Breaking into Sales and Trading c/o 2025 from a West Coast Semi-Target
I've been following WSO throughout undergrad and have always found it helpful. Now, I’d appreciate some guidance on a perhaps unique situation.
I recently graduated a term early from [Semi-Target West Coast School] and interned in Asset Management at MS/GS/JPM this past summer. While I gained valuable experience, I realized I was more interested in Global Markets/S&T. I was upfront about this toward the end of my internship, but unfortunately, the office where I interned was not hiring full-time in that division—even for interns already in that division. My attempt to switch divisions also meant I did not receive a return offer, despite receiving positive feedback throughout the summer.
With about six months until full-time programs begin, I’m weighing my next steps: Should I pursue a Master’s? Try to land another internship despite already graduating? Explore off-cycle roles?
Would love to hear from anyone who has pivoted from AM to S&T or navigated a similar situation. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a roadmap to help you pivot from Asset Management (AM) to Sales & Trading (S&T):
Explore Off-Cycle Roles:
Leverage Your Asset Management Experience:
Network Aggressively:
Consider a Master’s Program:
Apply Broadly and Strategically:
Perfect Your Pitch:
Stay Active in the Markets:
Be Persistent:
If you’re open to unpaid or flexible internships, this could also help keep your resume fresh while you continue your search. Remember, the key is to stay proactive and leverage every opportunity to build relevant experience. Good luck!
Sources: Non-Target Undergrad to Non-Target Grad to Asset Management, Graduating MSF - no job, 2018 Sales and Trading Recruiting (Intern), Please Advise: Never-Ending Job Hunt, Breaking into long only Asset Management
Would honestly start pumping out applications for the summer 2026 internships and apply to masters to delay grad. Have seen masters students intern in trading from the top financial engineering, stats, and computational finance programs
Since you have already graduated I’d focus on getting any full time role that is somewhat applicable to S&T. Anything client facing and somewhat markets based will do, the goal is to get some experience, build your resume and grow your network within S&T. My firm has hired from PWM, buy side sales, junior buyside traders, ops, etc. Just got to get some experience and get your name out there. Desks are always on the lookout for junior hires who have a couple of years of somewhat tangential experience who can get up the curve faster than somebody out of college. While you are searching for that role continue to network with anybody you can in S&T you just never know who might be looking.
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lmao, Berkeley?
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