Hello, Longtime reader, first-time poster. Iâd like to solicit some career advice from the board. I realize people ask for advice all the time and it can be annoying, but Iâm genuinely stumped with my career and would love to hear some opinions. Iâll be as brief as possible. Iâm 30 years old, college grad, no kids/wife/commitments, etc. I spent the first part of my career in consulting and then decided to try trading. I spent the next 2 years prop trading. While I loved trading like nothing else Iâve ever done, I never really got past survival mode and was ultimately forced to get a ârealâ job due to financial pressure/constraints. I had some success trading, but ultimately didnât learn what I needed to be successful fast enough. Iâm now at IIT (Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago) for a Masterâs in Financial Markets with a concentration in Financial Engineering. I have another 1.5 â 2 years until I graduate. Iâve been trying to get a job in the trading world doing just about anything that will help me build toward the future and learn. Iâve applied for trading jobs, trading assistant jobs, trade execution desk jobs, clerk jobs, etc, but havenât had any responses. Iâm committed to this industry and to trading, but seem to be stuck. Aside from just sitting tight, studying, and waiting until I have my FE degree to get back into the industry, does anyone have any advice/opinions/suggestions? Iâve always believed that if what youâre doing isnât working, you should seek advice and try a smarter approach. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Consulting? Was it IT? If so, focus on getting an IT job with some type of financial firm and leave the trading alone. Don't try to weasel your way into trading later on if such an offer comes about.