Andrew Goodall
Currency Forwards
Australia

Each morning I receive a run-through from New York of all the closing prices. I then work them out over a new day run and update our screens for the day. As well as speaking to my own clients I back up several other lines on the desk. Other roles I carry out include; inputting trades, managing some of the voice links to New Zealand, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, London and New York (depending on the time of day), as well as the Reuters Dealer, updating screens for Datatec/Ifwds, confirming trades, sending out closes/revals to clients and then giving London a run through of price action and where we are seeing the curves at the end of the day.

Broking gives the chance to meet and deal with a wide range of people as well to apply certain aspects of my degree in an environment that isn't stifling or boring. ICAP is the biggest and best interdealer broker with dealing floors throughout the world in a wide variety of markets so when the opportunity came up to work there I jumped on it.

For a few months I was hearing almost on a daily basis that this was the craziest the financial markets had been for over a decade. It's been great to observe and be a part of the extraordinary times. The volatility in the market has meant I have been kept busy from day one, making my learning curve extremely steep but it has also been really beneficial experiencing "once in a lifetime" market conditions. By being thrown in the deep end I had no choice but to sink or swim. I'd like to think I'm at least paddling!

My first few weeks at ICAP were in London on the graduate training course which gave me a broad grounding in some of the markets ICAP is involved in globally and where exactly we fit into the mix. Back in Sydney I also went on the Young Dealers course which is held bi-annually and many of the local banks send their young dealers along. While you learn about the local markets its also a good opportunity to network with the banks.

On the desk there is a tight-knit group all willing to take the time to help you. Their help has been invaluable; with their individual take on the market, intricacies of the product, approaching customers, dealing with customers and building relationships.

One of the biggest challenges for me has been able to quickly adapt from periods of "down-time" to periods of high intensity and not make mistakes or have lapses in concentration. Also learning how to adjust your approach to deal with different clients in different situations; learning there is no one way to broke.

It is a relationship game where being smart can only take you so far. You have got to be a quick learning and chameleon-like, being able to adapt to an ever-changing environment. Having said that, it can be a lot of fun with great opportunities to experience a wide range of markets.