what's a disaffected megalomaniac to do

I've been working at a small (but successful) prop trading firm for about 3 years now, and am at a point where I'm looking back on my career, and realizing if I worked for google out of college my stock options would have been worth more than my entire cumulative comp at this supposedly higher risk/reward job. it's becoming increasingly clear that this isn't the type of place where one can make millions, and quite frankly I feel a bit frustrated.

is wanted to make the big bucks I always hear about like moving to hollywood to become a movie star, or can hard work and skill actually be rewarded like that? I don't want to sound hyperambitious and greedy (probably too late), but I want to make sure my picture of this business is hanging straight. I'd love to do quant/research based macro stuff at a top hedge fund, but I don't know how to assess whether/when to try and make the leap (not to mention how to even get the job).

do you other trader types ever feel this way, or do I just need to lighten up?

5 Comments
 

"Working for any startup is infinitely more risky than your finance job."

true, but I wouldn't call google in 2005 a risky career move. omega, I'm not familiar with first new york securities, but I guess I'd advise thinking about opportunities a few years down the line...if I had offers from a big bank (or goolge :P) I think I would have taken that route, but that's because the name/network gives you more flexibility. hard to know in advance what compensation potential is like after a few years, but also take into account the kind of trading you want to do, gotta balance money with job satisfaction. just my 2 cents.

 

If your firm is really a place where millions cannot be made, the firm must be pretty shitty. Millions can be made at any bank/HF. I am also thinking about working for a prop firm (first new york securities). In retrospect, would you recommend against this (ie going to a bank or fund instead)?

 

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