so you still consider gs to be the better offer? Also, the trading firm is a market-taking firm. Also, they trade based on volatility caused by news and earnings releases.
that's one of many forms of trading. it's closer to scalping, very short term. If you're good you might get a gig at SAC, but that's a long shot. Less than 1% of the big funds trade that way. It's very intense and it can burn you out quickly. Find out the attrition rate at the market making firm... Ask yourself why does a small/medium size firm hire so often...some are hiring all the time, because people are leaving all the time. At the end of the day it all comes down where you want to be in 10 years and how much risk you can tolerate. Right out of school you're poor and making fast bucks should be priority numero uno. For trading you need to be insensitive to risk.... hard if you're poor.
i'd suggest you get into goldman sachs and then if trading appeals to you, you can request to change departments to their proprietary trading. happens all the time. i know computer engineers in their IT dept who shifted over to do alot of their quant trading work.
i don't know if this is self-implied, but shouldn't you go somewhere you think you would enjoy your life most?
This kid didnt go to a good school, doesnt have a job offer and is jerking y'all around. This thread should be locked and junked - just like this kid.
wharton is the most overrated school in the universe, especially when it comes to finance. check the finance elective list at Wharton and compare to Columbia and NYU, Wharton looks like a community college.
Honestly , by your extreme concern about salary i'd say take the job at Goldman..... People that are die hard traders...are just that...die hards they live breath and eat it (at least teh succssful ones i know) THey are not only looking at $ and c...its a lifestyle choice you need to ask yourself what is more important....working 100 hours a week and rising a corporate ladder all the time making a sweet salary with insurance and 401 k and all the riches of corporate life. Just being told..what to do and how to do it or Laying your balls on the table each and everyday in your t shirt and jeans playing a "video game" not knowing before the year starts if your gonna make a million bucks or spend all year working back a keyboard error. Constantly learning, adapting, reading, networking to find that little edge you need to exploit. Certain people need the guarantee.....the 2 week vacation, expense acct, suits ,etc Others are born to trade, vacation, party, and enjoy life on their terms OH....if trading fails....u can go back to B school..get an MBA and then get your corp 9-6 100k a year job hard to start trading once u start a family and need the flow if u know what i mean I honestly think in your case, by ur questions and tone...ur better suited for Goldman just my 2c d