I have been trading for a while and I want to take things to the next level. Wall street feels very different from what I am doing.
What background do you need to get started there? Is it all about connections or can anyone succeed?
It feels overwhelming when I think about it.
Breaking into Wall Street seems huge, but it’s not just degrees or who you know.
Your trading track record matters most. Document every trade so you can see how you’re improving. Hit up local finance meetups for networking - you’d be surprised what doors open from random conversations.
Build a solid track record before chasing Wall Street dreams. Most retail traders fantasize about institutional gigs without proving they can consistently profit trading their own money.
Document every trade - screenshots, P&L statements, everything. After 6-12 months of consistent profits, you’ll have real proof for prop shops and smaller funds. They care about your actual results, not fancy degrees.
This video breaks down why tracking performance matters for making that jump:
Once you’ve got proven results, reaching out gets way easier. Your numbers do the talking.
Big firms want finance or econ degrees plus internships. CFA helps if you go buy-side. For prop trading, your track record beats who you know. Start small and work your way up.
Most Wall Street jobs honestly pay less than good independent trading.
Wall Street crushed my dreams three years ago when I first tried breaking in.
Firms wanted finance degrees or connections I didn’t have. Those rejection emails hurt more than my worst trades.
Now I’m building my track record first. Hit 180% returns in my best month, which got me into smaller prop firms.
Sometimes you gotta take the long way around.