Buy Side Execution Trader Looking to Transition

Hey guys,

I just got word that I will be getting let go at the end of the year. It wasn't due to bad performance or anything. (Comp and reviews have been pretty good this year), but I am getting getting caught up in yet another active shop moving their exposure to passives in my asset class. I have worked my way through various roles throughout the years (across client roles and operations and now in buy side cross-asset trading)

Anyway, while the surprise sucks and it certainly doesn't feel great, it's a bit of a blessing in disguise since I was already planning on working to transition away from this type of role in the near future. I continue to feel that trading is a dying business that will (rightly or wrongly is debatable) in large part be automated in next 10-15 years. In a way this is just speeding up my timeline. As such I was hoping to get some insight from folks that have either made the transition themselves or have ideas for areas that one can transition to.

I can tell you the most enjoyable aspect of my job as it stands is taking in all of the information in the world and coming up with views/recommendations for the longer term depending on the asset. I feel a certain high when I come up with a complex view and then have it play out in the various asset classes over time. I think the thing i will not miss is the manic reactionary stress that is often the main part of this job. While i recognize no matter what this will retain in any job thats touching markets in some way, I just feel that I would do much better in a longer-term focus type of role.

After having some conversations with a few folks, I think maybe a cross-asset strategist role or even moving to a macro hedge fund might fit this idea but then again I am still young and may not necessarily have the best mental map of what's out there.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

5 Comments
 

Have you ever considered portfolio analysis and management? PM's do some of the stuff that you say you're interested in, such as strategic and tactical asset allocation, as well as manage risk. Not saying that this is definitely the role for you, it might be something to look into.

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Right, you so you work as a portfolio analyst for a couple of years. But your experience as a trader should help you progress faster than most

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