wilmott.com

Hi all,I have an offer from DRW for the trading assistant role. I visited both NY's commodities office and their HQ Chicago office. I currently live around NY and would prefer NY > Chicago, location wise. But at the same time, I don't mind jumping to Chicago if it's better for my growth potential. So where should I go?The way I see it is this: Chicago office has more teams, more people, more general exposure. New York's commodities team on the other hand is smaller, more intense (from what I hear and observe), and I will probably get more responsibilities starting out. I don't really know anything about commodity trading, but then again I don't really know anything about any other group's trading either.I'm 2 years out of college, currently with a fixed income hedge fund that's dying, working as a quant.Thanks in advance for your suggestions/advice!

Congratulations! What is your background?

Undergrad and Masters both in Electrical Engineering.

What are they offering you to do - stay in NY or move to Chicago? I am doubtful at this stage in your career if location would make any difference, especially when it is NY vs. Chicago. It is likely that you might not want to work with this firm after 3 years or perhaps 1 year. In that case, moving to Chicago might be a waste unless you land up with a better job in Chicago (which you could also do if you stay in NY office and the find another job). If you don't want to move to Chicago, then there is no point in trying. There are other aspects of a job like your friends, familiarity with place, contacts, etc etc which would take some time to build in a new place. Commodity trading is big right now and my guess is that it would be hot for several years.

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

Congratulations! DRW is a very decent firm and is growing rapidly. If I were you, I would take the Chicago office over the NY office. The living cost is lower and more interaction with other members of the firm. Also, nice kitchen in Chicago office. QuoteOriginally posted by: MotiHi all,I have an offer from DRW for the trading assistant role. I visited both NY's commodities office and their HQ Chicago office. I currently live around NY and would prefer NY > Chicago, location wise. But at the same time, I don't mind jumping to Chicago if it's better for my growth potential. So where should I go?The way I see it is this: Chicago office has more teams, more people, more general exposure. New York's commodities team on the other hand is smaller, more intense (from what I hear and observe), and I will probably get more responsibilities starting out. I don't really know anything about commodity trading, but then again I don't really know anything about any other group's trading either.I'm 2 years out of college, currently with a fixed income hedge fund that's dying, working as a quant.Thanks in advance for your suggestions/advice!

Does not seem very wise to move to a place because the kitchen is nicer . Besides if you like your job and your boss likes you, any place is sweet. The opposite is equally true, no matter where you are.

Thanks guys! I do like the kitchen in Chicago's office , but I do like the NY team and location. I chose NY.

Hi Moti,This might be a dumb question, but what sub-branch of electrical engineering was your focus? How is an EE background relevant for a quant job in a fixed income HF? Just curious.