Q&A: Senior Associate | FICC
About
Hi! Hope you are well. I am based in Asia with IBD internship experience. I have also went through CFA.
Bio
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Spent over two years in global markets focusing on macro
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Worked at both international and regional banks in investment banking and corporate banking
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Graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
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Earned CAIA and FRM charter
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thanks for this. what made you switch from IB to markets, and further, are you afraid (or not) of the General trend in markets towards fewer and fewer headcount?
Thank you for your questions. I realised actually my skills (Engineering background) was more suitable for a s&t roles compared to IBD. If you are quantitative, trading is more suitable with shorter hours as well. As the industry is getting more algo driven, discretionary trading jobs especially in Equities, FX then Rates and commodities are decreasing.
First of all, thank you for taking the time to do this - I'm sure we all appreciate it.
A couple questions:
Could you describe the transition from not taking risk or speaking to clients (say as a newcomer to S&T or as an analyst) to being able to take risk or own a client book? Is it just decided one day by an MD? Or is it a gradual process?
How does the the role of a trader or salesperson evolve over time as you advance? Is it just a simple case of risk limits increasing with each level or speaking to larger and larger clients? Or is there more to it than that?
Where do you see yourself in the next few years? Still in S&T or branching out into something else? Given natural headwinds facing the S&T business currently (e.g. automation, lower spreads etc), would you still say it's an attractive career to pursue long-term?
Thanks for your qns. Junior traders usually do not take role or own a book initially but after a few year get to manage risk/own a small book depends on your supervisor. I started with one client then gradually as I learnt on the job, more clients and responsibilities were added to me. Actually what junior Traders/sales do is not much different from senior Traders/Sales do. Risk limits depends on the Year to date performance as well. Senior sales do get on complicate deals (financing etc.) and work on high touch clients. Where do you see yourself in the next few years? Still in S&T or branching out into something else? Given natural headwinds facing the S&T business currently (e.g. automation, lower spreads etc), would you still say it's an attractive career to pursue long-term? Hehe You are definitely right it’s very competitive. I still keep options open- May be school, start some Venture or pivot to AM
Thanks for doing this.
What made you pursue CFA/FRM/CAIA? Did your career aspirations change during the time leading up to job hunting?
As an engineer presumably without master's degree, how hard was it for you to get the IBD internship in Asia? Why and how you ended up in global markets, especially macro?
Any plans in terms of furthering your education, e.g. getting MBA? How do you think that would play into career advancement, esp. in Asia?
Cheers
Second the question about CFA/CAIA combo, I'm considering getting it too
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