I´m a citizen of a Latin American Country (Peru, being more accurate). I currently work in a local private bank, as a junior investment manager . I have 24 years old. I have a BS in economics from a local university.I wan´t to work as a Fixed Income Trader in a international bank or a hedge fund (that one actually is my dream!). The problem of working as a Trader here is that..there isn´t a fixed income market (well, there is one, but is like it doesn`t exist, i remember that the trader of the bank spend all of his time chatting through Msn Messenger!) and the equity market is a little better, but not much. Derivatives? Please!!Heres the deal: My original plan was to get an MBA in an Ivy League School of the US o a top european school and then all the doors would magically open for me in any G-7 country with a developed market right?...NO!! More research has show that the trading business requieres a deep knowledge of math and sciences (i think i don´t need to say that in my country there is very little math involved in the finance business). Now, my plan changed. Get here a MSc in math from a local university (because, believe or not, they are good and cheap), then get a MBA (why still the MBA? Because an MBA in Wharton, Chicago or Columbia would became my presentation in the international finantial markets, and also, i love finance, but i believe in being a round person and want to became a CEO sometime, not just an star trader, quant or whatever). Do you think that this is a reasonable plan?. Why not get directly an Msc in math or finance from a top school? because i believe my work experience doesn´t give me the necesary qualifications for one.Does this plan make sense? is brilliant? idiotic? Do you have a better idea? Should i pursue this or look for another line of work? Would people value the mix Msc Math in a little known university + MBA in prestigious school? Has someone gone through something similar? Please, any input would be good and appreciated.

fwiwhola,I dont know if I can be of much help, as I am not a career advisor expert.but one thing is for sure: if you work hard, you will get the rewards.I came from Portugal, which is a tiny country in Europe. I worked hard, and I am now in the UK in a top university. If I keep working hard, I know that will end up in a good job.About the particular path you should take, I really dont know.When I had to make choices, I made them in a quite simple way: I chose what I enjoyed to do the most.because if you enjoy what you're doing, then you'll be automatically motivated.And if you are motivated you are bound to succed.I wish you the best of lucks!Alex

Hola, buenos tardes -Vale, if you have the money, grades, experience and can get into a top US MBA then I would take that route - trying to get into a top US I-bank in London or NY will be very hard for someone with a degree from a no name university. For instance, in London HR say at Morgan Stanley will all know if you get a 1st class degree from say LSE, Warwick, York and have the experience etc.. that you should be someone of quality. By getting say an MBA (finance) from Chicago, NY etc.. you are easily more marketable

Hi,Your plan sounds good.If you have the money and the grades... apply for your MSc at a UK uni. If you can get into a respectable uni ie. LBS, LSE, Imperial, Oxbridge then you should be able to apply directly for a job in the London market or for an MBA.