"trader" is a job title. some traders actually trade and have discretion. some execute orders. some program. some operate automated algos. some click away all day. some sleep at there desk or watch movies.
I don't agree with that, I'm just saying that's how it is. I personally hate the culture and feel like we miss out on some characters who have some real creativity with the Ivy League/SAT filter. I look for good school as a base, an SAT score above 1350, and after that it's just whether someone's eyes light up at the sound of certain projects. If the job is like IT or something, I don't even care -- just look for experience. I tend to give the thumbs up when I have to interview a guy with the criteria I see.
funny thing is that when I was on the floor about 18 years ago, most options market makers hadn't even finished university, that didn't necesarily make them worse traders, some of the best were amongst them.