Any info on TRIP (Trading, Risk and Investments Program) at Texas A&M?
I'm looking to break into commodities & energy desks, but I was curious if anyone had any experience as/with any TRIP grads? It looks like a cool program, but it's a heavy commitment and quite niche compared to IB/PE/etc..
Great as a pathway into back office roles.
Multiple phys traders at my firm came out of TRIP, I play golf with another who is a CRO at a different firm, and a bunch more are scheduling. If you want a guaranteed foot in the door at boutique commodity merchants and major houses, TRIP is probably the best program in the country aside from an Ivy League resume.
I’d argue TRIP is way better. I have an “Ivy” resume and pedigree doesn’t lead to any leads. Unlike banking, I get a sense that phys trading is much more about experience
The seem to place well in majors (esp. Shell)
Decent program. Good way to get physical experience. Nothing special though. If you're thinking Texas, UT/Rice kids will have the same opportunities as you by simply networking. The majority of senior traders in Texas, especially financial/paper, are UT or Rice alumni. If you're focused on trading in general, major prop shops recruit and will give UT or Rice guys interviews but would be very hard to get a look coming from A&M.
financial may be dominated with ut/rice but TRIP definitely dominates physical trading. pretty cool program, guarantees 3 internships in physical with some companies only picking interns from TRIP. if you want to do physical it gives you a guaranteed spot in the industry. other schools may be better for financial but if you want to do physical there's really nothing better
I bring up paper because OP seems to be worried about exit opps
No way. You will never find A&M alumni at hedge funds except in back office roles, presuming they can even land one. A&M is the 4th best college in the state of Texas, zero chance Texas A&M alumni will be competitive for roles in an industry that regularly recruits Ivy League caliber talent
A school so shitty one of their grads was CEO of Bridgewater.
How much do you want to bet?
“Never”
“Zero chance”
Lol
I’ll join nattyphizz’s bid
I just graduated from TRIP. I’m currently scheduling Gas for a prop desk at a major. Check back with me in 10 years. I can guarantee you I will be trading for a HF or merchant shop. Just because you have an Ivy League education… doesn’t mean you have Ivy League common sense. Kids are bots…
Ever heard of David Coolidge bud?
I’m already at A&M, but the nice thing is I’m ok with a physical desk. Paper would probably be preferred, but I could transfer from physical -> paper and then paper to other things in finance if I wish. Idk if that sounds irrational or not but it’ll def be hard to overcome UT & rice.
Most major prop shops do not develop their own traders. They may take analysts out of college but the majority hire traders with experience from BP, Shell, etc. TRIP has grads every year place into rotational programs at the oil majors that end in trading roles a lot of the time. Doing TRIP and eventually ending up as a trader at a major prop shop is definitely possible.
When Im talking about prop shops im referencing more so market making firms that focus on equities more so than those that focus on commodities.
I’m from a top Northeast school. Had I known that I wanted to do physical trading since freshman year I would have turned down the schools I got offers from and gone straight into A&M’s TRIP program hands down. It is by far the best program I’ve seen placement for. Just peruse Linkedin and you’ll see virtually everyone end up with FT offers at super majors, merchant houses, and the like. Mercuria is an especially popular FT exit and most become traders while getting paid 100k base in HTX. The entire industry is flooded with talent from A&M. UT / Rice are much more focused on NYC IBD and have HOU as backup. Not sure why the weird A&M hate but I would embrace this opportunity you have.
Thanks for the advice!
Hey man I actually am in TRIP right now. I’m on my first of the 3 internships right now. Long story short, if you are interested in trading commodities there is not a lot of better places to be. Don’t listen to the haters here, TRIP produces dozens of kids making 100k+ straight out of school in HTX, networks them with lots of great companies, and puts them on a path to future success whether that comes as a trader or not. Even if you aren’t sure on trading but interested in Energy it’s honestly the best place to be at A&M. If you have any more questions just ask.
Sounds awesome! I’ll hyu and we can talk more if you’re willing to!
Of course man just send me a chat
Hey can I also pm you about the TRIP application process? My sister who is a finance major at A&M applied to the program this semester and we're curious what the whole process looks like. Thanks! :)
How was the application?
I have worked at two firms who have agreements with TRIP and we have found some diamonds in the rough but also some slacks. We pay to be in the program so you are kind of forced to hire. We have not seen any better or worse candidates then regular recruiting channels but it does get them in the door. A member of the first class was my summer intern and he was great. Others have been very good to terrible.
Tulane had a similar program 15 years ago and went through a period where every young trader in Houston was an alum...
I think the TRIP program overall is very good and gets people interested in commodities long term which is hard to do with most people outside of Texas. However they have had issues with people keeping jobs they accept or staying in roles long.
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