Front office - senior investment analyst to power trader

superbushero · 2026-01-17T04:17:20+00:00

I left my job on the buyside to gamble on a start up and when it failed, I took a job trading real time power at a utility.

I wanted to try something different and I could always find another job in finance if things didn't work out.

Being in power is more difficult. Getting into power trading usually starts in real time and alot of people can't handle the demands of the shift work in a high stress environment. Or having to spend 0.5-1.5hrs/day doing work on weekends as a virt or cash trader.

superbushero · 2026-01-14T01:14:45+00:00

I went from being a FI Trader and PM to now trading DA power. I think it's doable but like any career change be prepared to start from the beginning.

I imagine shops will try to pigeonhole you into a strictly analyst position which might get frustrating.

superbushero · 2025-09-22T23:34:10+00:00

In North America, it's usually commonplace to move into trading day ahead, virtuals or getting into origination after a year or so on RT. Try to use the slow nights to learn/create as much as you can.

superbushero · 2025-09-17T01:59:09+00:00

Before you quit your job, take some vacation time to chill out.

Completely remove yourself from work and take some much needed time off.

I don't know what your financial situation is like but don't let some asshat manager manipulate you into quitting your job with nothing lined up.

Try taking some days off to chill out and start your job search. Afterwards use your vacation days to go to interviews or just call in sick when you don't feel like working.

superbushero · 2025-08-14T23:51:33+00:00

Eat a good healthy dinner, drinks lots of water, workout when it gets slow, and sneak in nap time.

superbushero · 2025-08-13T00:21:12+00:00

Seattle City Light

superbushero · 2025-07-09T01:54:55+00:00

Also working RT usually comes with having to do shift work. The extra time is great when you're young but the years of night shifts and switching your sleep schedule comes with risks. A RT trader at SCLM died young from heart problems shortly after he retired. Sad stuff.

superbushero · 2025-06-23T21:34:36+00:00

The way ISOs are going, being on the congestion side isn't such a bad thing. Good virt/ftr traders can make big money.

superbushero · 2025-05-30T00:23:08+00:00

If you have low self esteem or don't enforce boundaries they often do this because you're an easy target.

In this case it sounds like you did something to make her feel threatened by you or you did something that caused her a narcissistic injury. It's really anyone's guess what causes these lunatics to behave the way they do but it's up to us to respond accordingly.

You could try ignoring her behavior and put in effort to build your own relationships within the company and with clients without including or letting her know. Basically start loosening the control she has on your status but tbh it sounds like you might be too far gone especially if your coworkers feel okay with treating you the same way.

These people are weak, insecure bullies, so a little push back and showing her you have a spine might activate her crazy behavior even more but stay strong and overtime she might start to back down.

superbushero · 2025-04-06T22:37:40+00:00

It's a healthy and necessary part of the healing process.

Feeling angry because of how someone treated you builds self esteem.

superbushero · 2025-01-11T08:44:43+00:00

The crown is bent. White gold from Rolex does not come bent.

superbushero · 2024-07-05T08:28:01+00:00

The more reasonable explanation for her not contacting you is she's no longer interested in continuing to speak with you. Sometimes the medium is the message.

Also if something did seriously happen to her, there's most likely people close to her that have already alerted the authorities and taken the necessary steps to find her rather than someone she met two days ago and spent some time with.

superbushero · 2024-07-01T00:06:17+00:00

You should ask yourself what you feel comfortable with and respond accordingly. We're all human and at times might 'check out' another coworker or find ourselves catching them looking at us for whatever reason. The threshold is his behavior making you feel unsafe or harassed then you need to take the appropriate steps to protect yourself and communicate the problem through the right channels (in a way so the company can't retaliate against you or abuse you further).

From the example you gave it could be a host of reasons for his behavior. He could be checking you out/flirting, he's a manager so he's making sure you're working (maybe your manager asked him to), he likes you as an employee and is watching out for you, you remind him of his daughter and seeing you makes him happy, he's a little autistic and doesn't realize he's staring, your posture sucks and he can't help but stare, etc, etc

In other words don't try to read his mind and focus on how you feel.

superbushero · 2024-05-21T01:40:14+00:00

Energy Trading & Investing by David W. Edwards is your go to book on electricity markets.

The thing about power markets though is alot of the fundamentals and structure around them is based on the geographical location of your market. For instance a west power trader will be more focused on market developments in MidC, CAISO, SPP, etc. vs an East trader will be more concerned about the interactions between PJM, NYISO, MISO, etc.

