Career Kickstarter Trading

Career Kickstarter: Trading is an exclusive five-day program at Optiver’s Amsterdam office, designed for final-year students who want a direct pathway into trading.

Over the course of one week, you’ll immerse yourself in a real-world trading environment, moving from options theory to practical skills that traders use every day.

Expect interactive lectures, live simulations, networking events, and personalised mentorship, that show you how to think—and act—like a trader.

This isn’t just a learning experience. It’s your chance to explore Optiver’s culture from the inside, sharpen your instincts, and see if our Graduate Trader role is the right fit for you. Is it the right match? Then you could walk away with a full-time offer.

What you’ll experience

Hands-on learning

• Explore options theory in interactive lectures that make complex concepts click.
• Learn how traders use data, reports, and proposals to build new strategies.
• Develop, test, and optimise your own trading algorithm.
• Sharpen your decision-making through trading games.

Networking and culture

• Learn from some of the best in the field: Receive mentorship from our renowned Trading Education Team and senior traders.
• Connect with industry professionals at exclusive networking events.
• Experience Optiver’s culture first-hand and enjoy perks like daily breakfast, lunch, coffee, and more.
• All-expenses-covered: travel and accommodation are on us, so you can focus fully on the experience.