From College Student to Nasdaq Bellringer: How Sophie Scherer Is Redefining Wall Street for a New Generation
Discover how NC State’s Sophie Scherer is breaking barriers at Nasdaq and leading a student team managing $200,000 in real investments.
- $200,000 managed by Scherer’s student investment team at NC State
- 10th anniversary of Girls Who Invest honored at the Nasdaq ceremony
- 1st ever Quantitative Finance Club co-founded by Scherer at NC State
- 1,000s of female investors inspired through Scherer’s advocacy work
Wall Street isn’t just for seasoned bankers anymore. This summer, 21-year-old Sophie Scherer is living proof that the next generation can—and will—reshape the financial world.
Recently, Scherer, a rising senior at NC State’s Poole College of Management, stood on Wall Street’s iconic stage: She rang the Nasdaq closing bell in New York City. The event marked a decade of progress for the Girls Who Invest initiative—a national force championing female investment leaders.
As the camera flashes faded, Scherer’s achievement represented more than personal success. It was a clarion call for students from all backgrounds: If you’re hungry to break into finance, the doors are open wider than ever.
Q: How Did Sophie Scherer Get Started on Her Finance Journey?
Scherer credits her early love for finance to evenings at the kitchen table, where she and her father discussed options trading and the art behind the numbers. A pivotal conversation with an NC State alum in trading added fuel to her ambition, revealing the rise of quantitative finance—a field at the crossroads of computer science, economics, and mathematics.
NC State’s Poole College gave her the launchpad she needed. Professors, mentors, and student leaders challenged her at every turn, helping her see beyond traditional paths.
Q: What Makes Quantitative Finance So Exciting?
Quant trading is not just about crunching numbers. Picture high-stakes decision-making, combining game theory, data science, and rapid-fire math. Every day brings a new puzzle—and the stakes are real, as Scherer leads a team of student analysts overseeing a $200,000 investment portfolio at Bell Tower Capital Management.
Scherer thrives in these fast-paced environments, finding satisfaction in teamwork, creative strategy, and the knowledge that every choice could make—or lose—real money. She even co-founded NC State’s very first Quantitative Finance Club, inviting students with math, computer, and finance skills to tackle the markets together.
Q: How Is Scherer Inspiring a More Inclusive Wall Street?
Scherer stands at the forefront of a movement to make finance more inclusive. As a campus ambassador for Girls Who Invest, she mentors the next generation, emphasizing that talent comes from everywhere—not just “target schools” or privileged backgrounds. The recent Nasdaq celebration, surrounded by fellow female investors, highlighted how far the industry has come and how much further it can go.
How to Break Into Quant Finance, According to Scherer
– Start early: Get curious about markets, math, and coding.
– Build and showcase your own projects—everything from Python scripts to small investment portfolios.
– Practice technical interviews and keep learning from books like “Heard on the Street” and “Thinking in Bets.”
– Don’t hesitate to network. Sometimes, a single conversation with a mentor or industry pro can change everything.
– Seek out summer internships with top firms like Citadel Securities, where Scherer will sharpen her skills as a quant trading intern on the fundamental equities team.
Q: What’s Next for Sophie Scherer?
Scherer’s story is just getting started. With a track record of leadership, a summer internship at one of Wall Street’s elite trading firms, and a passion for lifting others, she plans to keep opening doors for the next generation. Her mentors at NC State say her relentless future-planning sets her apart.
Scherer credits her growth to a strong support network at Poole, the Park Scholarships Program, and a determination to pay it forward.
Before she heads for Wall Street full-time, Scherer is determined to make sure students everywhere know: Financial careers aren’t reserved for a select few. With drive, curiosity, and the right support, breaking in is not only possible—it’s happening right now.
Ready to break into finance or tech? Take action today!
- Network with professionals and alumni in your field
- Develop real-world projects to build your skills
- Join student clubs and seek out leadership opportunities
- Apply for summer internships at top firms
- Share your knowledge—become a mentor or ambassador for underrepresented groups
Don’t wait. Start your Wall Street journey now—and help open doors for others, just like Sophie Scherer.