Getting into Commodity Trading game without a degree ?
Hi Community,
I'm 25 years old, EU citizen with psychology degree from no name university in central Europe. I have been working for 4 years in software development industry, but I feel like I burned out from working in software development and would like to start new carrier path and I find physical commodity trading extremely interesting as I always were interested in financial markets and wanted to work in "real business".
The problem (?) is that I don't have any economic or math degree (I have psychology bachelor, but I've never worked as psychologist) and don't know how to start.. I don't feel like spending 5 years to get major degree to start working as I know that actually working in industry is much more effective than learning only theory at University.
I speak 4 languages - english, polish fluently and intermediate spanish & german and Im definitely good at interpersonal relations.
I am ready to work even for free for some period of time anywhere just to learn the game.
What do you think I should do in that case ?
Should I send my CV ( even though it's full of Software Development jobs + 6 months experience in Logistics when I was 19 yo) to some internship programs ?
Or apply for some commodities trading postgraduate studies ?
And one more thing - do you think as for now -> 2020 , it's promising carrier ? Or business is dead ?
I will be grateful for advices from real traders :)
Look into University of Geneva MSc in Commodity trading, apply to entry level roles in ops or commercial in your country
What do you mean exactly by "ops or commercial roles" ? I mean what is the full name of the roles so I can google more about them ?
How selective is the Geneva program? I didn’t do very well in undergrad but I have relevant experience as a junior trader that I’m hoping I can parlay into a masters degree and eventually land at a top shop
Honestly you don't need another degree, you just need to get something on your resume that says commodities. That could be working at a commodity logistics company, a manufacturing plant, doing some chartered shiproking exams..
Please keep in mind that for obvious reasons, zero recruitment going on right now.
Another advice would be to network a lot. There's no open offer for commodities trading houses and the only ways to step in the market is graduate program or networking if you don't have any prior experience in commodities. For your degree, they take people who come from everywhere so don't worry but the selection is really harsh (graduate program selection of Glencore is one of the most difficult selection in finance according to some traders). One of the prior response was to apply for ops, they are the back up team of physical trader (they check their PnL, check the freight, see storage, transportation of commodities etc.) it is a business section so no specified named job (well you'll be operator, analyst..). I just want to stress the fact that networking is really important in this realm, that's by this way that I could have my internship in Geneva in trading desk of one Oil major.
wow, thanks for you response, that's what I was looking for ! So for me as a total newbie in commodities world, would you recommend me just to apply for graduate program with CV mentioning my all IT jobs (+ short period in logictics) ? What resources/online courses/websites would you recommend me to get more familiar with the business just to be more prepared for interview and intern ? I won't be applying anywhere now for obvious reasons, but I could definitely start preparing as I have a lot of free time anyway now. Thanks again for your help
Earum porro placeat nam et. Incidunt ad aut suscipit alias blanditiis. Et in commodi ut impedit.
Ut ut vero voluptas fugit quibusdam optio ipsum iure. Dolores fugit laborum doloribus.
Ab ratione dolorem maxime in dolorem. Et culpa et error sint ex dolores. Sunt fugiat tenetur et dicta reprehenderit iusto pariatur distinctio.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...