Can a Graduate Degree from Oxford U help me get a salaried position in trading?

RichSohn · May 30, 2003

Usually, those who don't have the willingness to go to school and study are either really dumb or are lazy asses. Two traits that aren't very suitable for trading.

At least the traders with good academic backgrounds have something to fall back on just in case trading doesn't pan out. Those with no degrees have no where else to go but perhaps be spud technicians.

Kap · May 30, 2003

Quote from candletrader:

Yup, I gotta agree with ya on this, Brother Kap... the Oxford guy also better make sure he takes at least 2 programming languages along with him to interview, to at least give himself a chance against the PhDs... or, better still, he should seriously consider staying on after his masters and doin' a PhD which heavily involves stochastic calculus in conjunction with C++ modeling... boring stuff (imo), but it pays well if you are after a life of corporate slavery...

But, of course, none of this is necessary if all Mr Oxford wants to do is directionally scalp or employ simple arbitrage strategies... gimme a reformed gangster, a competitive sportsman or a card hustler anyday for this latter kind of trading

I think he indicated the latter, but then I don't think he knows what he wants to do, -

like a guy I remember who said I" just want a job in the markets" - " which area of the market are u interested in" I asked, " I dont know, I just want to work in the markets", to which I replied, " I think u should do some research first" - which he interpreted correctly as "F*ck off"

Ditch · May 30, 2003

Quote from RichSohn:

Usually, those who don't have the willingness to go to school and study are either really dumb or are lazy asses. Two traits that aren't very suitable for trading.

At least the traders with good academic backgrounds have something to fall back on just in case trading doesn't pan out. Those with no degrees have no where else to go but perhaps be spud technicians.

you're probably an academic from upper-class breeding

vanilla2 · May 30, 2003

...not nearly as suitable as being someone's rich son

RichSohn · May 30, 2003

actually, no. i'm a first generation korean and went to Queens college. my folks work at a small deli. until last year, my folks and 2 sisters shared a 2 bedroom apartment in Flushing. my wardrobe used to consist of 1 suit and a bunch of shirts and khakis i bought on sale at Conways. fortunately, i've made some decent money from the markets to move out on my own and afford some more luxuries (2 suits! and an occassional meal at TGIF's).

it's from my observations from the folks i've come into contact with that those who drop out of high school or not pursue a college degree generally lack ambition and have very small goals in life. i have yet to meet a high school drop out with the right work ethic to succeed in trading. they try for a couple months and fizzle out, hence more likely to give up easier.

i don't want to sound like a snob or anything (and with my Queens college degree, obviously I have no right to). i'm just sharing what i see.

Quote from Ditch:

you're probably an academic from upper-class breeding

Ditch · May 30, 2003

Quote from RichSohn:

actually, no. i'm a first generation korean and went to Queens college. my folks work at a small deli. until last year, my folks and 2 sisters shared a 2 bedroom apartment in Flushing. my wardrobe used to consist of 1 suit and a bunch of shirts and khakis i bought on sale at Conways. fortunately, i've made some decent money from the markets to move out on my own and afford some more luxuries (2 suits! and an occassional meal at TGIF's).

it's from my observations from the folks i've come into contact with that those who drop out of high school or not pursue a college degree generally lack ambition and have very small goals in life. i have yet to meet a high school drop out with the right work ethic to succeed in trading. they try for a couple months and fizzle out, hence more likely to give up easier.

i don't want to sound like a snob or anything (and with my Queens college degree, obviously I have no right to). i'm just sharing what i see.

What does RichSohn stand for then?

RichSohn · May 30, 2003

it stands for...my name: Rich Sohn. are you making some sort of subtle joke about my heritage?

Quote from Ditch:

What does RichSohn stand for then?

axeman · May 30, 2003

Side note...

Posts like this really confuse me.
If it's really such a mental game, and really all about
emotional control, etc, why is it that so many people
can't even find a single edge in the market?

Seems to me the biggest problem is finding an edge,
otherwise there would be plenty of trading books
you could pick up with systems in the them that REALLY
do work if you could simply control your emotions, etc.

This doesn't seem to be the case.

peace

axeman

Quote from Ditch:

Ok, but why not spend all that time, money and effort on learning to trade in stead of a obtaining a degree in a theoretical study, that will only give you marginal benefits in terms of becoming a successfull, self-employed trader. Trading is a mental game, it's all about controlling your emotions, that's the kind of skill you need to develop.

Ditch · May 30, 2003

Quote from RichSohn:

it stands for...my name: Rich Sohn. are you making some sort of subtle joke about my heritage?

No, i thought it stood for rich kid (Sohn being the German word for son). English isn't my native language so i'm missing out occasionally.

DT-waw · May 30, 2003

Quote from axeman:

Seems to me the biggest problem is finding an edge,
otherwise there would be plenty of trading books
you could pick up with systems in the them that REALLY
do work if you could simply control your emotions, etc.

Correct. Trading isn't only about mental state, psychology, etc. An edge is needed. System / plan / strategy. The science behind them is pretty simple.

<font color=red> "Anyone with average intelligence can learn to trade. This is not rocket science" </font> William Eckhardt