Career advice.

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Just wonder if anyone on here has relevant experience in the financial markets with some of the larger trading firms to offer some career and education advice;

My son, who is 15 and still at high school is extremely interested in a career in the financial markets, specifically trading. He follows the market news on CNBC, Bloomberg and the FT daily and has done so for at least the last year and a half, he regularly paper trades, seems to know all the jargon and wants to be the next Warren Soros!
In short, he seems genuinely interested.

I know trading is a harsh business to be in and few are successful but if it is something he enjoys, I would like to encourage him as much as possible. My feeling is, in his early career at least, he should aim for a position with a large and reputable financial company to learn as much as possible.

With that in mind, what sort of educational and general experience path should he be looking at from this point on?
Which degree courses and grade and from which universities would be most suitable and expected by an employer?
Work experiences and internships. And even before that, what qualifications from high school, GCSE & A Level, should he be concentrating on.

In short, what would be the ideal resume ?

Many thanks,




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dbell66 said:

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My feeling is, in his early career at least, he should aim for a position with a large and reputable financial company to learn as much as possible.

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What are your sons feelings?

fxmarkets said:

What are your sons feelings?

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He is keen to just get on and trade.
I am trying to convince him that obtaining a good education with solid qualifications is important and in the long run, getting at least a few years experience and training from seasoned traders under his belt with a pro firm will be worth while in the end.

And if he can't hack it as a trader, he'll have a decent resume to fall back on.

I see, at his age i'd encourage his general education, and be aware of pressures on him. I think grooming at 15 to become a Bank Trader is an option, to be looked at when he's 18 maybe.

I mean does he want that type of setting or would he be happy trading his own money at age 18/21 on a general education? and would you be ok if he choose's that route. ?

But I would suggest he take on psychology or look into it at some point. Regardless of if he chooses corporate trading route or self funded trader at home or office etc.

I'm sure you'll get a list of degree's from members here soon that may act as door openers to corporates.
And as you point out a general good education is important but dont force, he might want to go solo at some point if he starts trading young 18/21 for himself . I say this because at 15 he seems (from what you have said) very keen indeed to get on with it. And uni may get in his way.

dbell66, age 15 is too early to plan. Good education comes first. See if he still has a passion for trading at 18. Meanwhile there is plenty of trading stuff on the internet for him to learn and follow as well as of course the financial press in which he should immerse himself.

fxmarkets said:

I see, at his age i'd encourage his general education, and be aware of pressures on him. I think grooming at 15 to become a Bank Trader is an option, to be looked at when he's 18 maybe.

I mean does he want that type of setting or would he be happy trading his own money at age 18/21 on a general education? and would you be ok if he choose's that route. ?

But I would suggest he take on psychology or look into it at some point. Regardless of if he chooses corporate trading route or self funded trader at home or office etc.

I'm sure you'll get a list of degree's from members here soon that may act as door openers to corporates.
And as you point out a general good education is important but dont force, he might want to go solo at some point if he starts trading young 18/21 for himself . I say this because at 15 he seems (from what you have said) very keen indeed to get on with it. And uni may get in his way.

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agree psychology is a must as a subject, also would help with mathematics, history and economics.

cass and reading uni do specialist subjects, have a friend who been to cass,
also most schools have trading related competitions, i think Times regularly do this
Remember the guy Manek who won this competition and now he runs a fund - was he not a shop keeper? i think, not sure

I really cant believe this
So this CHILD is interested in trading
At his age we were all interested in something ,then something else,then something else.
For Christ"s sake let him grow up,find his manhood,live a life,experience,and THEN let him make the decision.
DO NOT MAKE THE CHOICE FOR HIM

hello micknpete , i'm reading a lot into it but I think the son may be passionate about his subject,I dont think dad needs to stir up his sons interest (the son is already motivated himself) I think theres a fine line at that age between to push too hard and guide/support to help young people achieve their own natural interest or ambitions. Parents can help show their children the options but the individual child should "feel" as if s/he is making the choice for themselves. just my opinion. Trouble may start when parents say....." thats not better do this or that else you'll be this or end up there etc. "

forexguru99 said:

Remember the guy Manek who won this competition and now he runs a fund - was he not a shop keeper? i think, not sure

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jayesh Manek, qualified chemist mate, he won the times 3 years flat i think, templeton gave him 5million to manage took a battering due to market shift not sure how his funds doing now started at a quid per unit, went up and trading last time i glanced 65p ish. should be up a bit now though from there?

