Hi everyone,
I am considering an offer from an O&G supermajor for their TDP. I understand that not everyone who graduates from these programs ends up with a trading role and might even end up in the commercial stream. So in the case that there is no seat at the trading desk for me after the program, what are some other opportunities I can pursue? Would it also be a good idea to pursue a Masters after the end of a program and shift to a different trading house/supermajor? As for the Masters, I would really like to pursue one that is aligned with my personal academic interests (Public policy or international relations) rather than an MBA. How would that alter my chances of moving to a different trading firm or supermajor?
Thank you!
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If you want to trade, pursue that with as much hunger and enthusiasm as you can. Go into the TDP and give it your all - they select folks they think have the aptitude to become successful traders, so you've already got a leg up on a lot of people. If you aren't offered a trading role but still want to trade, your best bet is probably another commercial role or risk/ops/etc -- the closer to the trading arm of the organization the better.
I've seen folks get trading jobs with little relevant experience right out of quality MBA programs, and while I imagine public policy / IR masters programs might give you a chance I think it's slim. I guess it boils down to deciding what you want to be when you grow up.
Is this common? What's the thought process behind placing MBA grads straight into trading seats?
Thank you for your insightful comment! I did accept the offer in the end. I am definitely very keen on trading but I am also keen to further my studies at a certain point in my life. So, say if I pursued a quality MBA after my TDP - would my previous experience give me a distinct advantage in applying for a trading role in other firms? What about energy specific programs such as the one offered by McCombs? Do these trading firms recognise graduates from such programs as well? I have definitely considered doing an MBA as well but I am currently a business undergrad major and I am not sure if i would find an MBA to be that exciting and would rather prefer alternative programs.
Dude screw more schooling (This is coming from someone with a MA in Economics & Politics). You will learn 10x more from the TDP than you will from any MBA. Put all your effort into whatever roles they put you in/rotate you through and find out what you like and focus on that. Like others have said if you want to trade phyz learn the business with a focus on ops & risk. Knowing how the product flows and how all the moving pieces fit together (storage, t-port, etc) will make you a good trader. The name of the game at an oil major is optimizing assets.
Mr. T nails this one! An MBA is great and all, but if you want to trade focus on trading and being the best there learning everything you can. Two pieces of advice:
I once had a boss that told me he had evaluated going back and getting an MBA early in his career. He said that he decided rather than pursuing the grind of further education that may or may not be attributable to his current role he decided to just put in the extra time at his current role outworking everyone else. This decision paid off for him tremendously, and he has continued to advance through various senior roles in trading over his peers that took the time to get the MBA.
People get jobs in phys trading all the time because of the specialized skills they developed working in certain areas. Some huge traders got their starts working pipeline optimization jobs and when they made their first major advancement it was because they knew more about the operations of a pipe and how it operated than anyone else.
An MBA is great, but its not going to teach you how to trade and optimize
This. Can't stress this enough.
If the TDP doesn't pan out and you want to trade, I'd wait on grad school and hustle 110% in the industry to see if you can get another shot. You can always go to school later (professional/exec MBA, part-time grad programs, etc)
An MBA is basically useless if you're already into the TDP. We take undergrads and MBA students alike into the same TDP with no difference. All the MBA would do is set you back a few years of career advancement and potential earnings if you're end goal is trading. Think of the TDP as your "grad school" for trading. The things you learn in the TDP will far exceed anything you learn in your MBA when it comes to physical trading. Congrats on the role btw.
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