Susquehanna -- WOW! I'm envious. Indahook's advice about traders being rude and abrupt is the best of this thread so far. Grow thick skin. "Markets Wizards" books are the best starting point. Beyond that, it's a matter of personal preference.
Could you tell us how and why you got the job? __________________ submitted my resume and interviewed on campus (I go to an ivy league school and interviewed with all the big investment banks, trading firms, and hedge funds that came to recruit) I got a lot of interviews because of a good resume- solid gpa in chemical engineering, club basketball, vp of my fraternity, internship at a bulge bracket investment bank... Interviews were the most intense of any others that I had- if you put together all the interview rounds, it was probably 10 hours of interviewing, 90% of it math/logic/probability/brainteasers/gambling problems, the other 10% being personality questions. Chose their offer over others because it was a young, energetic firm without beaurocracy, and I was attracted to their really intensive training program... plus they paid more (paid a lot more when you look at it from a per hour basis compared to ibanking or consulting)
Your time at SIG can be many things. Learn everything you can, volunteer for every project, be the one they want to keep and you will be paid very well. They have many different businesses and will be open to your new trading ideas. Take chances. If on the other hand things don't work out, and many people do not work out, you will be well positioned to move on. Having SIG on your resume will get you a chance at any company on Wall Street. Some of the most successful people in trading are former SIG employees. Good Luck
SIG is a top-notch outfit... I have two friends who used to work there, and they are happy (and wealthy) for their experience...
Traderguy, Just applied @ susq. did a search and came across your old posts. Just wondering how your summer position went and whether you still work there? Thanks. DF
Honestly, they don't care that you know nothing about finance or they wouldn't have hired you. What they do care about is your mathematical/problem solving skills. They have an exhaustive training program so don't worry about it. They prefer you come in with a clean slate.
Takes time and some missleading by "Non Science" traders to starts with... You'll be like wow...these guys really know what they are doing 6 months latter at that Job U'll relize what engineering will do for U... Risk Management...or so called Value at risk is a must Get Ur stats books and Use Some Into Trading Options... I think You might wanna know the equation for Black-Sholtes Fair Values 2 Year U'll kick some azz at that Job... GL Kal