I have a younger brother, he is 21 now, and he says he want's to make a career in finance. I've never worked as a trader professionally, so I have a couple of questions. Is it hard to get this kind of job? Where he should start(he has degree in finance) and is it really worth it? Thanks
Trading as a career.
- Thread starter Michael J. Fletcher
- Start date
You need to be a little more specific then that. You might as well say he wants to go into "business", is that a good idea.
As a finance student the general consensus is go to a top ivy league college you don't even need to study finance. Have internships during summers for investment banks maybe a hedge fund if you are lucky. When you graduate one of the firms will take you on.
If you didn't go to an ivy your best bet is to know someone who will vouch for you. Your options are pretty bleak otherwise and you will probably end up trading at a prop firm or running a personal account like a lot of folks here.
If you didn't go to an ivy your best bet is to know someone who will vouch for you. Your options are pretty bleak otherwise and you will probably end up trading at a prop firm or running a personal account like a lot of folks here.
What does trading have to do with finance? Successful trading has nothing to do with a degree. Further, it's not really a job, is it? Trading for a living is extremely difficult, while trading to make money is slightly less so.
I agree...all of those hedge fund trader guys and investment bank executives went to Ivy league colleges and had polished resumes.
This world is pretty much a traditional, old school, boys club.
Good luck trying to break into it...if you are not groomed from the same pedigreed cloth.But can you blame them/this Wall St world...you are handling hundreds of millions of dollars of clients' money...they naturally want the best of the best.
Someone close this thread before I shoot myself. Must be solar flares....
Trading as a career can be quite profitable, especially if you have a degree in finance. Don't take the first offer. Profitable traders are hard to find. If Goldman Sachs or Morgan Stanely don't return your calls, don't be discouraged. Many firms will hire you if you put up the initial 25k investment.
Have him start by attending local events, QWAFAFEW in NY or Boston, R/Finance in Chicago, PBHFA in Palm Beach, etc. Talk to people, get an understanding of the landscape.
Several entry level trading roles are advertised at my school. They generally look for Econ or STEM kids. We don't have a finance major available. Look at the Chicago market making firms. They represent the bulk of the trading recruitment done at my school.