Real Time Trader Path into Power Trading

Any power traders out there willing to give some quick career advice?

I secured a RT role out of college and have been here about a year an a half now. So far I have really enjoyed the job but would love to eventually get into a power trading gig down the road.

The first year was great and I learned a ton, but the past six months I feel that I have "mastered" this job as my learning has really plateaued and I fear that I am turning into a button pusher dispatching plants. Unfortunately my company stopped having RT trade virtuals or ICE a few years before I got in so I have practically no trading experience.

Might be rushing things but where would y'all recommend I go from here? Should I stay, or would it be wise to look for other RT jobs that do more trading and ride that out a couple more years? Should I be looking at power analyst roles at all? 

3 Comments
 

Hey there! It sounds like you're at a crossroads in your career, which is a great time for some reflection and planning.

First off, it's fantastic that you've mastered your current role as a Real Time (RT) trader. That's a testament to your skills and dedication. However, I understand your concern about becoming a "button pusher" and the desire to continue growing and learning.

If your ultimate goal is to get into power trading, there are a few paths you could consider:

  1. Stay in your current role but seek out additional responsibilities or projects that could give you more exposure to trading. This could involve speaking to your manager about your career aspirations and seeing if there are opportunities within your current organization.

  2. Look for other RT roles that involve more trading. This could give you the hands-on experience you're looking for and could be a stepping stone towards a power trading role.

  3. Consider power analyst roles. This could give you a deeper understanding of the power market, which would be valuable in a trading role.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all answer here. The best path depends on your personal interests, skills, and long-term career goals. It might be helpful to speak with others in the industry or seek out a mentor who can provide personalized advice.

And remember, even monkeys fall from trees. So don't be afraid to take a leap and try something new!

Sources: Q&A: 3 years software development to Power trading analyst at a supermajor, Energy Trading: Career Path, Lifestyle, Wages, etc, Advice: Carreer steps for trading?????

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Dolorum quos nihil aut recusandae. Minus voluptatem harum architecto impedit eligendi iusto magni sed. Qui quo inventore dolores consequuntur. In possimus minima consequatur. Blanditiis aspernatur animi cupiditate nulla dolorem laborum. Maxime esse iusto eum velit ab.

Quisquam quas rerum perferendis officiis ut. Laudantium non nisi error nulla aliquid fuga.

Ex sequi rem est est aliquid accusantium aperiam blanditiis. Quia maiores voluptas qui corrupti. Aut atque ab consequatur ex dolor qui corrupti. Ab rem nihil accusamus nesciunt sint harum aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Guggenheim Partners No 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (81) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”