Hi everybody,
I will be joining the Barclays Capital Finance Program in July, but have always set my eyes on a FO spot in Trading. I come from a non target, have a relatively unimpressive GPA (3.3, failed out Pharm school freshman year), and a nice mix of BO experience (Tax @ Siemens, Ops @ BlackRock, and Finance @ Lehman). These experiences really gave me a better look at what a trader does and have been interested ever since.
I was hoping to look for some words of wisdom from the senior traders on this forum. I know (more or less) that I would prefer to trade FI over Equities. I like Math/Stats, the markets are much larger, and there are more things to take into account in pricing than 1 stock, IN MY OPINION. I am not making any claims...just my personal thoughts. (Trickier to price a bond from an Emerging Market than Goldman stock. Again JUST MY OPINION!)
I'd like to ultimately move into the front office. I am seeking some tips that I can do/keep in mind to better position myself if the opportunities come up.
My game plan for now:
- Hopefully placed in a Product Control Group
- Do very well, work hard, build good relationships
- If markets pick up over the next 2-3 years, perhaps they may pull me in
- If all else fails, go to a nice global top 25 BSchool for an MBA (I read that MBAs may not really help, but regardless, it would be a nice 2 year vacation)
What are some other things I could try? I think it would be kind of annoying if I e-mailed a random trader and ask them to go out for HH. Any help will do. Thanks in advance guys. You have helped me through the past 2 years of college, and seeing as this is my senior year, I'm looking for last minute advice and experience from those who have been there, done that.
Thanks again in advance
I think you've given yourself the best advice you can get. Just from my short time on the trading floor, I can already see how important it is for the analysts aspiring to trade, to get involved and become close to as many traders as possible. For example, I'm just starting as a rotational analyst in commodities now and already have been hit up by one of the traders that I got to know over the summer for a project (this person is on a totally different desk than my current one). Obviously harder to do from a MO/BO position but not impossible.
making the transition from a product control function is tough but as a member of the finance group i wonder if you have access to trading assistant jobs. while still under middle office these roles sit on/near the trading desk at Barclays which = more interaction with the traders and a better chance to learn the business.
as a TA you are the point guy for the traders on issues whereas PC typically sits on a different floor and just hits up the TA's when there are P&L discrepancies. granted TA's do a range of things some of which will lead nowhere, if you get involved in the right things (understanding pricing models/how the desk views risk) and can add value you could have a shot. imo if you dont get into a front office analyst/associate program this is probably the best route to go. at worst you go back to school with an idea of how the business works and knowing where you want to go which will help you with your essays and in interviews going forward.
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