I Feel Like a Failure
I feel Like I'm failing in my career.
I studied finance in Mexico and always where a high achiver, got the grades, scolarships, top of my class, awards, debate team, etc. Always tought if a put in the work and studied hard could get what I wanted.
I worked in Operations as an MO for both Sales & Trading for J.P. Morgan as an Intern and then as an Anlyst for two years and a half in FI, FX and Derivatives Desks . I always looked to advance to a Front Office Role (trader), internally or in other firms, but rotation is quite rare, and here in Mexico firms normally ask for experienced Traders in must of the time in BB, Mutual Funds, etc. Prop shops or Hedge funds are basically non-existent because Market is underdeveloped compared to other countries.
When I accepted the role in Operations, I didn't knew about the different roles in the industrie and didn't knew MO was a trap. Now I feel stuck because of the my only expirince in Middle Office, just graduated last June and quitted in order to find a job as trader because internally didn't seemed possible, got into multiple processes but all rejected me in funs, penssion funds, brojkerage houses, etc. Many said they liked my profile but found a better candidate. At this point I feel like I will never be able to land that dream job and that I'm a failure. I'm 23 and I feel like the clock is ticking for those entry/jr level roles in Sales & Trading.
Currently Im working at a Fintech Startup Brokerage House but in an operations role (stuck) it was the only position I could land and currently pays my bills. But I don't think it will survive against the competitiopn. Thinking of going for the CFA or a MSc' in Financial engeenering, But I dont know if I will waste my time and if it will get me that trading role.
Advice, comments?
Thanks.
Bro come on now, you're only 23 and you got a lot of quality experience on your resume. Keep going man and don't give up!
Thanks, yeah I know I need to keep trying but I got rejected from like 11 positions already. It's quite frustrating.
Just to provide some perspective I got rejected from something like 100 firms/roles before I got my buyside role
I started in insurance BO then made my way into a middle office role at a BB, made sure I was the best performer and kept on networking non stop. Took me 2 years out of college to land a IB role (at the age of 26) so stop beating yourself up so much. BO and MO is only a trap if you let it be and listen to a bunch of interns on this forum who dont know anything but what they read on this too. Be the best, network and apply to every single S&T and IB role there is. Dont be picky, no matter the group, coverage, security take it and be the best. You just need to get in. It will take time but those who make it out of BO and MO are the ones who never quit and kept on pushing for more. Be ready at all times for an interview and make sure your story is solid. How your job translates to IB or trading, how it will help you in some type of capacity. How you have done very well at your role and are very competitive..etc.
Also do not do an Msc, it'll be a waste of time and you'll probably still find it hard to find a job unless you get into harvard/yale/stanford or one of those schools.
I know lots of people who left MO roles to do a masters and either failed the masters, or couldn't find an internship or job after. Its really depressing
Agree. A MSc won’t help
Why leave JPM? JPM is quite good about internal mobility and it is much easier to move internally than to be hired into a trader seat with a MO background. I think your only play right now is MBA or MSc from a good program, CFA won't do you good. You need to be more patient as well. Going from JPM to some Fintech is not a good play with your goals.
Thanks for ypour reply, just to give some context.I forgot to mention, actually I'm quite interested in the quant/algorithmic part of it because here in mexico trading is done the old fashined way in most firms, and it is starting to shift like in more developed countries both on the retail and institutional clients, this fintech its triying this bussiness model that is not existant hewre in Mexico so It sounded like a good opportunity, actually there are quite a bit of ex Morgan collegues her that why they reached out to me. I know it's is the future.
I started to teach myself how to code when I was in 4th semester. I know Python, SQL and VBA. Currently learning R and C++, also working towards a Data Science Certificate and the Masters I mentioned is realted to this, it is actually provided by a Quant Hedge Fund (world quant university). So I have a grasp on HFT/Algo trading but by no means Im a genious Mathematician or Computer Science PhD.
I left beacuse my formr boss was stuck at MO for 9+ years, movility locally is quite difficult beacuse Morgan subsidiary is quite small (most IB's are small in Mexico), traders where VP or more senior, so internal move didn't seemed an option. Also applied to offshore roles but never made it to the interviews.
.
Move to the U.S.
my failures are the reason I am who am today, there should be speedbumps on your journey, it means you're stretching yourself. keep doing the right things for long enough and you should end up in a good place, even if it's not the original place for which you set out.
sigue, amigo, sigue, y además, en las palabras famosas del gran Mario Benedetti, ¡NO TE RINDAS!
Has pensado en trabajar en bienes raices?
En algún momento lo pensé, parte de mi familia se dedica a Bienes Raíces.
If you're interested in being a quant, then try doing a maters in financial engineering or computer science in US. The top programs for MFE do quite well in placements
apply for jobs at PMI
As in Project Mnagement Institute, why there if ypou don't mind me asking?
as in pemex
my first job was in a call center man. keep hustling I have faith but the day you call yourself a failure youll never make it
Velit eaque id id alias qui non. Magni excepturi eum et quia nam commodi. Recusandae nihil velit ea optio animi. Cum ut accusantium numquam sint hic et.
Quos aut odit autem velit ea. Consequatur voluptate iusto error cumque. Qui et ipsa omnis. Et aliquam ea labore suscipit. Repellat quaerat occaecati occaecati totam itaque porro non. Consequatur quibusdam ab ea.
Vel ut quia est. Qui hic est nostrum labore voluptas. Inventore qui necessitatibus ut et libero. Sit esse architecto illum optio asperiores. Placeat id accusantium velit et minima quasi. Vel aperiam animi est ex.
Quis fugiat amet dolor accusantium autem pariatur explicabo. Aliquam quaerat quo velit sapiente error quo est. Nam et maiores qui sequi illum sunt consequatur sed.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...