ADVICE NEEDED!!!! IB or Trafigura

Hello monkeys, I need your help, I have received two offers, one for an investment banking analyst position at one of the biggest local IB firms (Not a BB, although I would like to get into one soon) and one for Trafigura's global graduate program (I would have to relocate to Montevideo), I currently live in Peru and have had experience as an M&A intern for one year at Scotiabank, and would really like to pursue a career in IB, my goal is to do a top MBA (Harvard, Wharton, Chicago, etc) and work in NY until Im able to open an IB boutique back in Peru, I feel like I would be in the right path as the IB offer is a really good one and I have all the means and contacts to achieve my main objective, but at the same time I wonder about the other option.

How viable is to become a commodity trader in Trafigura through the graduate program, and worst case scenario, if I dont like the job in Traf after one or two years, do you think I could make a comeback to IB, I mean do you think that I could enter into a BB after the two years as I would have one year of experience in IB plus one or two years of international experience working at one of the biggest companies in the world, I also have passed CFA exam level 1 and would be planning to take level 2 next year, independently if I join Traf.
Thanks in advance

(BTW I have to make a decision soon as I would have to sign the contract for the IB position this week)

 

So I have to make a decision before this wednesday, I know this is a super important decision, so today I'll receive advice from an uncle that did what I want to do, he worked many years as a MD at Merryll Lynch NY and now has the most elite investment boutique of the country, so it will be good to hear what he has to say, additionally I'll be talking with two peruvian traff employees that went through the graduate program to share their insights about the company. I'll keep you updated.

 

Regarding the application I got very lucky, TBH I didn't know the company existed until a Traff recruiter messaged me through Linkedin and told me about the program and that I should apply, so I started doing research about the company and found out it was a really big deal. As for the interviews I prepared myself a lot, in Traffs website there is a lot of info about the company and about what they do and how they do it, a 100 page long document, so I read everything, and also read about trading strategies you can use in the commodity world, like cash and carry, reverse cash and carry, inter and intra commodity spreads, etc. So I nailed the 4 interviews.

If you want we can talk internally to tell you everything in more detail. I'm always willing to help

 

Hey! Sorry for the late reply, I'm so new to this site lmao. Yes please can we talk internally (pero como lo hacemos?) as I would really love to know more information, I have seen the long documents and I am working my way through them! Yes, I have heard that Traff is amazing in terms of money and opportunities, so I really want to secure a job there! Hope to hear from you soon y felicidades!!!!

Megan

 

Hello i 've been contacted the same way through linkedin and that i should apply which I did. The recruter told me also to add his name while appying. so far I did not receive any feedback and they told me over the phone there are waiting 2 weeks still. Do you think i will be called back ( to be honest i was sure to be called after the linkedin message but now not anymore lol) Thanks

 
Most Helpful

So I made the decision, I'm going with Traff and moving to Montevideo, Uruguay, I spoke with my uncle, two peruvian Traff traders working in Switzerland who started with this graduate program in Uruguay and my uncle's friend who luckily was an ex-director in Traff, the latter told me this is a huge opportunity and that if I'm not retired by the age of 45 is because I did somethong wrong, as there are plenty of opportunities to make big bucks in this company, furthermore my uncle told me I'm still young and I should take risks, meaning go work for Traff and get some international experience, its a great opportunity and I'm sure you'll love the job, worst case scenario you can still change careers and go IB after you finish a top MBA. This advice helped me a lot, so I think I've made the right decision.

 

Hey, sorry for the fucking stupid I just wanted you to make the right decision, as any idiot can do IB. That being said, can I chat with you in regards to how you recruited for Traff. Specifically, target, inside connections, etc. my uncle is head of trading for a certain region and although I don’t know him well, I figure I could maybe land an interview. Would love to hear your background.

 

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