Rising senior Sophie Scherer is making waves in both the classroom and on Wall Street. A double major in computer science and finance with a minor in Spanish, she recently stood in the spotlight as she rang the closing bell at Nasdaq, a moment marking not just personal achievement but a celebration of progress in the finance industry.
Scherer was invited to ring the bell in New York City as part of the Girls Who Invest alumni board, celebrating the program’s 10th anniversary.
“It was an unforgettable experience,” she said. “Standing beside so many accomplished female investors reminded me of how far the industry has come, and how much opportunity still lies ahead for the next generation in finance.”
That milestone moment was the culmination of years of dedication and exploration — much of it sparked and supported by her time at NC State Poole College of Management.
Scherer’s passion for finance and computer science began early, thanks in part to her father introducing her to options trading. But it wasn’t until she met an NC State alum working in trading that she realized she could pursue quantitative finance, a career at the intersection of her two interests.
“I’ve always loved solving problems in fast-paced environments,” she said. “Quant trading combines game theory, data science and math to drive real-world impact. And best of all, I get to work on collaborative teams tackling high-stakes challenges.”
At Poole, Scherer found the ideal launchpad for her goals. She is currently the managing director of student organization Bell Tower Capital Management, leading a team of student analysts who manage a $200,000 undergraduate investment portfolio. She also co-founded NC State’s first Quantitative Finance Club, building a space for students interested in data-driven investing, and she continues to serve as a campus ambassador for Girls Who Invest.
“Start early. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others. One conversation can change your whole career trajectory.”
This summer, Scherer is taking her skills to one of the world’s leading trading firms as a quant trading intern at Citadel Securities, where she’ll join the fundamental equities team. Her internship will include project-based work, internal education programs, strategy competitions, and the chance to pitch trade ideas in a real-world, high-speed environment.
Landing the internship was the result of years of intentional preparation: networking, building personal projects, practicing technical interviews and drawing inspiration from books like “Heard on the Street” and “Thinking in Bets.” Her advice to other students?
“Start early. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others. One conversation can change your whole career trajectory.”
Scherer is also deeply committed to making finance more inclusive. She hopes her story encourages others to dream big, especially from non-traditional backgrounds.
“Don’t limit yourself just because you don’t come from a ‘target school’ or a typical background,” she said. “With hard work and the right support, you can achieve more than you think. Most importantly, pay it forward.”
Scherer credits much of her success to the Poole community. From professors to advisors to student leaders and mentors, she found encouragement and challenge in equal measure.
“Sophie is constantly engaged in future planning that embraces pre- and post-graduation options and possibilities. She excels inside and outside of the classroom,” shares Bobby Puryear, Scherer’s Park Scholar mentor. “It is no surprise to hear that she recently rung the closing bell at Nasdaq.”
“Thanks to Poole, the Park Scholarships Program, and the students who came before me, I’ve walked through doors I didn’t even know existed,” she said. “I look forward to helping open those doors for future students.”
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