job advice in finance for a btech student

hello everybody,
i am student of btech 4th yr and i will be completing my grad this june.
i want to build a strong profile in finance...m jus 20 yrs old(will turn 21 dis may)....i want some advice as to how i should start...presently n studying for ncfm exams-
1)Capital Market (dealers) module
2)Derivatives Market module
3)Currency Derivatives module
i am really interested in currency trading job.
i just dont know how and where to apply for it and what to expect......
my plans r of givin CFA-level1 next yr.....
please i need some decent advice as where to look for d job....what package should i expect and all....
Abhijeet Karki

Hi Abhijeet,

Let me give my two cents here. I also was in the same boat in 2008 like you are today. I did my BE and then went abroad to do my MS Finance.

Finding a job in finance especially at MNCs would be difficult especially once you're out of college. While doing the NCFM courses can help you out, you need to develop your financial knowledge (which unfortunately your BTech course cannot help you with) as much as possible. Clearing one or perhaps two levels of the CFA (from CFA Institute) can aid you too, although this is no cakewalk compared to the NCFM ones.

So once you're done with your BTech degree (or even in the final months of your course), you should start hunting for associate level jobs in trading in domestic brokerage/securities companies, and then build on your experience from there.

Another option to unlock that campus opportunity for you is to go in for a Masters course in Finance or allied fields or an MBA Finance.

Regarding packages, you shouldn't expect a high entry level package, unless you are completely extraordinary, or if you have plenty of work experience before, or if you are just plain lucky. Finance jobs are based on performance and so the rise in salary is gradual, unlike Tech jobs which have a high starting pay, but the curve tends to ease off later.

Good luck!