I've been working as a programmer for 9 years. Currently at a stage in life where I'm looking for another job, and am thinking and joining a firm that deals with trading. The primary motivation for me is to learn how money works so that I can get some plans in place to achieve financial independence, i.e. stop selling my time for money. If we have to sell 8 hours a day for money, might as well learn something in return. Also I heard people in such firms are pretty competitive and the vibe is down to earth and dynamic which I like. Anyway, anyone got experience working for those? How's the feel? What are some good ones to consider?
Yeah, you won't learn jacksh*it. Or as much as digging trenches and wheelbarrowing mortar up the strairs will teach you about building castles. Probably you'd learn more about castles as the lowest peasant employed to do some work around it than you will find about successful trading working as a programmer in finance.
My son in law dropped out of UCLA...He was computer science and hated to code for eight hours a day. Got a job as a techie at a school district. Fair pay/good benefits. About at the age of 30 he started loving to code. He went to a local state college with online courses. He got a BS in computer science. He got certified with this and that...A wide open field for him now. My thoughts...Keep working. Find a "qualified" school (that people respect). Do as many online courses as you can. Maybe get a BS in computer science with a minor in finance (or vice versa). That should get your foot in the door...
Working in finance can be incredibly rewarding, offering a blend of analytical challenges and strategic thinking. From my experience, the fast-paced environment keeps you on your toes, and there’s a real sense of accomplishment when your decisions lead to successful outcomes. However, it’s not without its pressures; the responsibility can be weighty, and the hours long. But for those with a passion for numbers and markets, finance can offer a dynamic career path with ample opportunities for growth and learning. It’s a field where diligence and adaptability are key, and where each day brings new puzzles to solve.
>> Considering working in finance I have the opposite problem, considering quitting being interested in finance. But to paraphrase Mark Twain: "Giving up on finance is easy... I've done it hundreds of times"
Considering your extensive experience as a programmer, continuing in your field while starting to invest part of your earnings might be a wise approach. This way, you can leverage your skills and stability while exploring the financial world to work towards independence.