"In the driver’s seat of your career"

What first sparked your interest in trading as a career?

I pursued a dual degree at the IIT (BHU) Varanasi, with a major in math and a minor in computer science. Given my educational background, trading was a natural choice as it brings together analytical and programming skills. It also suits my personality, as I’m naturally entrepreneurial and proactive. For example, during the pandemic all the colleges were closed but the markets were open. I made a bit of money (lost even more!) but it was a great challenge and it attracted me to the industry.

What led you to consider a career with IMC?

When I began to research the industry online, IMC naturally popped up as a top trading firm. I wasn’t aware of the Mumbai office until a friend and mentor of mine joined the office. He spoke highly of the culture and I decided to apply. I’ve only been with IMC a few months, but already its culture really stands out among competitors. Obviously, you’re expected to work hard, but IMC has your back every step of the way. It’s a great company for young, ambitious grads because they trust you to own your projects and give you lots of responsibility right from the start.

You relocated from Delhi to Mumbai for the role. What’s that been like?

There’s a constant tussle between which city is better, Delhi or Mumbai, and honestly I don’t think there’s a right answer! Both are great in different ways. I grew up in Delhi so it will always have a place in my heart, but I do really like it here in Mumbai. It’s been a really easy transition, as IMC helped a lot with the relocation.

How did it feel to be one of the first graduates from IMC’s Mumbai office to take part in the IMC Global Traineeship?

IMC is very excited about the Mumbai office and has big plans for it. There were four of us from the Mumbai office on the Traineeship, so I felt a real sense of pride representing both an office and a country. And I was really excited by the opportunities presented by the program. Not a lot of companies provide their new joiners with an immediate opportunity to travel, make a lot of friends, and experience a different culture all in the first month.

What did you learn while taking part in the Global Traineeship in Sydney?

IMC doesn’t expect you to have any trading knowledge before you join, but you need to be good at solving problems. During the Global Traineeship, they take you through the basics of trading and then deep dive into the specific way that IMC trades. There’s also a big focus on the IMC culture and way of doing things. It’s challenging, but very collaborative. You work hard with your friends and you’re able to achieve real results. That feels amazing!

What was the most challenging part of the Traineeship and how did you approach it?

In week five, we did work that was very similar to what we’d do in our day-to-day roles as traders. This involved setting up our system, getting acquainted with it, and familiarising ourselves with the speed of the trades. I found that challenging, but the trainers were really helpful. I stayed back for a couple of extra hours to improve on the set-up of my system and eventually cracked it. IMC understands that everybody has their strengths and everyone is encouraged to ask for help when they need it.

What was your personal highlight of the Traineeship?

A few weeks in, we were invited to a roundtable dinner with IMC’s senior leaders. It was an opportunity to talk with the people who made IMC what it is today. Their experiences – both personal and professional – were very insightful. On a personal note, I also got to skydive, which for an adrenaline junkie like me, was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

What’s a valuable lesson you’ve learned from the Traineeship that you’ll take with you as you begin your career with IMC?

There was a great analogy that being a trader is like being a Formula One driver. Yes, you’re in the driver’s seat and ultimately it’s down to you to win the race, but you have an entire team supporting you, ensuring your machine is working at its absolute optimum. That was a great lesson in teamwork. As a trader, you should be as efficient as possible, but when you work in sync with a team, you can reach the collective goal a lot faster.

What kind of social activities did you take part in during the Traineeship?

In our first week in Sydney IMC took us to an AFL game. By the end, we were all cheering for Sydney. In the second week, we played mini-golf, followed by karaoke. We were belting out John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ and all had pretty hoarse voices the next day.

Now back in Mumbai, what does your day-to-day look like?

I’m currently undertaking the local training part of the Traineeship. After that I’ll be assigned a desk based on the best match for my interests and skills. Across every desk, I’ve observed the partnership between the tech and trading teams is really strong. I can go to a developer and ask them to help with whatever problem I have and they do the same. It’s also just a great atmosphere in the office, with so many brilliant people coming here either as transfers or as visitors. While it’s a small team, everyone is working towards a common goal and it’s exciting to be part of that.

Where do you hope to be in two or three years’ time in your career?

IMC Mumbai is a young office so there’s an opportunity to create an impact and to lead. Eventually I’d love to be a part of that. But, for now, I’m just focused on being the best trader I can be.

Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about applying to IMC as a trading graduate?

The number-one thing IMC is looking for is your ability to understand and analyse the fundamentals. So don’t overcomplicate things. In a nutshell: Think smart, work hard!

Have you got what it takes to join our Mumbai office?