Not only is she black, she is also the youngest and only full-time female equity trader at the New York Stock Exchange. Did someone say Black Excellence? Go Lauren Simmons!
Lauren told CNBC, “When I tell people what my job is they are always surprised.” Further speaking about her history-making position for Rosenblatt Securities, she says, “It’s surreal.”
According to ESSENCE, Simmons graduated from Kennesaw State University in December 2016, with a Bachelor’s degree in genetics and a minor in statistics. She initially planned to pursue a career in the medical field, but landed on Wall Street after recalling how much she loved working with numbers in high school.
“The one thing that I love about numbers and statistics, and kind of one of the reasons I came to the New York Stock Exchange, is because numbers are a universal language, when you put them on a board it connects everyone, which is probably one of the reasons why the New York Stock Exchange is so iconic.”
However, becoming a trader at the NYSE didn’t happen overnight. She had to sit for an exam one month after joining the team. The exam, known as the Series 19, tests one’s knowledge of financial concepts and principles. All floor brokers have to take the test and roughly, 20% are unable to pass it. But, to everyone’s surprise, she passed.
“I had a month to take the exam and they did not think I was going to pass the exam. When I passed, everyone was so shocked and they were like oh, she’s intelligent.”
Being the sole woman on the floor has its everyday challenges, though.
“When I first got here, I was a little mousey because I was a part of the men’s [their] world. But then I know I was hired because i was qualified, so I have to not listen to the self doubt, I don’t have to be a man, I just need to be myself and let them know that I’m here and I have a voice and you’re going to listen to me”.
Even down to the uniforms, the signature jackets worn by traders only come in men’s sizes, and the women’s restroom is further away than the men’s restroom. But believe it or not, the NYSE is ringing the closing bell on old ways as positive change is on the horizon.
The tradition of having only men on the floor was described in the video as a 175 year-old tradition.
Between Simmons’ own story and the recent news that the NYSE just named Stacey Cunningham as their first-ever woman president, she hopes these milestones will be encouraging to other women.
As a last piece of advice, Simmons says:
Be uncomfortable and go after what you want, apply for the job — you have no idea what lies behind the door. And if you don’t get the job, it’s okay. Apply for the next job and move forward. Don’t let that be a stop in your career, your life or whatever you want to do. I think it’s important to just keep going.”
We’re thankful for milestones such as this which serve as encouragement and an inspiration for those of us who look to equally blaze new trails in our careers. Finally, women of colour across the board are earning a seat at the table.
This 23-year-old is both the youngest and the only full-time female equity trader at the New York Stock Exchange. https://t.co/ckKHOqT6JG pic.twitter.com/ATkxviC9Fj
— CNBC (@CNBC) June 19, 2018
Photo Credit: CNBC
