| Category | Rating |
|---|
| Pay | 0 |
| Respect | 5 |
| Benefits | 0 |
| Job Security | 5 |
| Work/Life Balance | 5 |
| Career Potential/Growth | 5 |
| Location | 5 |
| Co-worker Competence | 3 |
| Work Environment | 5 |
With no previous experience as a trader I began my training at Integra five months ago. I was a bit hesitant about paying for the training, unsure whether there was a potential to become a trader who makes money. I heard of the day- traders who believe the promotions that state they can learn quickly to trade, open an account and make thousands monthly . Usually, they lose all their money after having a few small profits that keep them trading and risking their money as the trading platform makes its commissions.
I knew that If I wanted a new career as a trader I would need to be taught and mentored, probably at an investment firm or bank. I did not realise that training is available to those who cannot gain entry to the training programs at the major investment banks. I have worked in a business consulting think-tank, as a lawyer and a partner in a private equity firm. I know the industry and its realities. I have many friends and relatives who work on Wall Street as bond, equity, commodity and currency traders and many as investment bankers. Many spent their entire lives in this industry. I was told about Integra and the head trader and teacher Richard Scalone. I researched him. My contacts told me that the opportunity to learn from him is rare and extraordinary.
After meeting Rich Scalone I made up my mind immediately to make the commitment. I don't regret it, in any way. I found him honest, enthusiastic and genuine. My impression was that he was typical of the hardworking self-made "what you see is what you get" New Yorkers all over Wall Street that built careers by hard work. I was told that I might not make any money for months. I was told that it would be a lot of work and concentration but I would be tutored, mentored and supported for as long as I continued to apply myself and worked hard to build a career.
After the week-long course I was given a place at a trading desk and a demonstration account looking at trading screens for the first time in my life. I sat alongside other recent students with about 6 months of experience. All were enthusiastic, hard workers and a lot of fun to be around, joking about their bad trades, sharing their good ones. I was amazed that all day long Rich had a semi-circle of students constantly interrupting his trading to ask questions or to suggest trades and getting a full explanation from Rich of the potential of each trade. For the first time in many years I jump out of bed at 6am to get here. It is a great environment. A lot of hard work and concentration but I love it.
I had the demo account and now a live account on my home PC and trade the Asian and London markets at night. Then and now, if I have a question I can call Rich at night, any time. Traders wake him, often at 2am to alert him to a great trade. Text messages are exchanged with him and other traders, all night long.
My account is positive, the most I have lost, since beginning is less than $200. Another student who took the class 2 months ago recently told me that profits are " a few hundred a day". The reason for this was: " I follow Rich's rules, it works"
Students who were here, and failed, did so because they did not follow those rules, did not put on trades, did not work hard and concentrate. But they were not told to leave. Every effort is made to help them succeed, but there has to be a limit to how much time effort and money is spent on someone who fails at following both trading rules, reccomendations and advice. The opportunity to make a six or seven figure income is here for those who are willing to apply themselves. The adage " you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" applies here.
If you look at trader help sites and blogs they will tell you what to expect from trading firms who train and support traders. Every requirement listed you will find here. I know the industry. I did the research. I invested in Rich. I am here. I am staying.