HiI was wondering whether anyone can tell me how the day of someone in structuring looks like? And how does it compare to trading in terms of working hours or compensation?

Stucturers structure products for the bank.e.g CDO structurers, build CDOs for the bank and are paid a fee (£ millions) for building that CDO product. Day to day duties can vary from modelling the components of the portfolio essentially ensuring the transaction can be sold to the market i.e they structure the product so it is attractive to investors. Structurers will perform alot of documentation work including some legal work. I guess they are similar to M&A bankers but are more technical.Traders will essentially work with structurers to price the products and will take over the product following placing of the CDO's in the market. Traders will usually work less hours since the work of a structurer is transaction based so depending on deadlines etc, structurers can find themselves working late into the night and possibly weekends.Pay for both are similar and really depends on how the bank values you individually.

Similar question though more of what kind of background is required for a structurer. I am guessing that a legal background would be a plus for a structurer, but that they are mainly looking for someone with an econometrics degree as opposed to an econ degree?

They look for mathematical people in general. So those qualified to be a quant will be qualified to be a structurer just like they would be qualified to be a trader or a risk manager. Of course you will need to be able to converse with clients and sales people so geeky, smart but shy mathematical people will not make the grade.A legal background is not required as a desk will usually have its legal experts that structurers will work with so you'll learn all the legal stuff you need to learn on the job.The problem with quants is they want to be a quant first and then try to move into structuring or trading. Highly mathematical people should become a trader or structurer in the first instance as being a quant or a risk manager will in general taint your CV if you want to move to front office later on. Of course there are exceptions.