I'll be starting in August at a BB bank working in Asset Management, specifically in marketing. I took the job since at the time recruitment was especially harsh, but would like to ultimately move into Trading. What are the odds at moving directly into S&T and would getting my MBA help that transition if it's otherwise impossible?
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if you are sexually involved with an MD in S&T that ups you chances to about 0.000000000000000000000000014%
best of luck
Even with a strong academic record in math and sciences? Does an MBA change things? Is it too late to break the pigeon hole of being in marketing?
I dunno. I made the jump to the trading floor after two years in analytics/front office technology. Having a strong academic background was good, but having a strong reputation at work is even better. You have to demonstrate a certain level of grace under fire and also some sort of ability that makes you absolutely stellar when it comes to helping the sales or trading process.
Would you be interested in institutional sales- maybe structured products? I think that would be a good fit for someone with a marketing background who also had strong quantitative abilities. I know you really want to be a trader right now, but what a lot of people realize when they get to a bank is that they want to be a portfolio manager. Most traders are really risk managers trying to balance a book for market-making purposes. If you're in sales, you will focus on understanding how buy-side portfolio managers think and how you can help them make money. And contrary to popular belief, sales guys are just as fun to work with as traders.
The odds are kind of tough. It sounds like you might be in a less quantitative support role in some ways (I was in a support role, too), but if you perform well in your current job and get a number of powerful people liking you, there's no reason you can't get to the trading floor in two years, and there's no reason you can't become a trader- or a sales guy with your own accounts to service- in another 1-2 after that.
The MBA has the possibility to be a game-changer if you can get into a top school and network well, but if you do have such a strong record in math/science a MFE would greatly greatly greatly improve your chances and I would recommend going that route if it interests you.
Also, you do specifically mention trading in your post but IMO coming from marketing you would have skills that would transfer better into a sales or sales-trading role vs. trading. If I were you I would network and try to get to know some of the sales guys/girls at your firm and talk with them about it. Just don't let your desire to get into trading adversely affect your work in your current position
Awesome. Thanks for the advice. I wonder if you're a fringe case though... I hope not.
At the moment I'm considering a joint MBA/MS (Financial Engineering) program in order to make the transition easier if the firm isn't willing to let transfer.
Edit after seeing Roosters post above:
Thanks, I was considering just that. I'm not necessarily opposed to sales, but I find the most enjoyment I get is out of actually playing the market. Whether this leads to a trading position or a PM position as programmer mentioned above I'm not certain yet. I really appreciate all the advice though guys.
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