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Career Journey
Name: Mikko
Title: Junior Trader, Oil Trading
Time at Shell: Four years
Degree: M.Sc. in Finance
Location: London
“I originally joined Shell’s Graduate Programme because I was attracted to the energy sector.
Trading is a great place to build commercial skills and you learn to respect the knowledge and experience of your colleagues. Our culture isn’t based on individuals; we’re very focused on acting as a team. One of the most important challenges we face is understanding exactly the factors driving the market and how the supply and demand are influenced. The decisions we make have a direct and quantitative impact on the company. I can see what I’ve accomplished and the influence I have very clearly as your performance is very transparent.
Trading is a job for people who like to get their hands dirty - you can’t just sit on the side-lines. From the start, I’ve had a lot of responsibility and I’ve always felt my team was ready to listen to my ideas. The setting we work in is very dynamic, and it’s important to be comfortable with managing risk and, sometimes, stress. There’s no text book to follow so a communication, negotiation and people skills make a big difference.
Shell Trading gives you the global perspective on the market and our clients do respect the value of the brand. It’s good to work with smart people as part of a big company. In the future, I might want to take on a management role but remain in a very commercial environment where I can use the skills I have now.”
Shell International Trading and Shipping Co.Ltd. is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.