How to broaden horizons with trading experience

I have spent approximately 6000 hours trading my own futures account, broke even in an import from India entrepreneurial venture. Before this I worked as a liason between a US owner and a Swedish dental products manufacturer in Sweden. Also, have clerked at the CBOT and done electronic options market making. As a generalist and average but profitable trader how can I take my diverse experiences and get more out of my career, broaden my horizons, and meet people who compliment me? I currently live in Milwaukee where I trade my own account, but should I just pack my bags and move back to a big city? Is it naive of me to think that moving back to a big city will dramatically change my complete lack of social network? I am currently 28 and graduated from Babson College in 2006.

Thank you,

Andre Wallin

 
UFOinsider:
1. Take your name off 2. build a network here 3. grad school
  1. Why?
  2. sounds like a good start
  3. graduate school is a waste of time and money imo unless you go to top 5 mba and I ain't getting in there.
 
Best Response
drewallin83:
UFOinsider:
1. Take your name off 2. build a network here 3. grad school
  1. Why?
  2. sounds like a good start
  3. graduate school is a waste of time and money imo unless you go to top 5 mba and I ain't getting in there.
  • Because a total stranger (me) just tracked you down on google earth. Nice house buddy.
  • Yes, despite the knuckleheaded joking, there's a lot of cool and successful people here.
  • MSF, MQF, MSFM programs give you a shot at analyst recruiting. CFA, series XY, etc can help too.
  • Seriously, it sounds like you have the mind for this stuff, now you just kind of want to get yourself on the radar. Unfortunately, this industry ISN'T a strict meritocracy in most cases. You don't need a top 5 school, but at the same time, you want to get yourself into the system and a master's is what I would have done after ugrad if I'd know better at the time. It's a reset button, and you can go from a 3.0 history major working at Starbucks to a BB IBD/S&T analyst in 9-14 months. After a couple of years of working, a top MBA becomes a realistic aspiration if you so choose to pursue that route.

    It will only help if you can document your trading record. Then, get it in front of people.

    Also, hit up linkedin, your alumni network, and start calling firms to see if you can make friends / find an opening. Contact user ANT for info on master's programs, he's the resident guru.
    Good luck

    Get busy living
     

    Ullam voluptatum dolor quis voluptate optio sapiente quibusdam. Qui et et dolore veritatis atque facere dolores. Reprehenderit est dolorem cum accusantium. Reprehenderit ex quo dolorem et consequatur. Laboriosam sunt ratione eveniet.

    Voluptatem et eius est repellendus ipsa. Nihil rerum tenetur veritatis et et eius quia. Veritatis soluta est ullam ab. Enim blanditiis facere est placeat. Illo sed ab dignissimos exercitationem perspiciatis mollitia qui. Rem facere cumque exercitationem et animi.

    Career Advancement Opportunities

    May 2024 Investment Banking

    • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
    • Lazard Freres No 98.9%
    • Harris Williams & Co. 25 98.3%
    • Goldman Sachs 17 97.7%
    • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

    Overall Employee Satisfaction

    May 2024 Investment Banking

    • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
    • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
    • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
    • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
    • William Blair 04 97.1%

    Professional Growth Opportunities

    May 2024 Investment Banking

    • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
    • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
    • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
    • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
    • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

    Total Avg Compensation

    May 2024 Investment Banking

    • Director/MD (5) $648
    • Vice President (21) $373
    • Associates (91) $259
    • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
    • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
    • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
    • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
    • Intern/Summer Analyst (148) $101
    notes
    16 IB Interviews Notes

    “... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

    Leaderboard

    success
    From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

    “... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”