Houston Trading: recs for getting into power trading

I am wondering about the same thing...

inb4 monty drops knowledge

where should I begin?

lets the questions begin

I just gave you a SB Mont. Thanks for the informative post.

2 things: 1) I can see why you got a promotion, thank you for the amazing info 2) I alsoheard rumors of a WSO drinking group in houston, and validity?

I gave you a SB Mont. Thanks for the informative post.

Nice, yeah looks like I'm moving to Houston in a few months

Whats the details of this WSO houston happy hour?

There are no details.

would something like Prop Trading or Algo Trading help you get into trading in Houston?

I'm just trying to figure out a way to spin it because most of my experience is Support/Tech based for Financial firms.

figured as much, sometimes you just need to ask a stupid question to hear the answer.

not stupid at all.. you would never know if you dont ask..

Thanks for all your help Monty, I'll let you know when we make the move and maybe buy you the first beer for letting me continually pick your brain.

One more question for now I think.

Is there a semblance of a normal recruiting cycle for trading or does it just flow with attrition and promotions?

bigger firms who can control their analyst/assoicate hiring needs follow a set timeline.. every other firm is more business needs when it comes to hiring

Monty did you start out in Real Time Trading for a few years?

Is real time trading or scheduling considered to be "entry level", which do you think is better for someone working to get their feet wet in the trading trade?

Am I better off trying to get an internship or something of that nature to show my competence in the field?

I'm not adverse to starting out low, and I realize there is a lot to learn; I’m just trying to determine what general entry points are to energy trading.

honestly... real time use to be an entry level job but it is now a very exp job for most shops.. for instance our real time traders have on avg 4-7 years exp... our last 11 hires were laid off term,cash or real time traders from other shops. even schl is no longer an entry level job. its tough just all over an energy desk.

I started in back office and moved around from real time, schl, asset management

i have had an intern the last two years and we made him schl... all went on to bigger and better things as the exp was legit.. i didnt hold anyone by the hand

keep in mind that when people tell me they dont mind starting out low.. your not doing me any favors.. last thing i want is someone thinking their are helping us when in fact we are waiting for them to get up the curve and add vaule.

Understandable. I've just been looking at positions and have see what you have mentioned. A fair amount of the Real Time positions state they want someone with 3+ years of experience in trading.

From your previous posts, my understanding is that like most jobs the knowledge comes on the job. What I am trying to get at is from your perspective where the ideal place to gain this experience is from.

I realize someone will have to take a shot on me; I'm just trying to determine where this occurs on the curve so I can get up to speed and add value. I'm not looking to be low for a long period of time, just saying that it's not something that's a barrier to entry for me.

Thank you for all your help by the way, I owe you a big one for all this knowledge you’re dropping on me.

anything on a desk is helpful.. i got my start in asset management by someone getting sick and helping out. Schl, real time, desk analyst(pnl) are all good to just get on a desk