Uh… in theory, yes, but it’s unlikely to happen these days because the industry has become more automated over time and there aren’t as many opportunities now.

Yes

However would you recommend developing oneself in a quantitative way (such as learning a programming language or two or do quantitative modules in university) to better position yourself for a career in trading for the reasons above?

I ask since even though there will be a human element to trading, it seems like most, if not all of it will be steered in a quantitative direction. That’s what I’m understanding, at least.

Yes, it’s possible, but there will always be some human element to trading as well, especially for more complex scenarios that require intuition.

Just to add, I’m referring to getting into trading as we know it now.

Would one have to seriously consider developing themselves in a quantitative way to get into what trading week become (outside trading for yourself or a prop house)?

Just wondering since I’m sure the very real possibility of automation (for trading more so, I’d say) would certainly be factored into the career planning of trading. Especially when weighing whether one should go into sales/broking or trading.

As we know, there is all this talk that trading will be fully automated in the future, whether in 10-20 years, I’m unsure.
Whereas broking wouldn’t be due to the obvious human elements of it and the sales aspects of it.

That said would it be fair to assume that trading might not have a future compared to broking which may still be around?

From what I can gather the sort of exit opportunities you can get from sales, you’d get with broking too. Whereas if you geared yourself for trading, it might be fruitless if you got in only to find it is say 95% automated – unless you trade with a prop house which is basically your own money most of the time. While finding yourself with limited exit opportunities.

There is a lot of overlap, but brokers are more responsible for the execution of trades, whereas salespeople are responsible for getting clients to trade in the first place.

First of all thank you for such a helpful website of yours! I have already recommended it to many friends.

However, I am still confused of the difference between sales & trading (Sales Side), broker, inter-dealer broker (IDB). I am mainly confused by the different roles that Sales (S&T) and Brokers take.

Thank you in advance