I love the pulse and complexity of the trading floor

Jing Yuan, who shifted careers from programming to trading, has learned over her 15 years at SEB that the market never stops surprising. Here, she shares what makes the role of a trader so exciting and why there's always something new to learn. 

Jing has a background in computer science, but during her studies, she developed an interest not only in tech but also in financial markets. She joined SEB in 2010, initially working in programming. However, her growing interest in finance soon led her to pursue a role in trading instead. 

What’s the best part about working as a trader? 

– The best part is working with the market. I love the pulse of the trading floor and the complexity of the financial markets. You never know what the market will look like when you arrive at work in the morning. That’s the biggest challenge, but it’s also where the opportunities lie – and the real charm of the job. 

– The atmosphere on the trading floor is also fantastic. We are a group of highly driven and skilled individuals who are truly passionate about the financial market, and we collaborate well within the team and across the entire floor, which makes the work environment so inspiring. 

What’s your advice for someone curious about a job in trading? 

– SEB is a large company, and with that comes the advantage of many opportunities opening up. For example, I expressed my interest in working abroad and was given the opportunity to move to Copenhagen for a couple of years to work as a derivatives trader, which was a fantastic and educational experience. For those who are curious, there are plenty of opportunities to explore. 

– The finance industry, and trading in particular, has historically been male-dominated, and there are still many preconceived notions that one must fit a certain stereotype to work in trading. Today, we have a great mix of backgrounds and experiences within the team, and it is absolutely possible to combine work and family – something both my colleagues and I truly value. If you are interested in the markets, you should not hesitate to pursue a career in trading. 

What are you looking forward to in the future at SEB? 

– Even though I’ve worked at the bank for a long time, I still find the market incredibly interesting, and this is where I want to be. I also have a personal interest in tech and AI, and there’s so much happening in that space right now. It will be exciting to follow that development and see how technology will reshape financial markets in the future.