Trading Application Specialist shares his path to DRW
Trading Application Specialist Mikey sat down with us to discuss his career and what he enjoys most about our Chicago office.
What was your path to DRW?
After graduating from Indiana University, I started my career at the Chicago Board of Trade as a Fixed Income RV trader, focusing on Eurodollars, BrokerTec cash, and Treasury Note futures. After a few years as a trader in the derivatives markets, I decided that I wanted to take my knowledge of the markets and transition to the technology side of the business.
Therefore, I relocated to San Francisco and began a new role with Bloomberg’s Product Analytics team supporting their suite of FICC (Fixed Income, Commodities, & FX) trading functionality. After a couple years in San Francisco, I moved back to Chicago to be closer to my family and started working at a derivative trading ISV called Trading Technologies. At TT, I had a role on their product team focusing on Business Intelligence and data analytics. I worked there for 3 years prior to joining DRW as a Trading Application Specialist.
Can you tell us about your current role and day-to-day responsibilities/projects?
In my current role, I act as a liaison between the development team and the end users of an internal proprietary trading system. The users of this trading software execute exchange listed futures across many exchanges world-wide, focusing on a variety of asset-classes and trading strategies. My day-to-day responsibilities are ever evolving and will often change as our technology group works to ensure that DRW traders are in the best position possible to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the market. At the end of the day, my goal is to make sure that our global team of traders have the tools that they need to achieve optimal execution of their trading strategies.
How have you grown in your career at DRW? What tools/people helped?
My work at DRW has exposed me to new technology, new trades, and new markets. I have grown through this exposure and through the constant support of my colleagues.
When I begin work on a new project or initiative, I am often provided with new tools and introduced to new teams that will help me accomplish my goals. Individual teams on the technology side are always happy to discuss how their tools can help solve a specific or firm-wide challenge that may emerge. I never hesitate to send someone a message or hop on a call to ask questions or explore functionality.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is working directly with our traders. The financial markets are constantly evolving, so whether it’s a new market or a new strategy within an existing trade, I have the challenge of working with the end users of the software to ensure that they have what they need to succeed. Luckily, I am surrounded by an incredibly talented group of engineers, which makes my job a lot easier.
What 3 skills are key for someone interested in a trading specialist role at DRW?
Strong interest in the financial markets
Effective communication
Growth mindset and the curiosity to learn about new technologies or markets
What's your favorite thing about the Chicago office culture?
DRW’s global culture is entrepreneurial, fast-paced, and collaborative. As the headquarters for DRW, the Chicago office epitomizes this culture. My favorite thing about the Chicago office is the energy on the trading floor. Individual desks at DRW are constantly innovating to solve problems and capture opportunities in the market, so it is always exciting to swing by a trader’s desk on a busy day. Walking around the Chicago office, you have a sense that you are somewhere special: a place where you can make a real positive impact on the global financial markets