Break into trading

Hi, I am currently working as a valuation analyst outside of wall street. I have always wanted to get into trading but have never been able to crack the code. I went to an smaller school and because of a very fun first two years in college don't have an impressive GPA. I'm trying everything I can to get into trading, specifically energy, but haven't had much luck at all. My question is, for someone with my background how do I get into this industry???

3 Comments
 

short answer...you missed the boat for the front door (standard recruiting)

you can try the backdoor (learn to code Excel VBA, Python, etc...)...get a job at an investment bank doing trading related tech for 1-2 years, and then after performing very well, indicate interest in joining a trading desk)

Or you can try the retail route...
https://www.smbtraining.com/blog/futures</a">https://www.smbtraining.com/blog/futures

just google it...you're welcome
 
Most Helpful

You can certainly look for jobs at a trading desk doing more of a support role, but to piggyback off hat faceslapping said, learn technology and gain the tech and quant skills needed to perform on a desk. Stay away from Trading Operation gigs, because those are a waste of time. To give you an idea, I started out in Capital Markets at a Fortune 100 Bank, and eventually worked my way onto a Mortgage Desk where I currently trade derivatives. Let me know if you need any help further, I would be happy to help guide you.

 

Non tempore expedita aut dolorem omnis amet et mollitia. Fugit quis illum ipsa vitae enim commodi. Eius sit ut consequatur magnam. Culpa ea odio quibusdam id dolorum molestiae quae.

Est natus ratione dicta nesciunt. Reprehenderit provident ut enim numquam. Accusamus repudiandae et sed et.

Et vero laudantium sit rerum et voluptatem et. Voluptatem nostrum ut voluptatum ex. Dolor maxime officia atque et nostrum dolor. Est ut ad qui nam alias eaque. Sed aliquam alias earum repudiandae iure tempore. Maxime nam maiores atque quae. Et voluptas dolores asperiores in ratione nemo laboriosam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”