Commodities without degree?
Hello! Long time lurker.
Well, im studying CS and i hate it. Like, im falling asleep in classes and when studying it. Interested in commodity trading. I want to drop out (im 2nd year atm), but idk how to enter the CT world. I have no connections. Where should i start applying for scheduling or similar positions? The problem is those positions require a degree, but i have heard that some guys in the commodity trading world do not have degrees too, although they probably knew the right people. Another problem is im based in Europe. Everyone wants to ban fossil fuels here. Its not a good sign. Metals, Ags, Shipping/freight trading are also in my mind. Oh and, do i have any chances? Like, who tf is going to even look a half empty CV? But on the other hand, degrees dont matter for those types of positions, right?
So?
Programming bored me too but that is because you haven't applied anything to it. When I was at a hedge fund, making markets for natural gas derivatives, on screen for NYMEX, all of our market making were algo based. I mean, it has to be because the market moves too fast and guess what, I didn't know how to program one bit. But programming isn't the most important part, because quite honestly, that's the easy part. The applied part is the hardest. Knowing how to price these, how to hedge them, how to execute... Do you need a CS degree to trade commodities? No. Do something that doesn't bore you. Personally for me, math was always my strong point growing up but I'm not quant and when you get to higher tier math like stochastic calc, I skip it... But I know it will help hence I'm why im forcing myself to learn. Personally, I think I'm a good trader because I can actually make money as a trader, but buying and selling is one but I ask myself, how can I be better? Oh maybe I have a positions far off the curve and I want to hedge them with a liquid point so I need to find minimum variance hedge... Which requires math. I applied math to my work which got me interested. I wouldn't say give up on CS just yet, i recommend going on codeacademy website and start from there. That site is what got me interested in programming though trading will always be my passion.
Just an FYI, when I was interviewing for a derivative trader position in NYC and same as the firm I am at right now, they emphasised Python during the interview process... You giving up on programming is only going to hurt yourself. I highly recommend you stick it out or go with a relevant degree that will spark your interest and let you stay in the path of what you want to do. Do you need a CS degree to program? No. Would it help? Probably, closer to yes. Not just within commodities. But rates, FX, equities... where ever you go. Guys on my desk aren't programmers, mostly the exotics / vol guys are here
but they do tel vanilla guys to learn. If it bores you, find a way to APPLY to real world issues that you’re interested in and that’s what drives you to want to learn.
are you trading rates?
Don’t be an idiot, you need a degree in something at the very least.
Yes there are people who trade commodities without degrees. 99.99% of them are people who began their careers 30+ years ago and started out in on the ground operations (roughneck, refinery technician, mill line employee, etc.) which is a step removed from the types of ops jobs that are the general stepping stones to trading. So you would be waiting at least a decade and chances are any employer would require a bachelors before they promoted you to an ops job bringing you back to square one.
You are half-way through your degree. If you drop out now part of your effort and time to make it this far will become a sunk cost. You will also be leaving your future self with limited career options because a degree (in anything) is a requirement for so many career paths. Last, by dropping out you would cause many potential employers (including those in your currently chosen career path) to question if you have the ability and quality of character to complete what you start.
No one knows how the future will play out. However, you would be certainly setting up a significant obstacle for yourself by dropping out. Instead, you could either consider this a character building exercise and proudly see through what you started, or you could be resourceful and find another degree to switch to that would make you happier.
I wish you the best of luck in finding your path in your studies (and life).
The people I know in commodities without degrees did not drop out of college and are either close to the end of their careers or are not destined for trading roles. I know you have heard of janitors rising to become star traders. But that is very different from what you are describing.
when you say "commodities" that is a very wide field. Pork Bellies are a commodity..so is frozen concentrated orange juice, gold bars and crude oil...S&P index futures and bond futures are also commodities.
The definition of a commodity is a common good that is interchangeable, bought and sold freely. All these things are commodities.
If you meant to say "energy commodities" like nat gas or crude oil...thats different from agg products, metals...or financial products.
Unless you are a private trader, trading for our own account...you'll need to specialize in one product. You are correct, nobody will even look at you at this point. If you were a genius, then you don't need college. Are you a genius?
Can you not just switch majors? Dropping out will put you at a significant disadvantage. The stuff you learn from college may vary in use, but what firm wants to hire a person who couldn't commit to finishing college?
its ok to interview for jobs while still in college, and drop out ONLY AFTER you get a full time job. anything else is idiocy.
If you want to try to be a youtube star or create a dropshipping business...you can and should do that while still in college. Why not transfer to get a BA in economics? Easier than CS.
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