Looking for career advice

B

BTFD

A little background:

Have huge passion for becoming a successful trader (who doesn't?)

Got a math and economics degree from a top 25 university a year and a half ago

Spent 6 months as an options market maker after college - made money but was fired when volatility dropped and orders dried up

My question is, I live in the Chicago area and have been trying to get another gig for the past year with no luck. I feel like I've sent in an application to every place in Chicago and I've gotten about 5 interviews with no success. I'd really like to just start as a clerk at the CBOE or CBOT but I guess those jobs are hard to come by. The only place I really know to look for a clerking job is on Craigslist and a clerk position only seems to come up maybe once a month.

Another point, my GPA in college wasn't very good - 2.9. It seems like that coupled with my "experience" which wasn't really long enough for me to catch on as an "experienced" candidate anywhere are knocking me out of consideration everywhere.

Anyone have any pointers on firms that might be hiring or is it time to give up the trading dream?

Thanks for any and all input.
 
Quote from BTFD:

Got a math and economics degree from a top 25 university a year and a half ago...

Anyone have any pointers on firms that might be hiring or is it time to give up the trading dream?

Thanks for any and all input.
More...

A year and half out of a top 25 university and you're ready to give up your dream? I guess you best give up; no use being a damn fool about it.

BTW: Would you consider yourself part of the confirmation of this research: College is pretty much a total waste of time:

<blockquote>After two years in college, 45% of students showed no significant gains in learning; after four years, 36% showed little change.

Students also spent 50% less time studying compared with students a few decades ago, the research shows.</blockquote>

They also seem to give up easily when faced with challenges.
 
Appreciate the reply Roark.


I wasn't saying I'm considering giving up on my search, rather just trying to ask if I'm going about it in the wrong way.

I'm well aware of how much computers have transformed the trading landscape in the past ~15 years and how much harder it has made it for someone to break into the industry as opposed to years ago when any Joe with a high school diploma could get a job as a runner.
 
What is it that you think can make a contribution to the firm ?...or do you want to simply use the company as a launching pad?

Economics and mathematics degree and you are floundering?

Punch yourself in the eye and wake up!!!

Stay at school and get your masters or get a government job...worked for Obama...never worked a day in his life and look where he finished up...:eek: :eek:

NiN
 
Like so many: "I didn't go to college for nothing . . . . I paid for it."

As another saying goes: "If you can't trade . . . . trade corn."

(great place for a trader to start BTW).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top