Commodity Trading Intern Review

Interned on the Short-Term Power Trading Desk
Worked on two primary projects; one analytical (trade strategy idea and backtesting) and one technical (updated processes from VBA to Python).
In addition, there were also Lunch and Learns as well as a Presentation workshop which provided opportunities for more well-rounded development.

Yes, given the nature of the desk I was on, the Traders usually have to be monitoring the market and so cannot always immediately help. This meant both of my projects were fairly autonomous and required perseverance and initiative.

Greatly improved my programming skills (both Python and VBA). Feel significantly more confident in presenting, as there is a presentation on all the work that you have done given to the Exec Committee (CEO,CFO etc.) at the end of the internship. Just through being sat on the same desk as experienced traders, you develop your understanding of Trading terminology, strategy and mentality.

I would have regular meetings and coffees with my manager to keep him updated on my progress, ask him questions related to my project and also to discuss and develop my knowledge of the wider energy market.

Intelligent, friendly and welcoming. Again, the nature of being on a trading desk meant that there was not as much opportunity to go for e.g., lunch together as there needs to be someone monitoring the market . More generally, there were not (to my knowledge) really any regular socials/drinks whilst I was there, although the graduate cohort is pretty small compared to e.g., PWC taking 100s/year, so perhaps understandable.

I had a great time, got to work on meaningful projects, was under the guidance of a hugely talented and experienced manager/team and it has reaffirmed my desire to work in a trading environment in the future.

Yes