A trader buys and sells securities, which include currencies, stocks, bonds, and options, to make a profit. The worth of these securities is derived from the value of an underlying asset-and commodities (steel, stone, cocoa, coffee, sugar, etc.). Trader's are employed by hedge funds (partnerships that invest in stocks, futures, options, and currencies), the company, therefore, has to offset its foreign exchange exposure. A trader’s day starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m., and the work is creative as well as routine. You go through the same motions and your mind is set to work in the same way, but you have to be creative with ideas in order to make money. You need discipline, which is related to routine, and you must be able to make quick decisions, think fast on your feet, and be a risk-taker. Traders are disciplined and creative gamblers at heart. There's no way you can be calm in this job.

Sales and marketing is the flip-side of trading-a company needs a contact in a bank to call to make a price for the company in order to trade. This role is fulfilled by marketers or sales people, who are called constantly by clients for their ideas about trading.