The responsibilities of a trader

What led to your interest in finance?

I have always had a strong interest in economics, history and geopolitics. In college, I majored in math and minored in economics. I also joined a trader’s club and participated a few trading competitions. Understanding the operation of the financial markets is crucial for me to understand how society is formed and operated. I was excited to find that how my studies in math, statistics, programming can be utilized in the financial industry, so this ultimately led to pursuing a career in finance!

Can you tell us about your current role and day to day responsibilities?

As a quantitative trading analyst at DRW, my focus is on improving our systematic trading machine. During trading hours, I closely monitor macro news, market activities, our positions and risks and I also calibrate models to better deal with different market situations. Something else I enjoy in my day-to-day role is developing tools to automate the decision-making process in various aspects. I am continuously learning and being vigilant in a turbulent market, which means everything is always fast-paced and exciting. I also can get instant feedback from the market on the actions I take.

What do you like most about your job?

Each day is different! The market changes constantly and I can always learn from it. Also, I’m working on different aspects of the trading system so I can have a big picture over the whole business. My teammates offer me lots of trust and opportunities to learn and build new things, which help me grow quickly.

What advice do you have for young professionals who are interested in starting a career in finance, tech or trading in particular?

Self-motivation and passion about the markets are most important components given the fast-paced and high-energy nature of trading. I strongly suggest networking with professionals in the industry to learn more about their day-to-day work to figure out if it’s what you really want. Once you decide that is what you truly want, sharpen your skills in quantitative analysis, multi-tasking and communication.