Valuation Control to Trading?

Hi All, I am currently interviewing for a Valuation Control position in an equity derivatives group, while currently working in a big 4 derivatives valuation group as a senior analyst for about one year. I have a quant finance background and level 2 of the CFA so far, and have always been trying to make it into derivatives trading. Coming out of school I took the first offer I got, which turned out to be a colossal mistake, as I absolutely loathe the valuation work I am currently doing. While in school I got some structuring/sales/trading interviews but never made it past the final round. Two times I was told that the company was deciding between me and an inside hire, and went with the inside hire. I got to re-interview for new positions at those companies as I had done well, but never ended up getting positions there. With this in mind, I think I am fairly prepared/qualified for a trading or structuring position, but since taking a job in the big 4 I have stopped getting any S&T interviews.

I wanted to see if anyone here has any insight as to whether I would be able to make it from a valuation control group onto the front office derivatives trading desk. I would be working with traders/sales/structurers on a daily basis, but would technically be in a different part of the bank. Do you think this is a decent route to go, or should I really push for cold emailing people in S&T to try and build a network and eventually jump straight into the front office?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

*As a note, I've seen this topic: wallstreetoasis......./forums/valuation-control-groups but wanted to ask a more specific question. Hopefully it isn't too redundant.

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