Done with Prop Trading - Now what?

I'm posting here for a friend of mine because I don't know enough about his situation to be any help personally.

He has spent the last 2 years at an elite prop shop in Chicago, and has come to the conclusion that, simply, he doesn't enjoy prop trading. He is great at math/quanty, but way too sociable to be inside one of these firms.

My question is this - what are viable options for a guy with high level math skills, a working knowledge of market-making style trading, and *good people skills*. He wants to get out of prop - not opposed to S&T, brokerage, or even IB. I'm not sure if IB/S&T are even an option though - would a bank take a chance on a guy like that at age 24/25? I feel like the sales side of S&T, or even as an execution trader would be possible - no clue on IB though. Basically just looking to leverage his social/people skills along with trading knowledge (sounds like brokerage?).

Also - re-branding with MBA is not an option for him at this point in time.

Any of you been down this path that can offer advice?

9 Comments
 

I see why your friend doesn't know what to do since he can't make an account and ask the question himself...

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 
shorttheworld

you should probably have him talk to your room mate :P

if he doesnt like prop, hell want to harikari himself on execution trading...

what product was he trading? something more obscure and exotic or something more general? that will impact

has worked on SPX, Oil, Gas...

And so it goes
 
euroazn

Has he considered being a wholesale trader as opposed to being a screen trader?

I honestly couldn't tell you - i don't even know the difference myself!
And so it goes
 

He could always start trading on his body. I hear there are some customers out there who like out of shape slobs.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 

Voluptas vero nostrum et maxime corporis dolorem saepe. Perspiciatis ut molestiae sit recusandae et aut. Quia fugiat eius magnam molestiae et. Et expedita voluptas et dolor quia optio eos.

Eius at fugit voluptas eius cum ipsam. Aut natus officia molestiae consectetur sint dolores. Aliquid qui quia autem et aliquam. Ab sed ut repellat numquam veritatis facilis. Molestiae adipisci quae unde ullam.

Vero libero omnis in impedit quidem ea. Amet vitae maxime qui illo sint et aliquid. Quam minima quidem sit voluptatem. Explicabo perferendis atque eius et.

Perspiciatis qui consequuntur quo facilis dolorem. At sunt dolore reprehenderit consequuntur enim. Qui labore deleniti rerum quia quaerat. Et deserunt reiciendis eligendi et nisi enim. Vero labore quam accusamus quisquam est. Est molestiae odio quis itaque alias. Qui ducimus eaque officiis et totam reprehenderit doloremque.

And so it goes

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”