How to make sure I don't end up at a trash S&T desk?

Post Volcker rule, I heard that most S&T desks are just doing flow trading with little risk taking or prop style trading that trains your macro intuition to lateral to a pod. 

If you had to estimate what percentage of the interning class actually ends up in trading roles for these macro oriented desks that go beyond flow trading (FX options, Rates vol, macro credit, etc), and how do you actually make sure, if you're not a STEM major, that you get the desks you want for the rotation and the full time offer. Is it a portfolio of Python projects? networking beforehand to understand where there are open spots? 

Is this as big of a risk as I'm thinking of it as? I don't want to join thinking I'm gonna lateral to a macro pod then be stuck doing cash equities sales with cameron 4 years in. Would you have to perhaps do an internal transfer within the firm if you do get placed in a trash desk? How common is that?

20 Comments
 

If you wanted to take on more risk, why not go to a merchant shop?

 

I'll assume you have an offer. Otherwise all these shits are pointless.

Right now you'd already know which team gave you an offer, and whether the bank allows rotation during internship or not. Then you already have a faint grasp of what kind of desk the bank think you have a potential fit no? Then what's the point of the question? 

 

I’m genuinley asking because I’m not familiar with the process. Is recruiting desk driven? So if I have someone to vouch for me on the fx options desk for example I have a chance? How would rotations work then? Would u be placed on a series of desks based on HR’s take on your resume?

 

Good macro desks still exist. Network early to find out who has headcount, and focus on showing deep market intuition and policy knowledge to stand out without a STEM degree.

 

Some opportunities are bad and that generally includes s&t roles at banks. These are genuinely the worst positions in terms of prestige / job quality of almost any job in the world. you’re right that you cannot avoid a negative outcome. The way I would approach this is to just do your best and accept it is not in your control but if you do like it then be grateful. another thing is to try to learn to think for yourself. Even though prestige is very important there are other things that matter too, like whether a job opportunity is idiotic to pursue or not idiotic. There is legitimately no reason someone should do s&t at a bank lmao if they have other options. But if you are there then yes make the best of it but understand it is an utter crapshoot. 

 

Whats your experience in S&T been like and why are you you vehemently against it? 

 

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