Questions About Being A Trader

H

HighFrequencyBum

So I graduated with an Accounting degree from a small school with a poor GPA because I'm lazy. My original plan was to get a job that pays $50-80k and live a decent life. That's still doable and I like having the Accounting degree because Accounting firms look after their own and only hire people with acct degrees and F500 companies value the degree as well, but I'm not sure I'll be satisfied with it as it doesn't pay well enough initially and it takes experience to make hundreds of thousands.

But trading pays well, so here I am. What are my options? Can I just take some calc classes, learn to code and try to get in with a firm or do I need a STEM degree? I've seen some prop firms accepting business majors but they have a high GPA requirement, maybe I could convince one to take me on though.
 
This is an urban legend:

A reporter sat next to a prominent hedge fund manager at a dinner and said to him: "why do you keep working? Once I made a hundred million or so, I would stop and live the good life."
The hedge fund manager replied, "that's why you will never make a hundred million."
 
HighFrequencyBum said:
Well I don't want to be lazy anymore. And I'm willing to take the risk now that I have a backup plan.
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Doesn't sound a definite change at all. You can expect to work 100 hours a week for couple years, you won't know if it is raining outside or bright and sunny, months will pass didn't even realize your birthday was three months ago and really don't care that it did.

Most props that I know of want guys who at least proved they have some skills, but you not proved anything in four years. Trading is about what you can do and that takes time and as far as going to F500 companies for Accounting, do you realize how deep the applications are for jobs? Best to go start Masters and work your rear end off to show you know who you other than lazy person. See if you can go intern somewhere as you working on Masters to eventually take CPA exam.

LOL, " convince one to take me on though", do you know the hundreds of wannabees they turn down who showed they were not lazy past four years?

Certainly try to get into Prop, but don't be disappointed when you keep getting same answers.
 
Handle123 said:
Doesn't sound a definite change at all. You can expect to work 100 hours a week for couple years, you won't know if it is raining outside or bright and sunny, months will pass didn't even realize your birthday was three months ago and really don't care that it did.

Most props that I know of want guys who at least proved they have some skills, but you not proved anything in four years. Trading is about what you can do and that takes time and as far as going to F500 companies for Accounting, do you realize how deep the applications are for jobs? Best to go start Masters and work your rear end off to show you know who you other than lazy person. See if you can go intern somewhere as you working on Masters to eventually take CPA exam.

LOL, " convince one to take me on though", do you know the hundreds of wannabees they turn down who showed they were not lazy past four years?

Certainly try to get into Prop, but don't be disappointed when you keep getting same answers.
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Thanks for the response, I appreciate the reality check. I've already experienced a lot of non-replies to applications at F500 I've completed.

As for the change in attitude I'd be willing to work long hours if it paid well enough, but I'm not willing to work long hours in public accounting for $50,000 a year.

I don't want to waste time doing the CPA because it's just a certification and offers nothing else of actual tangible intelligence, value wise people want CPAs and I recognize that but it's so stupid considering all the actual knowledge you need to start in accounting is principles of financial accounting. Same with the master's program, I'd rather spend my time learning math or code.

If all else fails, I can still hope to work in accounting or F500 by just making contacts.

I was just wanting to know if I needed a degree or will some A's in math classes and coding a good project be enough to prove that someone would be capable of doing the job.
 
HighFrequencyBum said:
Thanks for the response, I appreciate the reality check. I've already experienced a lot of non-replies to applications at F500 I've completed.

As for the change in attitude I'd be willing to work long hours if it paid well enough, but I'm not willing to work long hours in public accounting for $50,000 a year.

I don't want to waste time doing the CPA because it's just a certification and offers nothing else of actual tangible intelligence, value wise people want CPAs and I recognize that but it's so stupid considering all the actual knowledge you need to start in accounting is principles of financial accounting. Same with the master's program, I'd rather spend my time learning math or code.

If all else fails, I can still hope to work in accounting or F500 by just making contacts.

I was just wanting to know if I needed a degree or will some A's in math classes and coding a good project be enough to prove that someone would be capable of doing the job.
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24

*sigh*

You're going to have to find some way of proving yourself. A degree isn't going to help. Neither are "classes". You need to find somebody who will hire you. Your compensation will be irrelevant. You need to demonstrate your work ethic and your work product. You won't be able to do that unless and until you get a job. If you're lucky, you might be in a position in that job to meet people and begin networking. Absent that, you have to stand out in some way. If you can't, or don't, or don't want to, then you'll be just another one of the faceless billions who crap away their lives. If you don't want to put in the hours, then there will very likely be a single-wide in your future, if you're lucky.

You're just starting. In fact, in many ways, you haven't even begun to start. A third of your life is done. Determine what exactly it is that you want to do then do it. The money will come later.
 
dbphoenix said:
24

*sigh*

You're going to have to find some way of proving yourself. A degree isn't going to help. Neither are "classes". You need to find somebody who will hire you. Your compensation will be irrelevant. You need to demonstrate your work ethic and your work product. You won't be able to do that unless and until you get a job. If you're lucky, you might be in a position in that job to meet people and begin networking. Absent that, you have to stand out in some way. If you can't, or don't, or don't want to, then you'll be just another one of the faceless billions who crap away their lives. If you don't want to put in the hours, then there will very likely be a single-wide in your future, if you're lucky.

You're just starting. In fact, in many ways, you haven't even begun to start. A third of your life is done. Determine what exactly it is that you want to do then do it. The money will come later.
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A single wide, is it really that grim in the real world? I think I could find a decent job in smaller city or town and be able to afford to rent a home at least. Maybe I'm not fully aware though.
 
HighFrequencyBum said:
A single wide, is it really that grim in the real world? I think I could find a decent job in smaller city or town and be able to afford to rent a home at least. Maybe I'm not fully aware though.
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You might. But is that really all you want out of life?

You don't have a great deal of time. Maybe two or three years. Thirty will be there before you know it. Then 35.

Get a job. Work your ass off. Then make the most of what you have at that time.
 
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