<t>I've used TradeStation for about 5 years. Its programming language, EasyLanguage, is pretty nice and there are many resources, including a very active and helpful user forum with lots of downloadable code to help you make it do what you want it to do. TradeStation would be an all-in-one solution ...

<t>Whew, this is kind of a big, complicated topic, and I'm not a medical insurance broker. The first point is that rules completely vary by state. There are a few states that require insurance companies to issue policies to anyone (and often forbid them from excluding payment for pre-existing condit...

<t>Having been self-employed, I discovered health insurance isn't nearly as expensive or difficult to acquire in the U.S. as the popular media leads you to believe (provided you are careful to buy your next insurance package while you are still covered by proof of insurability -- especially if you h...

<t>As ppauper points out, the Series 3 is really the CFTC's exam; it is only administered by the NASD. You certainly do not need to be sponsored by a NASD (which has nothing to do with futures) firm to take the Series 3. In fact, many of the people required to take the Series 3 don't even work for a...

<t>Yes, I completed the CMT series about a year-and-a-half ago. I'm guessing you want some thoughts on it...The CMT exam has not, in my opinion, historically been very rigorous nor the Market Technicians Association very organized, but they seem to be making a lot of improvements in the exam process...

<t>Disptra, yep, I use a lot of technical analysis in my work. I'm proud to be one of the few people lifeless enough to earn both the CFA and CMT (Chartered Market Technician) qualifications. Candlesticks rule. Does anyone learn bar charts anymore?TraderJoe, in all fairness, I probably can't blame t...

<t>Like jd1123, there's so much prejudice and misinformation in this thread that it's hard to know where to start. I'll try by answering the original post and thread topic "What is trading like?"QuoteOriginally posted by: almosteverywhereWithin the next two years, I'm looking to move into trading......

<t>I've never worked at a bank, so I'll pass on 1 & 2. I'd say you need to demonstrate a strong work ethic, get along with everyone and fit into the culture, show some smarts, and be humble yet assertive. You'll need to impress the people on the desk you want to join. Depending on how good your ...

<t>Yes, strips are pretty common because they're a simple way to hedge one's exposure for a period of time. I wouldn't say the exotic business is quite in its birth stage; some of these markets have been actively traded for a long time (150+ years for ag, not counting the early 1700s Osaka rice cont...

<t>There was a thread a while back about energy quant jobs under "Quant jobs in energy companies".Energy trading has a large demand for quants. Because of the quantitative nature of the market, there is always a big demand for modeling fundamentals, pricing derivatives, and valuing deals and assets....

<t>Presumably, you will be interviewing with an investment bank... It would help a bit if you let us know what experience level you are (masters graduate? undergrad?).The bank will set up a large number of interviews where various people interview all the candidates. You will be interviewing constan...

<t>For quants new to the energy business, I don't think the interviews or requirements are really all that different. I've seen people move from pure academics to energy without problems. Expect the usual interview: quant tests, thought problems, etc. After you've been in the industry for a while, I...

<t>Just to establish my background, I have worked in the energy merchant/commodities trading business for my entire career.I assume you're talking about quant jobs in an energy commodities trading group, rather than petroleum jobs like Dr. Wang mentioned. If you're talking about a quant job in an en...