Refined fuels trading experience but lackluster Engineering GPA
Graduating from a non-target in May 2019. I completed a refined fuels trading internship this past summer and I have a bunch of other commodity related experience. I am very passionate about the energy commodity industry but I have a low 3.0's Engineering GPA. I feel like this is hindering my chance of securing an interview.
What can I do to get passed the GPA Hurdle so I can convey my experience and passion?
If you have experience as an undergrad, apply to enough places and you will find something. What about the shop you worked at?
By applying, do you mean sending in online applications (resumes, etc.)? Thanks in advance.
The previous shop said to keep in contact, but I'm not going to get my hopes up. Your bio mentions you've been in the game for 2 years now. What was your path into S&T?
I've been at various majors and trading shops for the past four and a half years. Apologies, but I am not able to elaborate any further than that.
No worries! That sounds like a lot of movement, is that usual for this industry?
if you have 4.5 years of exp.. your gpa doesnt matter at all.. ESP in the phy space
That's good to hear. I guess right now for me, it's all about networking and letting those people hear my passion and see my experience.
Are there any conventions or networking events for energy risk/trading around the Texas area coming up?
again with almost five years of exp in the space.. you should have a good idea of where you want to work and for who.. target them directly
I think you've confused Moby821 with with Index....
What did you do at the shop you worked at? Also, how recognized are they in their market?
If you worked hard and have a good reputation but they can't bring you on, I would look for entry level roles at other shops then ask the guys you worked with this summer if they can help put you in touch with anyone they know there.
Assuming you have commercial aspirations, the best way to get a seat is to kick ass in your current role.
I wouldn't rule any jobs out - there are people who get moved out of accounting, credit, etc. into roles that can feed into trading because they bust their ass and do a better job than their peers.
The ones that move from the "feeder" roles into trading get promoted for the same reason - they are ass-kickers. The company realizes these employees are exceptional and that they can make more money if they give these folks a trading seat to kick ass in.
I know "work hard" is about as generic advice as you can get and there is a lot of subtlety and nuance to moving into trading that is hard to explain. My point is that even with a sub-par GPA you should be able to find a role at a shop that is in the physical markets - just look and have nothing be beneath you. If you are cut out for it, it will show, and you will eventually look back on these posts and laugh.
I did most of their hedging work, built models/analytical tools, and reported on market drivers/fundamentals. They're not a major trade shop, but somewhat known.
I've been applying for anything that has to do with commodities or any position in a commodity company. I was just a little let down after being automatically refused because of a GPA requirements.
Are there any skills that would make me more marketable to a trading shop or major, learning python, R, etc?
Moving from BO or MO to FO is incredibly hard, don't sell false hope. I wouldn't bet on it.
Right now, OP I'd aim for a logistics role maybe in an obscure location in the US to increase your chances of getting it.
I agree but it's hard to capture the nuance and nearly limitless considerations that are involved with getting the opportunity to move into something front office though. Excelling at whatever role you're currently in is one of the few factors inside of your own control that can help facilitate it. Also, realize that this isn't a three minute montage of hard work set to a Jungle song - it's actually getting out of bed every morning and making the conscious decision to do it every single day.
Butterbean - one other consideration though is the product. I understand your career has been in natural gas. I don't think it's a stretch to say that there is generally a faster progression on the natural gas side than petroleum liquids. Because of that, I can see how on gas you're probably more "tracked" than you might be in liquids. This isn't to say that this isn't a factor in any product, but I think the longer incubation period in the latter gives people in a broader range of backgrounds an opportunity to show their potential.
I second this, I’m in a different area than you are going into Moby but the jump can be somewhat difficult from MO to FO.
I just made the jump actually and I did what Butter said I moved to a market where talent in my field is very illiquid.
By most of their hedging work, what do you mean? If someone told me they do most of the hedging work I would think that they monitor all of the exposure and co-ordinate the corresponding buys/sells for the hedge book. This seems like a tall order to ask of an intern.
I hedged the forward contract sales, not the trades they made.
Unfortunately I just got word from them that they can't add anyone to the team currently.
Again, my advice is to just continue to apply places and see where that can lead. Don't let the GPA get you down, just control what you can control.
I'd say for anyone trying to get in the commodity game. If it's energy, best course of action.
1) Logistics role in obscure place(NE Penn, weird ass cities) 2) Understanding how to play your cards into that future trader role. 3) Networking, 4) Patience 5) Consistency 6) Not being afraid to take risks and putting yourselves in different situations. 7) Discipline to not quit or doing something impulsive if you get passed over the first time, second time, third time for the trader role in front of you.
Other commodities, like metals/ags, I do not know enough. I believe in ags, you can get Jr Trader role from the get go.
great advice
did this post change from guy having 4.5 years of exp to now just an internship?
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