Advice for a freshman

I am a freshman at a target (not sure if that is entirely relevant) who wants to work in trading (not sure in what product group yet). There is not much information out there about S&T recruiting compared to IB or PE and am hoping to gain some insight.

For context, my GPA is currently in a very good place and I am studying finance. I do not have a ton of coding experience but I am good with math/market concepts and so far have taken one statistics class.

What is the recruiting process like? How much networking should I be doing? Are there any internships I should be shooting for over my freshman and sophomore summers? Are there any recommended resources to prepare for interviews? Any other advice is greatly appreciated as well.

2 Comments
 

For a freshman aiming for a career in Sales & Trading (S&T), here's a breakdown of actionable advice based on the most helpful WSO content:

  1. Recruiting Process:

    • S&T recruiting is less structured compared to IB or PE. It often involves a mix of technical and behavioral interviews, with a focus on market knowledge, mental math, and sometimes coding (depending on the desk).
    • Start preparing early by understanding market trends, reading financial news (e.g., WSJ, Bloomberg), and familiarizing yourself with trading concepts.
  2. Networking:

    • Networking is crucial, even at a target school. Reach out to alumni working in S&T roles, attend on-campus events, and schedule coffee chats.
    • Build relationships with professionals who can vouch for your interest and skills. Networking can help you secure interviews and stand out in a competitive pool.
  3. Freshman and Sophomore Internships:

    • For your freshman summer, aim for internships that demonstrate interest in finance or markets. Options include:
      • Local boutique firms.
      • Corporate finance roles.
      • Startups or small trading firms.
    • For sophomore summer, target more relevant roles like internships at trading firms, hedge funds, or even rotational programs at larger banks.
  4. Resources for Interview Prep:

    • Focus on developing a strong understanding of market concepts, mental math, and basic coding (Python or VBA can be helpful).
    • Use resources like WSO guides, Vault guides, and books like "Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives" by John Hull.
    • Practice behavioral questions to craft a compelling story about your interest in trading.
  5. Other Advice:

    • Join your university’s investment or trading club to gain hands-on experience and leadership opportunities.
    • Stay updated on market trends and practice explaining them concisely.
    • Consider learning basic coding to enhance your technical skills, as some desks value programming knowledge.

By focusing on these steps, you'll position yourself well for S&T recruiting and build a strong foundation for future opportunities.

Sources: Non-Target Recruiting Guide Part I: Resume and Networking, Two Internships Later: What I wish I Knew While Recruiting! (Toronto), Freshmen: What to do during your freshman year summer, As a freshman what should I be doing?, In Search of Wisdom

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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