Indian Spice Trading
After cold calling and emailing for months i was finally able to land an internship... as an Indian Spice Trader.
As a little bit of a backround im an incoming freshman at a semi-target and was searching for internship opportunities near me (Long island but far from the city). Ideally i want to go into IB S&T or Quant Trading and have been trying to build somewhat of a backround this past year - successfully interned at asset management company as a Data Analyst - but i think im shit out of luck now until i go to college.
Should i take it? It seems like theres actual sales and deal experience in this industry and the company actually has a corporate building - just wondering if this will mean anything on my resume and dont want to end up wasting time here when i could be searching for even more internships or working on personal projects.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated, thanks
Taking the Indian Spice Trading internship could be a strategic move, especially given your current situation as an incoming freshman. Here's why:
Sales and Deal Experience: Based on the most helpful WSO content, gaining real-world sales and deal experience is valuable, even if it's in a niche industry like spice trading. These skills are transferable to roles in IB S&T or Quant Trading, as they demonstrate your ability to negotiate, close deals, and understand market dynamics.
Resume Differentiation: Having a unique internship like this can make your resume stand out. It shows initiative, adaptability, and a willingness to explore unconventional opportunities. Recruiters often appreciate candidates who can leverage diverse experiences to bring fresh perspectives.
Networking and Storytelling: This internship could provide you with interesting stories to share during interviews, showcasing your ability to adapt and learn in different environments. Additionally, you might build a network of professionals who could offer unexpected opportunities or connections.
Time Management: If the internship allows you to balance other pursuits, such as personal projects or additional internship applications, it could be a win-win. However, if it consumes all your time without offering significant learning or networking opportunities, it might not be worth it.
Alternative Opportunities: If you believe you can secure a more relevant internship or work on projects that align more closely with your IB S&T or Quant Trading goals, it might be worth continuing your search. For example, personal projects in data analysis, financial modeling, or algorithmic trading could be more directly applicable.
Recommendation: If the internship offers genuine sales and deal experience, take it while continuing to work on personal projects or networking for future opportunities. Use this time to build your skills and connections, and leverage the experience to craft a compelling narrative for your future applications.
Sources: Working Abroad in Investment Banking, Advice: BP IST Finance & Risk Summer Internship, Non-Target to MM IB: My Advice, How to be a Millionaire Trader, If I see another "Incoming IBD Analyst/Summer Analyst" on LinkedIn.. I'll k--l someone
Congrats on IU
A lot of it depends on the shop. If it's the British there's a lot more prestige but a very hierarchical structure. The Dutch have a really flat structure but you'll end up in Indonesia (Fake India!).
you're a senior in high school with an acceptance offer to like rutgers and asking if you should look into indian spice trading? just do what every long islander does and get into the colombian spice trading while you're young.
in all seriousness, looking at that on a resume trying to apply to ib or a more serious commodity it would look no different than working at one of those ponzi scheme day trading fx shops
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