Entry Level Job Advice - commodity execution trader

I graduated a semester early from one of the main colleges in Chicago. I held a good amount of internships from Buiness valuation, PWM, and Risk management. I relied heavily on my network to get a job since I was graduating early. A friend of mine said that he knew a small commodity broker that needed another execution trader on the desk. While this was something I didn’t know much about I decided to go and meet the team. I really liked the culture, the pay was pretty decent for an entry level finance job, and the hours are sub 40 some weeks. I kinda was burnt out a couple months ago but am feeling much better now. They also promised a fast pace work environment.

While this sounds like a dream job for some people, it is much slower than I expected. I’m also not learning nearly as much as i thought I would which is very important to me. I am wondering if the “cushy” lifestyle now is going to hurt me in the future? Also, anyone know of any exit ops for a position like mine? If not I might be forced to reach back into my network and change career paths. Would really appreciate some advice!

1 Comments
 

Qui atque et quos sit. Rerum explicabo optio laudantium est. Non et placeat et est minus sint non. Voluptatum ratione similique hic reiciendis voluptates soluta nostrum.

Doloremque saepe sed esse placeat ea aliquid. Ut id doloremque quam veritatis accusantium sed. Eum excepturi nisi eos officiis assumenda. Aut maiores molestiae rerum eos.

Vero ad qui cumque vel autem aliquid ut. Aliquid reiciendis dolor minus quam unde nulla. Ex itaque velit et. Ut voluptate ut perferendis facere enim a eaque.

Impedit velit architecto exercitationem aspernatur suscipit dolore. Rerum velit iusto sapiente repellendus praesentium. Voluptatum dolorum eius modi maxime eligendi quia quis. Enim natus atque maxime itaque. Voluptatem mollitia ab voluptatum sint sit.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”