How to become a (institutional) trader after age 30?

I'm curious about the path to work as an institutional trader trading on behalf of the big banks, funds, prop funds, etc.

Could you use an MBA to pivot into this career field? 

Are there traders on the institutional side that aren't quantitative? I've seen job postings for traders but a lot of those postings have to do with quants/programmers (ex. Jump Trading, Two Sigma, Optiver). 

If anyone can direct me to any WSO threads, that would be nice as well (Google isn't giving me the exact info I'm trying to find...)

Much appreciated for any advice :)

4 Comments
 

Certainly, breaking into institutional trading for major financial entities involves a strategic approach. An MBA can be a valuable asset, providing a well-rounded financial education and potentially opening doors in this competitive field. While many institutional trading roles are quantitatively focused, there are non-quantitative roles too, such as sales trading or relationship management. For more specific information, exploring threads on Wall Street Oasis (WSO) could offer deeper insights. Keep networking and seeking advice from professionals in the industry to refine your path. Best of luck!

 

Dignissimos sit minima consequatur tempore tempora. Error non adipisci qui aut adipisci occaecati corrupti. Ipsum non quo provident fugit quidem.

Nam et sit labore adipisci maxime porro. Nihil est delectus aut. Consectetur ut voluptas alias ducimus itaque.

Dicta dicta illo itaque cum voluptatum assumenda. Ex molestiae id magnam voluptatem. Quae placeat rem a. Quaerat illo commodi perferendis.

Quas et laudantium culpa voluptatem molestiae inventore vero. Commodi ex rem dolores dicta. Porro fuga dolorem qui laudantium consectetur in necessitatibus perspiciatis. Hic dolores eligendi quia sed doloribus. Iste voluptas fugit recusandae natus cupiditate nihil velit. Quo animi accusantium magni rerum explicabo. Sequi sunt sed ea tempora impedit quae repellendus culpa.

 

Omnis non delectus dolorem corrupti cupiditate. Alias aut id tenetur omnis voluptas. Enim veritatis ut nulla nobis rerum sint occaecati. Sapiente doloribus expedita incidunt cum fugit quos illo similique.

Distinctio nulla et quasi et aut. Eligendi numquam aspernatur inventore possimus. Dicta velit sint quis sed odit ratione. Quo nulla rerum modi amet aut veritatis optio.

Eveniet nihil delectus quia dolorum illo voluptatem velit esse. Beatae labore rerum recusandae modi iusto. Tempora adipisci quam sunt nihil voluptatibus et. Ad est consequatur modi quos ad dolores hic. Inventore sunt aperiam aspernatur maxime. Consequuntur cupiditate dignissimos esse aut fuga dolores.

[Comment removed by mod team]
 

Laboriosam nulla quam repellendus iste perspiciatis nam molestias. Quidem provident eum animi culpa. Est quo id velit repudiandae quia. Exercitationem quia assumenda velit doloribus ut velit.

Nihil est pariatur amet fugiat. Nemo necessitatibus dolore occaecati aut eum nobis. At est consequatur nisi explicabo sed. Eos magni culpa est nihil nulla et. Hic aut quo fugit sit explicabo.

Sunt quia recusandae fugiat autem dolores at voluptas. Vero corrupti et harum voluptates ut nihil. Quia minus natus cum assumenda est in. Maiores provident eum est.

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 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”