alexanderlondon,drop me a PM

matt247,if I see sth like that, I'd apply immediately Life is already hard enough, why not have some fun...btw, back to orig post - part time MTF most reasonable choice.

Hi alexanderlondon,Here's one option that I didn't see on your list. If you already work in product control, you have the unique opportunity to interact with traders and desk managers. One typical route into trading is to try to impress the crap out of these people from your current function, and show a devoted interest to the business. I think that you will find this is a much more typical route onto a trading desk than further schooling. The upside is that you get paid to do this. There is not much that you will learn in school that can't be learned while on the desk, or working in an ancillary function like product control. As far as support functions go, I think you probably have one of the best being you sit with the traders (or I assume you do, that is how it is at my shop). Show your interest, interact with the right people and try to always leave a good impression. Go above and beyond to learn as much as you can about the business. If your shop is anything like mine, lots of people want to trade, but few back up their words with hard work and effort to show this. Actions speak louder than words and your actions will be noticed if you're persistent enough.Other than that I cannot comment on the best route via the options you mentioned. My guess is that an MBA with a focus on financial engineering from a TOP school would be your best bet.

jd1123 makes some good suggestions. For some firms, the product control route works extremely well. I've worked at firms where product control is often used as a proving ground for would be traders with progression to the desk often occuring within 2 years. I've also worked at firms where product control has very direct interaction with the desk and most of the entry level traders are MBAs. You need to find out how viable the product control route is at your particular firm, if its not viable, an MBA is probably your best bet. Contary to what you may think, most traders/salespeople do not have particularly strong quantitative backgrounds. Most traders on a credit derivatives desk probably have math skills no stronger than your typical undergrad, but it doesn't make them any less proficient. Think of it this way, Michael Schmacher may not be able to build his F1 car, but would you rather have him drive it or his mechanic ?

I do not plan to do a MFE unless it is absolutely necessary. There are 2 reasons. First, I do not want to take GMAT exam. It will take me at least 3 months to prepare to get 700+ score. I would rather spend this time to study for quant myself. Second, most of good MFE program are full-time. It means I have to give up my job and pay the tuition. The total cost is just too high for me at this point. That said. I do plan to take CFA level 1 exam this December. It is the cheapest way to show my commitement and basic knowledge of finance. I have read about half of CFA textbooks. I do understand it is not necessarily helpful for quant jobs. I think valuation of company will help if one trades long term stock option. i.e. leaps. If you know company will have strong revenue growth and it is undervalued and the stock will likely go up. It certainly gives you an advantage.

Agree 100% with jd1123. If you talk to traders, you'll probably find that their backgrounds are from all over the place. I suspect the differences among an MFE/MBA/CFA will be small compared to the large effect that networking, impressing people already in the places you want to be, and more networking will have on your chances of landing the first trading job.

-----------Think of it this way, Michael Schmacher may not be able to build his F1 car, but would you rather have him drive it or his mechanic ?----------That's just brilliant. I'm going to go now and use it.