Part 1 of an ongoing series: Real members. Real offers. Real proof that RTC works.
I’m Rosa. I graduated from Johns Hopkins University and now work full-time as a software engineer at Belvedere Trading on the execution systems team. My journey with Belvedere started the summer before my senior year when I interned there, and I loved the experience so much that coming back full-time was an easy decision. Outside of work, you’ll find me binge-watching true crime shows, walking my pup, or on a quest for the best happy hour deal.
Software Engineer
How did RTC first come into your life, and what role did the community play while you were at Hopkins?
I came across RTC at their booth at the Grace Hopper Conference in Orlando. This was an inspiring experience hearing other women in tech share their stories about navigating the industry and making an impact.
I was part of the Women in Computer Science chapter at Hopkins (which actually sponsored the Grace Hopper trip). Back on campus, I shared my conference experiences and stayed motivated to keep the connections I’d made with RTC and its community.
Did RTC play any part in landing your internship at Belvedere, directly or indirectly?
Definitely. The feedback and encouragement I received from RTC at GHC gave me a real boost throughout my internship application journey, both in terms of practical advice and the confidence going in.
The Internship → Full-Time Journey
What was going through your head during your internship? Did you know early on you wanted to come back?
Learning and growth were the main themes. It was my first real exposure to working in industry, and I was surrounded by so many smart people who were generous in sharing their knowledge. Belvedere did a great job blending structured learning with hands-on experience, and a huge shout-out to Belvedere’s learning program, Belvedere Trading University (BTU).
Through courses like Dev 201 and Core Theory for Tech, BTU helped me learn how to work within Belvedere’s tech stack and development environment, while also giving me a strong foundation in options trading fundamentals. Having that context made it much easier for me to understand the business behind the technology I was building.
Was there a moment during recruiting where you felt uncertain or doubted yourself? How did you push through it?
On the super day with Belvedere, I was on Zoom with other candidates, and it felt intimidating at first. A super day is essentially a final-round interview, where candidates go through multiple interviews and are evaluated across technical skills and cultural fit. I reminded myself that I’d put in the work and earned my spot, and tried to focus on just being present. That shift in mindset really helped.
What did it actually feel like to accept the full-time offers?
It felt great. I remember it was a sunny afternoon when I got the call from my campus recruiter, and I accepted on the spot. It was one of those moments where everything I worked for just clicked into place.
For Members Who Are Currently Searching
A lot of RTC members are applying to roles right now in a tough market and feeling the pressure. What would you tell them from where you’re standing?
It is for sure a stressful and difficult time, and it wouldn’t be fair for me to just say “try your best” because I am sure people already are. When I felt overwhelmed during my recruiting season, I told myself this would become one of many battles I’d face, and that I’d fought through every one before and would get through this one too.
What’s something about fintech recruiting you wish someone had told you earlier?
Speaking from a dev perspective – it’s okay if you don’t have a finance or quantitative analysis background. Just share the technical experiences and skills honestly, whether they came from school, hackathons, or side projects. That authenticity goes a long way.
Life at Belvedere
What’s something about working on the execution systems team that surprised you?
How much cross-team collaboration is needed to keep everything running smoothly. It’s far from enough to just focus on the services my team “owns” because nothing works in isolation, and understanding the bigger picture is essential to getting things done right.
Do you feel like you belong there? What made you feel that way?
Absolutely. Being a mid-sized company means I actually get to meet and interact with people across the whole firm. Belvedere also has an employee program called “Own It”, and just as the name suggests, we take part in shaping our experience there. We get to pick the office snacks, engage in campus recruiting, and attend charity events. One of my most memorable experiences was building a house (yes, a real house that someone will move in!) with the Women’s Initiative.
What made you pick Belvedere for your internship over other options you may have had?
Belvedere was my one decision! I accepted the offer two weeks into my senior year and spent the rest of college not worrying about recruiting at all. I felt so fortunate that Belvedere gave me the freedom to fully enjoy my last year as a student, spending time with friends, getting involved in campus organizations, and being present for it all.
Many people don’t know much about prop trading firms. What did you actually know about Belvedere before you joined, and how did your perception change once you were inside?
I knew Belvedere had been awarded the Best Place to Work by BuiltIn several years in a row. I knew it had a great culture, a collaborative environment, and some of the smartest people in the industry. And honestly, all of that held true once I got inside.
What’s the culture like there, and how does it compare to what you expected going in?
I really get to know everyone. There is never a shortage of company events, so I can build relationships with people outside of my immediate team. I’m also close with my intern and full-time cohort. One thing I definitely didn’t expect is that I’m in a book club now, but I’m genuinely looking forward to it.
What’s kept you there? What does Belvedere offer that you don’t think you’d find everywhere?
The people, without a doubt. And the pace of work. The fast iteration cycles mean I can see the impact of our projects the very next day. That kind of immediate feedback and ownership is something I don’t think you’d find just anywhere.
