I’m currently at a smaller prop firm that, as I understand it, is structured as a family office for legal and financial reasons. I’ll be allocated firm capital and given my own book to trade. I’m curious whether spending 1–2 years here could be a good stepping stone to a larger prop firm or hedge fund. Assuming I develop a solid trading process and track record, how would that experience be viewed? How much does the firm’s name or structure matter compared to the actual trading experience and results? I’m also wondering where I’d fit into recruiting afterward. Would graduate trading programs still be an option with 1–2 years of experience, or would I mainly need to target junior or experienced-hire roles? I would appreciate hearing from anyone who’s made a similar move or has insight into how these firms evaluate early-career traders.