IMC

Launchpad participants typically have a background in engineering, computer science, mathematics or other subjects with a strong quantitative element. They include Luke, a 2022 Mathematics and Computer Science graduate from the University of Sydney, who took the plunge back in 2021.

“I had heard how trading could be a great career option for people with my kind of skill set,” he says. “Those I spoke to talked about solving problems in a fast-paced environment. That was a big hook for me, and the IMC Launchpad was a chance to see whether it actually rang true.”

Getting real hands-on experience

Launchpad is about more than just watching and learning – it’s about giving students the chance to put the skills and theory they’ve learned at university into practice in a real-world environment.

Participants are immersed in the world of trading and engineering through a range of interactive classes. As well as programming tasks in Python and C++, they are also given a hands-on introduction to the world of market making through games and exercises.

For Luke, the highlight was getting to develop his own trading strategies during a group-based trading simulation exercise. “It was a lot of fun,” he says. “We competed in teams to build an algorithm to trade on a fictional, pizza-based market. We put our coding skills to the test and got a feel for what it’s like to work on a trading desk at arm’s length from the markets.”

As well as gaining new skills and insights, Launchpad participants are encouraged to engage with current IMC traders and engineers at lunches, social events and other networking sessions. Students are also assigned a buddy – someone on-hand to answer questions and offer support as needed.

“I met some great people during Launchpad,” says Luke. “My trainers were all current IMC professionals, but I also got talking to people on the Internship program and Graduate Traineeship during the networking sessions. Everyone happily made time to chat, and I got a sense of how passionate people at IMC are about the work they do.”

A natural stepping stone

In addition to offering a slice of life at the company, Launchpad is a way of spotting future IMC talent, and those who excel over the two days are fast-tracked to the final interview stage for the Internship program. Luke was among those who stood out, and after completing the interview process, he was invited to join the 2022/23 Summer Internship program.

“The Internship feels like a natural progression from Launchpad,” he explains. “But it’s a big step up: you’re introduced to topics in a lot more depth and you’re responsible for your own learning – both understanding what’s being taught and improving in areas where you’re less strong. It’s challenging but also a lot of fun!”

Interns take part in mock trading games and simulation exercises, as well as short, data-focused projects – a chance to get to grips with IMC’s trading algorithms and systems. Other activities include “Grad spotlight” sessions, where current trading and engineering graduates take turns talking about their work, followed by a short Q&A.

Sydney, Amsterdam and beyond

After completing his internship, Luke took another important step – this time onto the Graduate Traineeship. Having started his training in Sydney in February 2023, he’s since moved to IMC’s Amsterdam office, where he’ll complete the Traineeship in April.

As a veteran of all three phases of the process – Launchpad participant, Intern, and Graduate – Luke has some words of wisdom for others just starting out on their IMC journey: “If you’re curious about working in trading or financial technology, my advice is to start with Launchpad. Anyone who enjoys quantitative problem-solving is guaranteed to have a good time – and maybe pick up a few new skills. Make sure you have all your questions at the ready: Launchpad is your chance to lift the veil on IMC and trading and engineering in general, so don’t be afraid to ask!”

Ready to launch? Apply now.

Alexandra's IMC journey began back in November 2022, when she joined the IMC Internship program shortly after graduating from UQ with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Mathematics.

As the founding Vice-President of the University of Queensland Fintech Society, her interest in the world of finance and technology had already been sparked. But, as she explains, not all students are aware of the career opportunities that trading has to offer.

"I helped set up the UQ Fintech Society during my final year," Alexandra says. “As a maths and commerce student, I realised there was a huge demand in the finance sector for graduates with STEM skills. However, almost none of my maths peers had considered finance as an option after graduation. My goal was to bridge this gap for other STEM students."

To shed light on the industry, Alexandra helped organise a series of educational and networking events for curious students, many of whom have since taken their first steps into the world of finance.

The society also opened her own eyes in unexpected ways. "A career in trading was only vaguely on my radar when I started UQ Fintech – but through the process I met likeminded people and learned more about what companies like IMC do. As the society grew, I met another UQ student who'd interned at IMC. They encouraged me to apply – and the rest is history!"

A change of pace

After completing her internship in Sydney in February 2022, Alexandra was offered a place on IMC’s Global Traineeship starting later that month.

"The IMC Internship is modelled on the Global Traineeship," she explains. "So I knew what to expect in terms of the broader topics we'd be covering during my training. Having said that, the Global Traineeship is definitely a more intense and fast-paced experience.”

Alexandra’s first week was all about getting acquainted with the world of trading and financial markets from the ground up. Because prior financial experience isn’t required to take part in the Global Traineeship, this stage of the program sees graduate traders rub shoulders with their engineering counterparts.

Traders then split into their own separate sessions, covering everything from more detailed trading theory to IMC's individual trading strategies and systems. “The aim is to soak up as much as possible so that you can apply it in real life when you get to your desk," Alexandra says.

For Alexandra, an early highlight was taking part in the trading simulation exercises that are built into individual sessions. "They definitely bring out my competitive side,” she says. She also appreciated having regular fortnightly check-ins with her trainers.

Europe provides new insights

After four weeks in Sydney, Alexandra made the journey to IMC's Amsterdam office, where she and her fellow graduates received a very special welcome.

"Soon after arriving, we met several members of the executive team," says Alexandra. "They included IMC's CEO. Hearing about his experience setting up IMC and his vision for what's to come was really special. He even had some helpful advice for us new graduates."

Alexandra's first two weeks in Amsterdam were spent in the classroom, where the focus took on a new direction: "In Sydney, the focus was mainly on getting to grips with broader financial topics," Alexandra explains. "When I came to Amsterdam, the emphasis was very much on IMC and getting to know our trading systems and strategies."

The grads’ last week in Amsterdam was spent applying everything she'd learned to her final project: "This was the fun part. We worked in teams to code our own trading strategies. We then pitted our strategies against each other on the final day of the competition!”

When in Amsterdam …

When not training (or competing), Alexandra found time to soak up the IMC culture.

"The layout of the Amsterdam office is centred around the trading floor, so you always feel close to the action,” she explains. “You can feel the atmosphere every time you walk into the office."

Naturally, getting the full IMC Amsterdam experience meant Friday night drinks in the office Skybar – a chance to network and hear about people's day-to-day experiences. Meanwhile, Alexandra wasted no time in embracing the famous Amsterdam lifestyle. "I loved riding my bike to work every morning – it felt very Dutch! And there was always something to do in the evenings and on weekends: I loved exploring the amazing museums, restaurants and shops with the other graduates."

Interested in becoming an IMC intern or graduate? Apply now.