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
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:
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
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