Why does Strategy need so many interns (besides internal business needs?).

6 Comments
 

perhaps its not as bad as you think... give it a shot and see how it goes... as your other thread shows, it has exit ops and you'll learn a lot

looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?
 
FXSA2010I just received my second rotation for S&T SA (we get 2) and it is Structuring, which I really do not want. Is there a way I can switch? If I ask HR will I be pissing them off? What I really wanted to do was Trading.

FYI, we were given a list of rotations and to rank them in a list. Structuring was not on my list and I have no idea how I got it.

BTW, noticed there is usually 1 Desk for every 2 intern, but Strategy has 5-6 interns. Why does Strategy need so many interns (besides internal business needs?).

Also interested.

 
Best Response

Look... I did my SA in Trading... I did my full-time as an FX Exotics Trader... and now going back as an Associate in the same role. And to be honest, in an ideal world, I'd be an FX Exotics Structurer, but, they dont need me as a Structurer so I'm a trader.

I'm going to explain this to you once, and I hope you listen closely.

As an SA at a BB in trading, you will not get to take any risk. Do you understand what I'm saying? You will grab lunch, coffee, create reports and write VBA, but you will not trade. So...do you know many desks determine which kid to give the FT offer to? Who they liked most and who never messed up starbucks runs. They really aren't going to get a chance to see what you have to offer in any concrete sense.

Here's where your lucky...

In your structuring role, you'll probably be fortunate enough to work with a Structurer who really gives a shit what your ideas are because that's what his job entails: trade idea generation. He's going to care that you acquire an in-depth understanding of the derivatives your desk trades. Believe me, it is possible to be an SA in derivatives trading and get stuck in a role where the traders don't want to "teach" you. I can almost guarantee this WILL NOT happen under a structurer.

Point I'm making? It's is highly likely that you may learn more about TRADING from a Structuring SA rotation than from a Trading rotation.... read what I just wrote over an over. You know why? because the structurer supervising you may very well teach you a few more things about the derivatives the desk trades than the guys who are just tasked with making sure Delta, Vega and Gamma are as close to 0 as possible.

At the end of the summer, you may well have proven yourself the most valuable intern they had because you really got to contribute ideas that were validated by your supervisor. And when they sit down and look over all the kids who interned...

This can happen:

John Smith--good coffee runs James Johnson--likeable guy Jason Thompson--good VBA scripts Timmy Goodman--messed up my latte FXSA2010---insightful structuring ideas

...you know who I'm hiring?

--FXTrader

 
FXTraderLook... I did my SA in Trading... I did my full-time as an FX Exotics Trader... and now going back as an Associate in the same role. And to be honest, in an ideal world, I'd be an FX Exotics Structurer, but, they dont need me as a Structurer so I'm a trader.

I'm going to explain this to you once, and I hope you listen closely.

As an SA at a BB in trading, you will not get to take any risk. Do you understand what I'm saying? You will grab lunch, coffee, create reports and write VBA, but you will not trade. So...do you know many desks determine which kid to give the FT offer to? Who they liked most and who never messed up starbucks runs. They really aren't going to get a chance to see what you have to offer in any concrete sense.

Here's where your lucky...

In your structuring role, you'll probably be fortunate enough to work with a Structurer who really gives a shit what your ideas are because that's what his job entails: trade idea generation. He's going to care that you acquire an in-depth understanding of the derivatives your desk trades. Believe me, it is possible to be an SA in derivatives trading and get stuck in a role where the traders don't want to "teach" you. I can almost guarantee this WILL NOT happen under a structurer.

Point I'm making? It's is highly likely that you may learn more about TRADING from a Structuring SA rotation than from a Trading rotation.... read what I just wrote over an over. You know why? because the structurer supervising you may very well teach you a few more things about the derivatives the desk trades than the guys who are just tasked with making sure Delta, Vega and Gamma are as close to 0 as possible.

At the end of the summer, you may well have proven yourself the most valuable intern they had because you really got to contribute ideas that were validated by your supervisor. And when they sit down and look over all the kids who interned...

This can happen:

John Smith--good coffee runs James Johnson--likeable guy Jason Thompson--good VBA scripts Timmy Goodman--messed up my latte FXSA2010---insightful structuring ideas

...you know who I'm hiring?

--FXTrader

Thanks, not feeling too bad about Structuring anymore.

 

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