Career Advice - want to be a trader at BB

Can I get some career advice? I want to be a trader at one of the big guys (Goldman, JPMorgan, etc.).

I'm currently a Junior in business school with a 3.8 GPA, majoring in Finance and minoring in economics. I have an internship at a hedge fund, but I'm currently looking for another internship to gain more experience. I'm an officer in the Financial Management Assoc. chapter on campus. Next year, I will be apart of our school's Educational Investment Fund, where select students manage a portfolio of over $1.2 million.

Essentially, what other things do I need to do to become a trader? Get an MBA? If so, does it matter from where? What type of internships should I do?

You guys are the masters. Teach me.

 
Best Response

Trade out of your own account, this always looks good. Its not essential that you make money doing this but thats always a bonus for you. Networking is always a good idea, apply for S&T internships I am almost certian its too late for the big guys but prop shops might still be looking and they are good experience. The best thing you can do besides keep your gpa up is to show interest. Being on the student investment fund, and being in clubs is a great start. Keep up with the markets and you should have a shot at getting an interview.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 
numm:
heister:
Trade out of your own account, this always looks good.

No, it's not.

Yes, actually it does. It shows interest, passion, and balls three things all traders need. It really doesnt matter if you make money or loose it. Those who interview you will look positively on trading out of your own account.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 
Spades:
Your "career advice" will depend on what school you attend. Is it a target? non-target? A 3.8 from Wharton is different from a 3.8 from UPheonix online BBA.

I'm at Texas Christian University. Not Ivy League, but no slouch either

 
gofrogs08:
Spades:
Your "career advice" will depend on what school you attend. Is it a target? non-target? A 3.8 from Wharton is different from a 3.8 from UPheonix online BBA.

I'm at Texas Christian University. Not Ivy League, but no slouch either

Shit i didnt even read your name, how are you doing man I am right down the street from you

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 

Make sure the guys at the hedge fund internship know you're interested in S&T and ask to work with their trader on stuff.

fyi, saying that you're in "business school" usually implies that you're currently doing an MBA. Based on you saying you're a junior, i'm guessing you're still in ugrad. nobody will care either way, but just thought i'd let you know that you may confuse people by saying you're in business school.

 
PSH2:
Make sure the guys at the hedge fund internship know you're interested in S&T and ask to work with their trader on stuff.

fyi, saying that you're in "business school" usually implies that you're currently doing an MBA. Based on you saying you're a junior, i'm guessing you're still in ugrad. nobody will care either way, but just thought i'd let you know that you may confuse people by saying your in business school.

Thanks for the heads up about business school. I've worked with the traders a lot while I've been here. The internship just isn't very good from an experience standpoint. It's cool to work here, get the connections, and learn a lot of basic stuff, but I'm ready to move on to a more challenging, immersive type internship.

 

I pmed you GoFrogs.

Btw, a HF internship is a great thing to have, even if its not the most "stimulating" experience. Honestly few internships in finance are. What I would do is if you get the chance to, sit down with a trader when he isnt busy and ask him questions about things that arent directly related to his work during the day but are still related to trading.

For example if you are interested in FX trading and the HF trader deals in equtites ask him what he thinks a 5 to 10% drop in the dollar value vs the euro would affect companies he has a position in. This way you can learn about things you are interested in yet you dont come off as just asking pesky random questions.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 
Cartwright:
In my day the Luther King internship was the gig to have.

If I were you I'd try to get on with one of the funds in the DFW area or even a sell-side firm, which lets you develop both trading acumen and build relationships with buyside guys all over the country.

I'm trying to set up an interview at Luther King right now. I have a friend who works over there. Are there any firms you'd recommend in the DFW area besides LKCM?

 

Top funds in the area (excluding PE firms): Kleinheinz, Carlson, Barrow Hanley, Westwood, Smith Asset, Bass bros (barbnet), Cardinal Fund, Walker Smith (WS Capital) Hayman (they actually recruit through career services), HBK, Highland (despite their issues), Swank (MLP's), BP Capital (t boone)

All of those are over 1b in equity holdings (except for t boone)

 

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