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Since you have a tech internship in an IB, you might have a shot for a FO SA if you network properly during your time there. Try to grab a coffee with some of the traders there. Be prepared before to show you motivation: read books, get the basics, think about why you want to be FO. Coding is your best argument but you need more than that.

If nothing works, you can still do an MSc in Finance at a target school (think LSE, Imperial etc) if you really want to have a training in finance and tick the target box.

Networking is still your best chance.

 

Msc in finance/financier engineering degree are both fine if you need a training in finance and tick the target box but again you can do without it. If you know people it's a good place to start, but networking from inside during your tech internship is your best shot if you are on site. See if the people you know can recommend you to someone on the trading floor at your bank.

As for the reading, you can find lists on this forum, LK. Depends if you want to start with basic technicals are more with how the market works etc.

 

thank you, will I still be able to apply for an internship next year (which will be my 3rd and last) since technically I will have graduated by the time I get one.

Also, Is it important for me to have a portfolio and trade on my own. This is something I'm interested in doing as well

 

Yes you can have a SA in your last year, have seen that in London. Especially european students (Bocconi, HEC). Do you homework and contact people with similar background on LinkedIn and ask how they landed a SA offer in their last year. Again, networking is key, speak to people within the bank, if someone likes you they can help (VP and above).

 

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