Hi, I graduated from college in 2007 with a BA in mathematics and ever since have been working for a buy-side firm investing in MBS/ABS. If it is at all possible to get a job in this environment, I want to move into a derivatives trading/structuring position. Without a MSc in Quant Finance, what are the steps that I need to take to gain experience in the field? From the college days, I understand basic SDE, and I have implemented models in C++ and Matlab (and I'm currently enrolled in CQF 2009). When I look at job postings in, say, eFinancialcareers.com, all openings in derivatives trading/structuring are for experienced traders/structurers, and I can't help wondering how everyone gains any experience at all in the first place... I understand that there is no "standard" way of getting into the business, but I would like to know what are the "usual" venues. Should it be through an internship or a middle-office/back-office position? Your advice is much appreciated.