How is the shape of a Prop Trader tipical career cycle?

John A: got job as prop trader. He could not sleep at night taking risk....after 6 month he was a nerve wrack and had to leave the business, he changed career to academia and was happy for rest of his life John B: got job as prop trader. He loved to take risk...he was seeking risk...made good money first year, got a small bonus...next year fired for blowing throug his limits...got another job, blowing up agian...got another job, got a bonus, then blowing up agian.....out of business....or moved to different city where less people had heard about himJohn C: After some luck and skilfull trading retired as multi milionair at age 29.... 2 years later bored of only spending money...returned to businessJohn D: Arbitrage trader making decent money every year...but have to work to 55 to retire to afford his lifestyle, fast carsJohn E: Age 70 could have retired, but simply loves trading.In other words in prop trading no typical shape I think....I have seen all the John's above...and there are many more career pathes cycles in prop trading...prop trading career more volatile than sales that is for sure. Who cares about the average or the typical when there is such wide distribution.... for sales peope average makes more sense...

Thanks a lot..very interesting

QuoteOriginally posted by: CollectorJohn C: After some luck and skilfull trading retired as multi milionair at age 29.... 2 years later bored of only spending money...returned to businessJohn D: Arbitrage trader making decent money every year...but have to work to 55 to retire to afford his lifestyle, fast carsJohn E: Age 70 could have retired, but simply loves trading.John Q: Son born with autism and deformed heart valves, spends 15 hours a day arguing with developmental tutors, au pairs, schizophrenic wife, superintendent of schools, insurance company.

I also forgot the survival ship bias:John H: Age 18, dreamed to become an investment bank trader, just started to trade some stocks on his own, applied to business school, age 19 died in motorbike accident.farmer "John Q: Son born with autism and deformed heart valves,"yes but at least his son could calculate Pi to 100 thousad decimals in his head (look for the positive)

derived question:why should a trader become a risk manager?

why should an offensive position learn defensive position?