How to become an equities trader?

I've been thinking about a career as an equities trader after high school. Can anyone share the steps I would need to take to get involved in equities trading, especially right after graduation?

To embark on a career as an equities trader, you'll need to follow crucial educational, experiential, and certification steps. Here's a simplified roadmap you could consider:

1. Bachelor's Degree: Most financial firms require a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Although there's no specific mandatory major for equities traders, relevant fields include business, economics, finance, statistics, or mathematics. These disciplines offer the mathematical and analytical foundations you'll need for a trading career.

2. Obtain Relevant Experience: While still in college, seek internships at investment banks, financial institutions, or brokerage firms. Internships offer valuable experience and can often lead to full-time job offers. Participation in investment clubs or teams, and management of a personal investment portfolio may also be beneficial.

3. Start as an Analyst: Most equities traders begin their career as an analyst or associate in investment banks or financial firms. Junior traders often start by supporting senior traders before moving to make trades.

4. Financial Licensing: Becoming a trader will require obtaining specific licenses. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licenses include the Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (GSRE) – which permits the license holder to sell almost all types of securities – and the Series 63 - Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam. Keep in mind the requirements can vary depending on where you're working and what you're trading.

5. Professional Development: Consider pursuing an advanced degree, like an MBA, or additional certifications, like Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). These further bolster your knowledge base and make you more attractive to potential employers.

6. Career Advancement: With time and increased success in trading, you may progress to a role as a senior equities trader, or even to a fund manager or other executive role within a financial institution.

Keep in mind this is a high-stress field. Successful traders often have strong analytical skills, are extremely decisive, and are comfortable taking risks. Looking at trends in markets and staying updated on financial news is also pivotal. If this fits your profile, equities trading could be a rewarding and exciting career path for you.