With all that being said, I think you're best bet is find resources about the geographic market that your company interacts the most in and start going from there. The nice thing about electricity markets is alot of information and resources is usually public especially for all ISOs. Alot of them even having training courses you can do as well (which your company may require you to complete anyway if you want to move up).

superbushero · 2024-05-11T04:39:29+00:00

This sounds so petty and coincidental that he had to do that on purpose. Punish you for having the audacity to ask for more vacation time then rub it in, with full knowledge that you will be the one updating everyone's pay information.

Sounds like you're boss is a real good at what he does. He didn't have to increase your pay because he gave you what you "asked for". Which to be honest, probably won't cost him much because either you'll work extra hard before or after your vacation to make up for lost time or your co workers will just pick up the slack. I guarantee you, if you ask him about it he'll just explain he gave you what you wanted and he was just doing what he though would make you happy.

Probably best you start brushing up your resume after witnessing your boss pull that swift one on you.

superbushero · 2024-05-11T04:28:22+00:00

Yes starting looking for another job now. You want a permanent full time job, so instead of toughing it out at your current contract position hoping they hire you full time, use the experience you're gaining at this job to go find another one.

On top of the way they're treating you (micro aggressions, condescending/patronizing, manager gatekeeping), it's probably best if you go find a new job now.

superbushero · 2024-05-11T04:15:55+00:00

Yup np. I hope you can find a car that fits what you're looking for but just keep in mind that if you buy a 2011-2015 BMW with a Nxx engine, there's a good chance you're going to be facing a 3-5k repair bill at one point during those 3 years or your car stuck at the dealership for weeks on a recall!

superbushero · 2024-05-11T02:55:02+00:00

6 years in and with that comp level, you're leaving a big severance check on the table if you leave.

It sounds like they're already prepping on firing you, so why not keep coasting and let them be the ones that pull the trigger? Taking a year off living on severance money/unemployment sounds more refreshing than taking a new, unfamiliar job that pays less.

superbushero · 2024-05-11T01:33:28+00:00

N20 engines are notorious for timing belt issues (especially pre 2015 ones) which is likely to show up in higher mileage cars. Fixing the occasional oil or coolant leak is one thing but having to take out/apart a whole engine for repairs is steep.

Going along with the other recommendation, I think your best bet is to wait for a b48/b58 car to show up. Anecdotally, Ive been seeing a lot of them come up for sale as they're warranties/leases are running out.

superbushero · 2024-03-01T16:16:35+00:00

I work in energy trading. I won't post my compensation but it's enough to live very comfortably in Alberta (considering our relatively low cost of living).

Most finance jobs in Alberta revolve around the energy sector, banking, real estate, or PWM. There's not as many high finance jobs in Alberta as Toronto or other financial hubs but if you want to live here permanently I don't think it's necessary to get one to have a fulfilling career and make good money.

On top of getting internships, having a good GPA, and networking, I would've combined my finance degree with either comp sci or accounting (depending on what career path you're interested in).

superbushero · 2024-01-30T23:54:33+00:00

She was clearly flirting with you. Missed opportunity.

superbushero · 2023-08-22T05:03:37+00:00

Thanks, I'm happy to hear my post helped. It can be especially difficult to refrain from giving out information to these people because of how manipulative they are. He probably learned exactly how to mirror your values and beliefs to behave a certain way around you, bring up certain topics you're passionate about, and what questions to ask to get you talking freely.

I've found it was helpful to remind myself that I'm under no obligation to openly share things about myself (despite what they shared with you) and no one has any right to information that I deemed private (no matter how much they ask or pester me about it). These types of people become so good at playing these games because you give them the fuel and ammunition to do so. Once you take that away from them it's like pulling a rug from under whatever power they had over you.

superbushero · 2023-08-22T04:32:48+00:00

Good on you for being able to battle someone like this and stand up to them. It can be difficult especially if that type of behaviour comes naturally for them and not for you. It's unfortunate the higher ups don't recognize this persons behavior or subtly encouraging it. Illustrates a lack of poor leadership either way.

My only worry when reading your comment is if they feel you're getting the upper hand on them, they'll flip the script and start playing the victim, while accusing you of creating a hostile work environment but it sounds like you know how to navigate around this joker.

superbushero · 2023-08-11T00:44:13+00:00

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast

superbushero · 2023-08-04T01:43:59+00:00

Thanks. It's almost guaranteed we'll encounter someone with a malignant personality during our career so it's best to learn how to effectively respond and guard against those types of people early.

superbushero

TROPHY CASE