Best bet is for your son to concentrate on getting a good education. Once he has a good degree preferably in a numerate discipline and if his trading interest is still there he will have the most opportunity to pursue the style of trading that he desires. The very worst thing to do would be to neglect his education now as then his options in this sector will be very limited to none.

Hello dbell66. Hope you are O.K. Does your son use this site a lot? Do you yourself have an interest in this site? R.

I hope i'm wrong, but here goes. You have not got a 15 year old son. You just didn't have the confidence to write it for yourself.....did you? Why? R.

RUDEBOY said:

I hope i'm wrong, but here goes. You have not got a 15 year old son. You just didn't have the confidence to write it for yourself.....did you? Why? R.

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What the hell are you talking about??


Yes I use this site from time to time, I have bought and sold shares for the past 20 odd years. I think that is how he became interested. So what?

Rude boy if you have nothing usefull to add, just ignore the thread!

As far as pushing him into something he doesn’t want to do, If it was down to me, he’d come into the family business and take over when I’m done. I have deliberately not done this. Only now with his exams and what choices to make for A Levels on the horizon, am I looking into this more. I’m trying to educate myself on the subject, so that when or if he asks my advice, I can discuss it with him.

But I do feel strongly that whatever he chooses as a career, he goes to university and gets himself a good education and experience. And that I will push him on.





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dbell66 said:

But I do feel strongly that whatever he chooses as a career, he goes to university and gets himself a good education and experience. And that I will push him on.





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hmmm, but its ok if he decides otherwise ? else you run the risk of driving distance between the two. I think even if you can see potential brickwalls that people may walk into sometimes, perhaps all times you can advise them beforehand, thats your job done, but they will or should be free to walk the route that they feel is correct for them by them. forcing or pushing should not be used.

20 odd years?....Warren Soros? Come on, dbell66. Your'e talking about resumes for a 15 year old kid. If there is a problem it doesn't lie with your son it lies with you writing this. R.

Err,
dunno about psychology as a subject - as a huge number of students currently study this (and forgive me for cynicism, but as a practising teacher I tend towards the 'all psychologists should be shot' approach) then I'd suggest that one way to ensure the lad's CV DOESN'T stand out is to pick that one as an A level of choice.

Fuddy Duddy that I am I think 'hard' subjects like Maths, English, a foreign language (a useful one, not something 'exotic'), and ... well, I just have to suggest physics.... all at good grades tells a potential employer that this is someone intelligent and likely to be a hard worker. As an employer you want people capable of hard work and able to be trained/moulded to shape - with respect to my colleagues I doubt psychology GCSE really goes a long way towards helping the ab initio trainee to understand the delusion of crowds etc.

Dave

dbell66. You think you are clever trying to hide behind a make believe sentimental value that may play on other minds.....but your text gives it all away! What are you? A grad in the making? Trying your best to get information out of a world that will probably never be yours? R.

Fxmarkets

You’re absolutely right of course and I am aware of that. It’s just something I feel strongly about and I will do my best to persuade him it’s the correct route. If he decides not to, then of course I will support him in whatever choices he makes.

Thanks for the input.


Rudeboy

What’s your problem?
I really don’t give a fig what someone like you has to say and I’m pretty sure no one else does.

I will not waste anymore of my time replying to any future posts of yours.

dbell66, you have been exposed as a fraud. This will obviously make you mad....why?....because you were not as clever as you thought you was. You can have the last post, the last word or whatever. You can call me all the names under the sun....that's what i would expect of a fraud! If you can't be honest with yourself who are you going to be honest with? I just hope you realise my advice. Market wise, you are on the slippery slopes of self deception....you will never make it! Using a child as a disguise borders on being a sicko. Don't try to turn your initial thread on me now....it's too late for that. You were not clever in the first place, don't try to act clever now, it's too late....the game is up! You are of a fraudulent nature. Any employer worth thier salt would see straight through the likes of yourself. Do yourself a favour....lose the attitude and become a respectable human being. R.

there sure are some scary people out there!

How do i put someone on ignore?