How can I get into derivatives trading with a non-STEM degree?

People who work in exotic derivatives tend to be French so you probably won't get a place in an exotics desk or fit into the culture. I've heard they even speak in French and not English at those desks, so learn French first of all if you want a chance.

Secondly, take as many maths modules as possible and do a Masters degree at a target university in something like financial math - people at exotics desks usually have a postgrad degree, more than other desks.

Can I have more information regarding the French part?

Hey guys,
I'm currently entering my first year of economics and maths at a semi- target university. I am interested in going into trading at an investment bank in the future and have been applying for Spring weeks. Although I'd take any trading job over no job, I am specifically more interested in the more complex derivatives as those desks are more quantitative and technical and are harder to price. Plus, it seems tha those are desks apthat will stay in the future and won't be as easily replaced by algos.

The problem is that I'm not really doing a STEM degree (it's half STEM and there are quite a lot of quantitative economics and maths modules though) and I'm at a semi target as well so I might be at a pretty large disadvantage. And since I don't get to choose what desk I'm on, is there a way to show that I'm better suited for complex derivatives desks? I'm very good at numerical stuff and I do have a good understanding of how some derivatives are priced.

If I manage to get a SW, is there anything I can do to get fast tracked into a more complex desk?

It's not a deathwish if you're not doing a STEM degree (idgi, you're doing Econ and Maths?? That should suffice anyway..) nor is it a hard prerequisite.

I would just say apply to stuff, and once you're on the trading floor try to spend time with the more complex desks if you can.

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Ok thanks. What would you say is the most complex out of the non-exotic desks? Like out of the vanilla stuff

Rates derivs

You prove won't get into exotics desks because of your degree (they prefer imperial and Oxbridge maths/engineering) but you can go into something quantitative like rates and then network with structured rates traders or exotics traders and try and get into it that way. That has happened a lot from what I've observed on LinkedIn.

Exotic trading desks, even at the big banks, don't even hire new people every single year. You'd need to get into any trading desk and network with exotic derivs traders and then if a position happens to open up they might consider you.