Career Kickstarter: Tech, Trading
Date: May 11, 2026 - May 15, 2026
Location: Amsterdam
Applications are open
Tech track: May 11–15, 2026 - applications open
Trading track: June 1–5, 2026 - applications open
Five days to unlock what’s next
Career Kickstarter is a five-day, immersive program designed for students who want to experience life at one of the world’s leading trading firms. Across two specialised tracks (Trading or Tech), you’ll learn from Optiver’s traders, engineers and educators through workshops, simulations, technical sessions and collaborative projects.
If you’re curious about the work and impact you could make here, this program gives you the clarity that only real experience can provide. A week at Optiver could fast-track you toward a full-time graduate offer.
Each track runs separately, with its own application timeline and eligibility criteria.
What to expect
- A five-day, all-expenses-paid introduction to work at Optiver, through your chosen track
- Learn by doing through interactive lectures, practical workshops and hands-on challenges
- Meet talented peers from top European universities
- Experience life in Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most dynamic tech & trading hubs
Our education team designs the week to be demanding, engaging, and deeply rewarding: a realistic preview of an industry where learning never stops.
Tech track
✓ Open for applications
Dates: 11–15 May, 2026
Best for: CS or equivalent students passionate about software engineering, systems design, and high-performance technology.
What you’ll do:
- Work on a hands-on software engineering project
- Learn from Optiver educators how real systems support real trading decisions
- Participate in system design & engineering teamwork
- Gain exposure to topics like performance, concurrency & reliability
- Attend tech panels and lectures with senior Optiver engineers
- Get a taste of how engineering, trading and research collaborate across the firm
Where this track can take you:
Get a realistic preview of engineering at scale in a trading environment, gaining valuable context on whether this industry and its technical challenges are right for you. Exceptional participants may fast-track to a Graduate Software Engineer (2026 or 2027 start).
Who can apply?
You can apply if you:
- Are studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering or a related field
- Are graduating May 2024 – August 2027
- Are based in Europe/UK
- Are able to attend all five days of the program in Amsterdam
No prior finance experience required.
Trading Track
✓ Open for applications
Dates: 1–5 June, 2026
Best for: STEM students who love problem-solving, probability, fast thinking and competitive environments.
What you’ll do:
- Get a foundational introduction to market making
- Learn key principles of market making & pricing from our Trading Education team
- Participate in trading games & simulations
- Work through real-time decision-making exercises
- Experience how traders read signals, process information and make high-speed decisions on the trading floor
- Understand how data, logic, and intuition combine to drive markets
Where this track can take you:
This track mirrors the structure of our Trading Internship. Ideal for curious and analytical thinkers who enjoy solving complex problems. Top performers may receive a full-time Graduate Trader offer.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you:
- Are studying a BSc or MSc in a STEM degree such as Econometrics or related
- Aregraduating May 2024 – August 2027
- Are based in Europe/UK
- Are able to attend all five days of the program in Amsterdam
No prior finance experience required.
“The trainers were very engaging, approachable and clearly love what they do.”
“The week gave me real clarity on what I enjoy and confirmed that this is the direction I want to go in.”
“Interacting with such a talented and diverse cohort was refreshing and highly educational.”
