Breaking into Trading from IB
I have decided I hate investment banking and can't stand doing any more of it. I have about 1 year of full time IB experience and a finance degree with a 3.95 at a good academic (non-target) undergrad for context. I've also played poker full time and consider myself really good at the game and really enjoy game theory / math and anything adjacent to games / competition. Given all this, how do you guys recommend I pursue a career in trading / quant? I don't want a position that is too coding heavy but open to some if it's more about puzzle solving and trading itself.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a roadmap for transitioning from investment banking to trading or quant roles:
Leverage Your Poker and Game Theory Background: Your poker experience and passion for game theory/math are highly relevant to trading. Highlight these skills on your resume and in interviews, as they demonstrate your ability to think strategically, manage risk, and make decisions under pressure—key traits for a trader.
Target the Right Trading Roles: Since you prefer less coding-heavy positions, focus on roles like discretionary trading, market making, or execution trading. These roles emphasize decision-making, market intuition, and strategy over heavy programming.
Build Technical Skills Strategically: While you don’t want a coding-heavy role, having a basic understanding of Python or R can be beneficial. Many trading firms value candidates who can analyze data and automate simple tasks. Focus on learning coding as a tool for problem-solving rather than as the core of your job.
Highlight Your IB Experience: Your investment banking background gives you a strong foundation in financial markets and analysis. Emphasize your understanding of market dynamics, deal structuring, and financial instruments, as these are transferable to trading.
Network with Traders: Use platforms like LinkedIn, WSO forums, and alumni networks to connect with traders. Seek informational interviews to learn about their day-to-day responsibilities and hiring processes. Networking can also help you identify firms that align with your interests.
Consider Proprietary Trading Firms: Prop shops like Jane Street, Citadel, or Two Sigma often value candidates with strong analytical and game theory skills. These firms may also offer roles that are less coding-intensive but still involve quantitative thinking.
Prepare for Interviews: Trading interviews often include mental math, probability, and logic puzzles. Brush up on these areas and practice with resources like “Heard on the Street” or similar trading interview prep guides.
Explore Quantitative Trading: If you’re open to some coding, quantitative trading roles could be a good fit. These positions often involve developing and testing trading strategies, which can be intellectually stimulating and align with your interest in puzzles and competition.
Be Persistent and Open-Minded: Breaking into trading can be competitive, especially without a traditional quant background. Be open to starting in a junior or support role and working your way up.
By combining your IB experience, poker skills, and passion for game theory, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for trading roles.
Sources: Transitioning from tech to a serious finance job (yes, you read that right), How to be a Millionaire Trader, Prop Trading (MM) v.s. BB Sales and Trading, A Guide for Switching From Commercial Banking to Investment Banking, 34 year old day trader to investment banker
Want to be a quant but don’t want something too “coding heavy”. Brotha, what are you smoking? It’s 2025. The games changed. For 1, your finance degree is beyond useless. No trading firm will interview you. Only play is quant masters.
Only play is quant masters, if ur from non target with finance background...there's no linear way other than the masters program.
However if you've only worked for an yr than you can try to network ur ass off with the trading team in ur bank, although that would only make sense in some kind of structured product that would value some kind of modelling experience.
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