UK - Interested in a Career in Structuring/Trading - MSc Finance LSE offer - Happy to provide what information I can in return

Hi guys,

My first post, I am looking for some advice and happy to offer what information I can in return.

I am British, based in London interested in Structuring/Trading and wondering how to break in/whether I would even like it if I did.

I understand Structuring is rather niche, but I do find what I have read of it very interesting and am interest in derivatives/rates/quant finance.

Profile:

Undergraduate degree in Economics, Top 10 Uni, Grade: 1st (British grades: 3rd, 2:2, 2:1, 1st).

Fairly quantitative degree, advanced calculus, linear algebra, stats, lots of econometrics, bit of BS model and ito's lemma. Highest mark in year in derivatives module.

Been working at a bank in ETF Sales, Asset Management for 8 months or so (contract), picked up Bloomberg, bit of VBA.

I now hold an offer to do an MSc Finance at LSE - My question is whether it would help me achieve the career I desire to do this degree/worth the cost as it is very expensive and I need to decide whether or not to pay the deposit soon.

As I said very happy to provide further information or answer questions about UK/London/British Unis (such as I know).

Many thanks,

-Emderman

 
Best Response

You have a great background and experience. IMO MSc Finance at LSE will add prestige to your CV but I also think you can get your foot into a door for a trading/structuring role without the MSc.

If you can afford to do so, pay the deposit for LSE but also hustle hard to get a grad role or long-term internship or off-cycle internship in a trading/structuring role. The last two options will typically lead you into a full time position. A lot of banks offer off-cycles and long term internships and I think with your background and work experience you should be able to get an interview in most places.

If you do get a job offer then you should pursue it and save yourself the full cost of the masters (albeit full cost minus the deposit), otherwise you can go ahead with the masters. Unlike the US, a masters is not seen as a vital prerequisite in most trading/structuring roles in the UK (bar the few very exotic/quant focused role).

Nonetheless, congratulations on your offer from LSE and fingers crossed you find something in the meantime.

 

The cost in terms of money and time is quite high. My advice would be as follows:

  • Defer the offer (if you can) for 1 year and spend that year trying to hussle into the role you're targeting. Even if you get an internship or a 1 year contract, it'll be a good use of time and you're an extra year ahead in terms of work experience.

I would suggest this route to you as you have a quanty econ degree from a top 10 (with a 1st). So your CV shouldn't look too shabby. Spending a year doing some internships (instead of a masters) would give that CV extra shine.

However, it goes without saying that the LSE MSc Finance course will lubricate your entry into most roles. It is valuable and internationally recognised. If you can afford the fees and can't defer entry, it's worth spending a year there.

Hope that's somewhat useful.

 

Thanks a lot for your time and responses.

There is quite a lot of information available internally about different roles in the bank, structuring included.

I was thinking of trying to get in contact with the author (of the structuring piece) and learn more/see where it leads.

Any tips for approaching a colleague in a different division? It would have to be via email because of Chinese walls etc.

Many thanks,

Emderman

 

Fuga officia et voluptas debitis. Esse aliquid itaque qui. Pariatur expedita aspernatur reprehenderit dignissimos dignissimos dolores laboriosam. Et id aliquid ipsum. Quisquam ipsam molestias velit facere molestiae totam similique.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”