Dilema . . . Take job or Finish degree?

W

wjwskill

Junior member
Messages
19
Likes
0
I have just finished my second year at University, but have also been offered a job at a top prop trading firm on a graduate scheme. any ideas on what I should do? Simple answer says finish the degree, but what if i dont get this opportunity again?

Any thoughts would be helpful!
 
I'd finish the degree assuming it's a useful one; if it's post-chomskyian flower arranging at Hull I'd take the job. Reason being that it's easier to apply for a new job than it is for a new university course. Any decent prop firm will probably let you delay it. Or if you can arrange to start your new job in the summer holidays and then quit either the job or the university come October.
 
Yeah that's the idea really, I'm hoping it will start soon as to be honest. Then I can get the maximum amount of training before D-day (start of next term). It says they have 1000 applications a month so I feel quite priveledged to have got so far. Bit of a dilemma really. Hoping I am good at it, how long would it be before I earn decent money, 2 years?
 
WJW,

What is your degree, and who is the firm?

The answers are important because a "good" degree and a "top" trading firm are open to interpretation. And if your experience and knowledge is less than others (on T2W, for example), then your assessment may be incomplete or lacking.

Grant.
 
Grant is spot on. I don´t know that much about the prop world but you need to be careful not to throw away your degree for the illusion of a successful career. Have you read the Trading for a Firm thread? Cynical I may be, but it would be unusual for anyone decent to offer you a place on their grad scheme if you´re not a graduate. I´m sure there may be exceptions, but if you´re being asked to pay for any training, walk away. If you´re brilliant enough to get on the grad scheme at a decent shop without a degree, I´m sure they´ll be flexible enough to hold your place for another year.
 
I would definately agree with the last 2 posts. I would say it depends who the prop firm are.. If it's an arcade then you will more than likely get the opportunity again when you have fisnished your degree.
 
finish the degree!

there are lots of opportunities out there.
free free to PM me when you want to become a prop trader.

good luck





wjwskill said:
I have just finished my second year at University, but have also been offered a job at a top prop trading firm on a graduate scheme. any ideas on what I should do? Simple answer says finish the degree, but what if i dont get this opportunity again?

Any thoughts would be helpful!
Click to expand...
 
Most prop firms get 1000 applications a month afaik

Mind you a lot of them are like:

me want 2 trayd cuz want lots ov munny lol. i did econumics gcse got d and also english a leval at A. long interst in markets sinz i saw roag trader and think can do better at all that. please pay £70k inishul salary NOT NEGOCIBLE
 
Arabian,

That's probably about par for some of the graduate applicants as well.

Grant.
 
Does anyone have any idea about the length of contract prop firms would typically offer?
 
When I started trading 4 years ago, a typical contract was 2 years. This may have changed now though.
 
and how hard would it be able to get out of the contract if say after 6 months you realised that it wasn't for you?
 
it's amazing how many people want to 'trade' these days without having the first clue about trading. plenty of examples on here: 'i want to be a stockbroker or a trader'. erm, why exactly and do you know what each does.

too many people want the sup[posed flash lifestyle and don't realise how many don't make the grade, how many fluked a massive windfall or indeed the sheer amount of time and effort that you need to invest. i'm 5 years in and still get up before 5am and get home past 8pm every day....
 
au contraire-i love my job. it just seems to me that there is an illusion about 'trading'. Contrary to poular belief making money is tough and consistently making money even tougher. Sure there are guys who earn a fortune trading big bank books but more often than not they got there because they worked fecking hard and regularly make money. it isn't just as easy as walking through the door hungover on a morning, swinging a bat at the FTSE, being in the pub at 11 and then driving your aston home hammered. the liffe floor may have been like that sometimes but trading has changed immensely since then.

for me my job is unlike many of my non-work mates and has cost me plenty (not monetary) but i wouldn't change it for the world. every day is a new challenge...

not having a dig by the way-these are general observations. if you generally have an interest in the market and are willing to put in the hard yards then fair play and good luck to you.
 
I am sincerely, your advice is valued highly and I hope that in 5 years I can be in the same position as you giving advice to the new newbies!

What do you drive by the way? If its an aston that would be very ironic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Advice please
2
Replies
20
Views
3K
glyder
glyder
V
CFT financials interview, w/o degree . need advice
Replies
2
Views
5K
vinay1
V
Hollu$
A Little Advice...?
Replies
18
Views
3K
Technically Fundamental
Technically Fundamental
M
London Grad Seeks help
Replies
1
Views
2K
iq200
I
S
London Grad Seeks help
Replies
3
Views
2K
southP
S
Top