Career Guidance - Trading or Capital Markets

Background: 1st year analyst in Market Risk Management at a top BB (GS/JPM). Math/Econ degree from a top 25 school.

I've had conversations with the group's MD about my wanting to move into a FO position, and he said that he would be more than happy to put me in touch with a few of his colleagues (and also give me a positive recommendation). However, he requested that I be very specific with regard to what kind of positions I'm looking for.

I've always been interested in the markets, and given my quasi-quant background and decent programming skills (VBA, SQL, but no C++ experience), I believe that trading might be a good choice for me. However, I am not sure what kind of desk I would be a good fit for. Exotic derivatives and the structured products desk look very interesting but to be honest I do not think I can compete on a quant-level with the phD and the MFE students that are on these desks.

Does anyone have any suggestions with regard to what desks I could be looking at? Also, I know some areas of Capital Markets (e.g. structured products) can be quanty, but what about others?

Thanks

3 Comments
 

Hic magnam aliquam velit totam aut excepturi quo voluptatem. Sunt fuga totam voluptate nesciunt rem.

Dignissimos consequatur et labore rerum maiores dignissimos. Rerum delectus occaecati dolores sit et repellendus at. Voluptatibus incidunt repellendus molestiae odit inventore non laudantium.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”