Best steps to become a trader?

I just finished undergrad this spring and have been working at a large distressed debt/credit HF for about a month. I would consider my role to be a middle office/ trade support role: I book and amend trades, run PnL, reach out to sales guys of the counter parties, and do reconciliations. I can see by the other members on my team, that once i am settled in and have gotten pretty comfortable at my daily stuff I will be spending lot of time talking to our traders on the desk learning about the products and securities they trade. I know this website is pretty much front office or bust, however I think its a pretty good job out of undergrad considering the communication and time I will be able to spend with PM's and traders. Even if not I am going to make the most of it and learn as much as possible while I am here.

Now, I want to know the best way I can impress these traders once I begin working with them. I just started out so a lot of these fixed income securities and concepts are new to me. What are the most important things I should be focusing on? What are the best possible steps I can take while I am here to one day become a trader?

Any advice/insight will help!

 
 

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