Graduate School & Commodities Trading
Hi, I am doing my undergrad from a Canadian Semi-Target with manageable grades, my goal is energy trading yet I am having difficulty breaking into the industry. I am now considering the option of getting a graduate degree to increase my credentials for commodities trading. Does anyone have some suggestions? seems like big firms in the south all place a huge importance on U of A&M.
Anyone has any input on Tulane's Energy Master program? its only 10 months, but heard some good things about it, is it a advantageous degree? how competitive is it to get in? What other target schools offer great masters program that are competitive for energy trading?
Tulane is pretty easy to get in to.
Why do you plan on changing your focus from energy trading to commodity? Commodity traders got fucked this year
lol
I should have been more clear, I am still meaning energy. What I love about Energy trading is that its essential purpose to the economy and people's lives, and the industry's complexity is interesting yet esoteric at the same time that I believe once you establish a prominent position and competency in the field, your specialized expertise will never render you useless and you will always have competitive moat against the next guy who doesn't know much about the industry. The downside is of course, limited exit opp, if works his ass in and finds he doesn't like the industry... he is pretty fucked. :P
Texas A&M, University of Texas, Rice University, Louisiana State University, Tulane University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, University of Houston....
Exhaust your Canadian options first, then think about graduate school. Work experience trumps letters after your name and an MBA isn't completely relevant to trading. Canadian heavy oil is big business and many E&P companies have shop in Canada--you could also look at the refiner end (Irving OIl).
Thanks for the input blender, I have been searching for awhile now, Utilities and shops aren't hiring at all. People are very helpful over the phone and many were receptive toward receiving resume, but they would always tell me flat out, they aren't hiring, I would ask if they know anyone else that would, and the answer is still no, (I am also fairly positive they aren't saying no just to get me off the phone).
You mentioned refiners, can you elaborate a bit more on what it's like to work for refiners? How does it differ from working for shops or trading arms of energy companies? Are there some other companies you can list? would love to check out all of them
Thanks
Most companies involved in the energy supply chain (E&P companies, jobbers, blenders, retail gas and refiners) will have some sort of trading/supply arm. Refineries need to source (i.e trade) their required oil stock as well as the refined products.
Working at any of these shops as an operational/risk guy will give you strong experience and could lead to a trading gig.
Just searching refiners in Canada will give you Irving Oil--spending a few minutes on current vacancies leads to these operational roles (no physical shop out right hired traders, they are typically trained from within). These are all operational roles and in my opinion, learning the operations of how product is consumed/moves will give you a stronger leg to make a trading desk than another degree.
https://prod.fadvhms.com/irving/jobboard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*9B80C993…
https://prod.fadvhms.com/irving/jobboard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*47424EDE…
https://prod.fadvhms.com/irving/jobboard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*F43557B7…
https://prod.fadvhms.com/irving/jobboard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*C0256133…
Another 5 second search on Google (not sure if these are still active but worth a shot)
https://jpmchase.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=12…
https://cargill.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=VAN00042&la…
http://www.roberthalffinance.com/SearchJobs?1_jobSearch.request_type=Vi…
http://www.roberthalffinance.com/SearchJobs?1_jobSearch.request_type=Vi…
again thanks for the posts blender, I don't want to give the impression that I am too lazy to search, been searching for posting extensively, what discourages me is most of them all need 2+ or 3- 5 years of indstry experience, but I guess at this point I will apply to these positions anyways and try to get my foot in the door.
heard great things about tulane masters and good placement
They always write 2-3 years experience, to get mature, qualified applicants. If you have a strong resume don't matter. Contracts, Scheduling, Credit this shit ain't rocket science, just need someone smart and hungry.
Could you please recommend any graduate schools in Europe?
Check out the FT master ranking, but disregard IE and Hult in the list.
Well University of St Gallen and Oxford appeal the most to me but are more finance-centric, plus it's really hard to get a house in Switzerland and get into Oxford. I had my eye at an Msc offered by Cass University London ( Msc in Shipping Trade and Finance). Has anyone been there or heard of it? I would appreciate any feedback.
PS I can't post the url because I am new to the site please check it out with a quick google search
Might not be the right answer but as an alternative to the above you could find local Prop Shops that specialize or need Energy traders. You'd start off in an operations role (most likely) while learning the nuisances of trading strategies but if they give you an opportunity after 1-2 years that is a way to get trading experience on your resume.
any idea on how or where to look for such opportunities?
No degree will make you a shoo-in at a major, save perhaps for Chemical Engineering at Imperial or Oxford PPE. If you go to Cass, you should apply to everything you can: majors, traders, shipowners, shipbrokers, banks... and take what you can get.
Your marine engineering degree gives you an angle for shipping operations/shipping and that could be a possible entry route. And yes, graduate roles are paid.
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