Sophomore wanting to break into physical commod trading
Hello all,
I am a sophomore at a t50 business school majoring in finance/compsci in the southeast trying to break into physical commodity trading. I have recently applied to internships 4 different firms, (1 oil, 3 ag) and have been denied from all but 1 (still waiting to hear from them). My school has almost no connections to commodities, and I am in a state of confusion right now to figure out how to move forward. Moving schools is not an option for me, as I need to stay in state due to financial restrictions. What should I do this summer if I fail to get a proper internship, and what is your advice for trying to network?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, breaking into physical commodity trading as a sophomore without strong school connections to the industry can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Here's a plan of action for you:
Leverage Any Internship Experience: If you don't secure a commodity trading internship, aim for any finance-related role. Experience in finance can be valuable and can be spun to your advantage when applying for trading roles in the future.
Self-Education: Use the summer to educate yourself on commodity markets. Read books, follow market news, and understand the factors that influence commodity prices. This knowledge can be a strong talking point in future interviews.
Networking: Continue to network aggressively. Reach out to alumni, use LinkedIn to connect with professionals in the field, and don't be afraid to cold email or call firms. When you do get in touch with someone, be curious, ask insightful questions, and express your passion for the industry.
Skill Building: Use your compsci skills to your advantage. Many trading firms value programming skills for data analysis and trading algorithms. Work on relevant projects or learn a new programming language that's in demand in the trading world.
WSO Networking Guide: Consider utilizing resources like the WSO Networking Guide to refine your approach. Tailor your outreach and follow-up persistently but respectfully.
Stay Positive and Persistent: The path to breaking into commodity trading is often not linear. Keep a positive attitude, learn from each experience, and don't give up.
Remember, every bit of experience and networking can lead to opportunities down the road. Keep pushing forward, and don't be discouraged by initial rejections.
Sources: Freshmen: What to do during your freshman year summer, (London) So you didn’t get any spring weeks, here’s what you need to do:, Why can't I even get any interviews?, Morgan Stanley's advice to summer analysts, Please tell me it gets better
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