Does anyone work in the 'city' as a banker/trader/whatever?

[Beansprout]

Few recently-graduated friends seem to be heading City-way, know a few friends of friends / family in the City / all that sorta stuff...long hours, lots of drinking, lots of stress, lots of money.

I suspect most then burnout and do something else after a few years with the little cash left over from the ridiculous nights out and car/wine purchases....

What I don't understand though is the demonisation of them all. They make huge amounts of money for the taxpayer and the mostly state-owned banks, so get rewarded accordingly (and then taxed on the bonuses again with the amazing bonus tax )

 

[Stretch]

This is a hugely high flying world where only the very best make it.

By needing to ask us how, you've already failed the first test. But don't be ashamed, most of us wouldnt make it either.

I think you have a very glamorized view of what more “city boys” are like.

 

[Fusion]

Suggest you read "CityBoy: Beer & Loathing in the square mile" if you want a first hand, recent account of entering into what you see as an elitist club....half of them don't even know anymore than you about trading.

Isn't this a set of largely fictitious tales? I was going to read it until I read some reviews that stated the author had made a load of it up.

 

[Chris1712]

Just carry on in your chosen career and be clever with spread betting on the side, sorted.

 

[Hatter The Mad]

Isn't this a set of largely fictitious tales? I was going to read it until I read some reviews that stated the author had made a load of it up.

It is

 

[PapaLazaru]

I have a friend who is a trader. Used to work in the City, then Canary Wharf and he now works in Geneva. Clears about £7k per month and works on the Asian markets so works really odd hours. He is a really nice chap, quite down to earth but is an Essex geezer at heart. Got a riverside flat in Woolwich which he owns outright. Must be 37 now.

He fell into it by accident and has no degree. He got a job in back office in Auckland as he used to be married to a Kiwi. He got lucky and spotted a few mistakes which the traders had made and got offered a job as a trainee trader. he has just moved around a few companies and kept his core client base which is very important.

He really likes his job and earns a fair amount, but is not one of the real high rollers.

 

[Hatter The Mad]

is a really nice chap, quite down to earth

He really likes his job and earns a fair amount, but is not one of the real high rollers.

Such are the majority of people working in corporate and investment banking, not that the media would have you believe...