How Do I Become a Trading Trainee?

To become a trading trainee you must have a solid educational background and the experience necessary to compete for a limited number of openings in the field. You should also meet all requirements necessary for licensure or certification. In addition, most trading trainees need to possess solid mathematical and communication skills.

An individual interested in pursuing a career as a trader is commonly hired into a position as a trader trainee. This allows him to learn the ropes while gaining on-the-job experience from qualified and experienced traders. Traders are responsible for trading commodities, such as energy and corn, as well as stocks and bonds on the global exchanges. These professionals can often be found working for equity firms, brokerage firms, and private enterprise.

If you want to become a trading trainee you should choose an appropriate educational path for the career. You will need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to enter a trader training program in most cases. Some employers may prefer to hire candidates with a master’s degree or higher. Possible undergraduate majors for interested candidates would include business, economics, finance, or accounting. Candidates pursuing a master’s degree should earn a master’s in business administration (MBA).

Depending on the employer, you may be required to have some relevant experience to become a trading trainee. This can include experience gained during internships in college or through employment in a relevant profession. For instance, experience in insurance or real estate sales can be beneficial.

Employers generally want to know that you are eligible to become certified, should you continue employment with them, so you must to meet some basic criteria for licensure. Beyond specific education — often provided by the employer — you will need to have a clean background record and good credit history. These types of qualifications are common in most financial positions, including those in investment, such as trading.

If you want to become a trading trainee, you must possess a core set of skills. This includes an excellent mathematical aptitude and the ability to analyze and process numbers. Other skills necessary to succeed in the position include strong communication skills and an ability to balance risk with reward.

Beyond education and skill requirements to become a trading trainee, candidates should also possess some specific personal characteristics often found in those successful in the field. These include the ability to work long hours and a determination to succeed. Other important attributes are a positive attitude and self-confidence.