Route to Trading
I’m in need of some advice and perspective. I’ve been offered two roles and I’m torn between them.
On one hand, I’ve been offered a Market Risk Operations Analyst role at a large oil and gas company. It comes with a solid salary increase and would provide fantastic exposure to different markets, teams, and networks within a highly respected company. The experience and connections could be incredibly valuable for the long term.
However, I’m aware that making the jump from an operations role into a front-office trading position can be difficult, and the path isn’t always clearly defined.
On the other hand, I’ve also been offered a trading role at my current company. Technically, it’s an execution role, so not as strategic or decision-driven, but still closer to the action. That being said, the environment isn’t as ambitious or experienced as I’d like and I’m unsure how much I’d grow in terms of mentorship or long-term prospects.
I guess I’m trying to figure out: Do I take the market risk ops role, which offers stronger infrastructure, brand, and exposure – but potentially a longer or less certain path to trading? Or Do I stick with the execution trading role where I get “trading” experience now, but in a less inspiring environment?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s how you might approach this decision:
Market Risk Operations Analyst Role:
Execution Trading Role:
Key Considerations:
Recommendation:
If you value immediate trading experience and are confident in your ability to self-learn and grow despite the environment, the execution role could be a good choice. However, if you prioritize long-term growth, mentorship, and a stronger foundation, the market risk role at the oil and gas company might be the better option. It offers a broader platform to build your career, even if the path to trading is less direct.
Sources: My Experience as a Market Risk Analyst, Stay on commods desk at BB or move to glencore/trafigura?, Guide to Careers in Market Risk, Staying in my development role vs investment sales analyst position?, A Career In Market Risk
What kind of company is your current place?
Emissions trading company
Background: I worked in Trading for 12 years in major investment banks, and have hired a number of people internally from other areas, including ones similar to "market risk operations", into trading teams.
My thoughts for your situation: the external role seems appealing given the salary increase, brand and exposure you would get there. From there it is possible that you could move to a trading role, though this is of course not something you can count on. As I said I did hire internally from risk/operations to trading, but I am sure there are also places where they pretty much never do that. I would think of it as follows: out of these two options: which one would you not mind doing for the next say 5 years. That can maybe give you an answer.
Whatever you decide, good luck with your decision!
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