start firing off the questions

First, thanks for putting this group together.

After finishing undergrad I began trading the spot FX market and started a very small startup to offer various trader services like managed account, market commentary, and trader mentoring.

I went back for my MBA to gain exposure to an energy curriculum that includes two course that teach about trading energy products from crack spreads, to long dated futures contracts via hedge ratio proxies, to front month futures, etc...

Other topics include building and managing delta hedging models in excel and with VBA, building algorithmic models, just to name a few.

I'll be finishing in May and realize there are a few routes to take. I've applied to major groups like Shell, Chevron, etc.., but the trader in me really is attracted to CTA type shops. However, that being said, I feel like working for a major oil company would give me a more holistic understanding of how those markets work.

Yet given this job market, I am open to either one because neither has pros or cons that strongly outweigh each choice. So...

Clearly all I can do for the major companies is apply online because their sites are easy to find. But how can I begin to locate the various CTAs, Hedge Funds, and prop shops? Without being an accredited investor it is very difficult to get my hands on much concrete information.

Any thoughts about this or about breaking into the biz would be VERY much appreciated!