Is it easy to switch asset class in the career?

losemind · September 26th, 2009, 10:26 pm

Let's say if one starts from equity out of school, and then he/she wants to get into FX, is it easy? How hard is it? And how, if not impossible?

Apprentice · September 27th, 2009, 9:39 am

easy

JuniorStructurer · September 28th, 2009, 9:02 am

Its difficult but can be done.After grad entry, lateral hires are essentially based on what value you have and can bring to a team.CDO structurers for example who have been made redundant are likely to be more smarter and technical than an equities cash trader but such a candidate applying to a equities trading role for example wouldnt stand a chance against an average equities trader with more direct experience.Asset class switches are done more internally than externally and require a huge amount of luck.

deepvalue · September 29th, 2009, 5:10 am

it depends on your skill set. if you are an accoutant, moving from equity to fx/fi is impossible. if you are a mathematician and c++ programmer, then it should be easy to move to fx or fi. simlarly, if you are in fx and want to move to equities, it would be very hard unless you pass cfa exams and prove to people you can follow stocks and talk the talk.