My Introduction/My Misery/My Aspirations

Hello All,

I am writing here to introduce myself.

Let me start with a little background, where I would like to go, etc. This maybe quite long and don't know how to write an abridged version. So here goes:

I went to a SUNY school where I partied and goofed around. I majored in Economics with a minor in Business Administration, never took any internships and graduated during the "crash" of 2008. I worked retail for about 2-3 years, at the time a buddy worked Operations in a F500 Commercial Bank. He set me up with an interview and here I am. Lets fast forward 4 years later. Four days will mark my four year anniversary. I absolutely loathe this job as it is not providing any intellectual stimulation and I know my market value to be more than I am currently being compensated with.

Last week I had an interview with a BB for a compliance role. If the offer is presented to me I will most likely be taking it. This position should give me more exposure to traders, licensing etc.

The question I have and its been presented here time and time again is... how do I make the eventual leap to FO or a more intriguing/higher salaried position.

Sad part is I will be 28 at the end of this month and I am HUNGRY but it seems nothing ever pans out.

Had an interview with a PE firm a few years back to work in an middle office role as trade support on a Oil Trading desk, they decided to go with another candidate because my price tag was too "high".

I had another interview at a smaller shop basically doing what I do now. The quality of life/compensation wasn't the right trade off.

Every recruiter pitches me on the I will get you into a smaller shop, working Ops there will give you exposure and possibly your best chance at moving to the FO. Is this true? I mean all these guys really give a shit about is making a rip.

Any tips/advice/etc. would be amazing.

Thanks Monkeys!