▶ Full Post Text
Hi all,
I’m a guy in my mid-20s and trying to decide whether to pivot fully into tech or stay in commodities / finance. I’d really appreciate some outside perspective, especially from people who’ve seen both sides.
# Background
* Undergrad + Master’s in **Computer Science** from a top-10 global university
* GPA: \~3.8+/4.0
* I can relocate if needed.
* \~2 YOE in **energy middle office (market risk)** at a large multinational (major / merchant / utility type firm)
* Internships in:
* Energy commodities (analytics, market risk)
* Software engineering (fintech + tech companies)
I did my Master’s largely to re-roll for graduate programs / trading development programs after seeing the upside and P&L potential in commodities trading. I made it to final rounds / superdays at several top commodity firms/majors but didn’t convert.
I also attempted to pivot into trading analyst roles and received fairly blunt feedback (notably from Trafigura) that I come across as too technical and antisocial, and that most trading floors are extremely social environments.
Compensation-wise, I’m paid reasonably well for my experience—roughly in line with middle-office peers at firms like Glencore or Trafigura.
# Current situation
* I have an offer for a **Software Engineer** role at a fairly large tech firm, with **salary matched** to my current role.
* My current role feels… fine, but largely uninteresting.
* Manager feedback has been consistently below average, with comments like:
* “Be more enthusiastic”
* “Ask more questions”
* “Communicate more”
* I tend to be very deadpan in person, which likely doesn’t help.
# Self-reflection (trying to be honest)
* I originally chose commodities primarily for the **money and front-office upside**. Secondary reason would be prestige.
* I’ve realized I don’t actually care about markets unless I have **direct personal exposure**. If I’m not personally exposed, I struggle to stay engaged. By contrast, I’m far more engaged with assets I personally own since they directly affect my wealth.
* I suspect I may be on the autism spectrum (never formally diagnosed, for family reasons). I’ve always been socially awkward and very task-focused.
* I was bullied growing up, ended up with very few close friends(mostly other nerdy kids), and I’m generally introverted. I had fairly wealthy parents(they were surgeons, now retired) and they wanted me to be home most of the day so i would not get bad habits like drugs/alcohol/smoking etc from other kids, they let me play video games all day as I could still get straight As while doing that during my formal education.
* In university, I was happiest **building software**, playing video games, and spending time with a small circle.
* As a SWE intern, I genuinely enjoyed building and shipping features—especially because the product felt tangible and interesting. I can also see myself starting a small tech business in the future.
* I’ve previously co-built and sold a software product with a college friend for a **mid-six-figure USD exit** (50/50 split).
* I dislike uncertainty—especially the uncertainty around ever landing a trading seat. Tech feels more predictable in terms of progression and outcomes.
# My dilemma
At this point, it feels like:
* **Front-office commodities trading** is probably not realistic long-term for me given:
* the social requirements,
* my lack of intrinsic interest in markets unless my own money is at stake.
* **Middle office** feels stagnant and unmotivating.
* **Software engineering** seems much more aligned with how I naturally think and work—but:
* I worry about giving up the front-office upside,
* I worry about “wasting” the commodities path I’ve already invested time in.
# Questions
1. Am I rationally better off pivoting to SWE now rather than staying in middle office hoping for a front-office breakthrough?
2. Has anyone here made a similar switch (commodities → SWE)? Any regrets or positive surprises?
3. For someone introverted and possibly neurodivergent, is tech generally a better long-term fit?
I’d really appreciate honest perspectives, especially from people who’ve worked across trading, risk, and tech. Thanks in advance.