When Sofia Nadezhdina first arrived at Chapman University from Russia, she carried the uncertainty that many international students face. “I initially had fears about fitting in and finding people with shared experiences and backgrounds,” she recalls. But those concerns quickly disappeared thanks to a welcoming campus environment. “Those doubts quickly dissipated as soon as I met my freshman year roommates and started attending my business classes.”

As a Business Administration major with an emphasis in International Business and a minor in Economics, Sofia found an academic home at the Argyros College of Business and Economics. She also joined Greek life early on, which helped her further connect with the campus community. “I joined a sorority during my freshman year, which further expanded my network and allowed me to participate in exciting social events and philanthropic endeavors,” she shared.

Beyond social bonds, Sofia found lifelong support among fellow international students. “To my tight-knit group of international friends that supported me and continues to be a part of my life today… thank you,” she says. “I can confidently say that my experience at Chapman transformed me from being a deer in the headlights to the confident woman in the field of finance that I am today.”

A Rising Career in Capital Markets

Sofia now serves as a Capital Markets Associate at SoFi, a prominent player in personal finance. Her role spans transaction execution, investor development, and crafting financing solutions to support strategic growth. “My responsibilities include building the investor database, managing client relationships, educating investors on funding strategies, creating marketing materials for SoFi’s ABS and private flow transactions, and credit performance analysis,” she explains.

Her journey into the world of finance wasn’t always clear-cut. “After graduating from Chapman, I was highly interested in intricate data analysis and underwriting; however, I was not entirely sure where I would fit in the vast world of finance.” That curiosity led her to a role at Consolidated Analytics as a Transaction Analyst, which laid the groundwork for her expertise in secondary market securitization.

From there, she transitioned to Hyundai Capital America, working on billion-dollar transactions in Auto-ABS. Today at SoFi, she thrives under the mentorship of a seasoned leadership team. “The opportunity to work closely with the execution and investor relations teams has been rewarding. I’m immensely grateful for the leadership at SoFi that has allowed me to flourish.”

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Sofia credits much of her success to the academic and professional foundation she built at Chapman. “The courses offered at Chapman’s business school exposed me to key business principles and helped me develop an essential skill set that I continue to use in my career.” She specifically highlights an assignment where she created an income statement and balance sheet from scratch: “That project solidified my understanding of internal business decisions.”

While academics played a big role, it was Sofia’s co-curricular activities that pushed her confidence and creativity. Her involvement in DECA, a national organization for future business leaders, proved pivotal. “Joining DECA gave me the chance to attend two nationwide conferences and compete in timed competitions,” she says. “I’m proud to highlight that the Chapman team brought back more than a dozen awards, even against thousands of top universities in the U.S.”

She also gained valuable real-world experience as a Lead Office Operations Supervisor at Chapman’s Fitness Department. “That role helped me develop my leadership and time management skills—something I still rely on today.”

Influential Faculty and Lasting Advice

Sofia cites two faculty members in particular—Kyle Hampton (Economics) and Scott Anderson (Accounting)—as key mentors in her journey. “Humanomics with Kyle Hampton was my favorite class. It challenges you to confront the source of your views and opinions. That kind of critical thinking is so important in the real world.”

For students and recent graduates, Sofia offers practical advice drawn from her own path, “Take any internship or work opportunity you find interesting. No opportunity is too small. Solidify your Excel and data analysis skills – get comfortable with large amounts of data. Practice for interviews with a trusted friend, even record yourself to notice filler words.”

Despite the challenges of being far from her family, Sofia found her footing thanks to the strength of the Chapman community. “I was able to find a supportive network of friends and their families whom I could rely on and share my experiences with,” she says.

Looking Ahead

Now a thriving professional in capital markets, Sofia reflects on her Chapman years with deep appreciation. “Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing,” she shares. “Participating in Greek life, philanthropic events, DECA, and working with graduate students on exciting projects made my Chapman experience extremely fulfilling.”

She encourages current students and alumni to fully engage with the resources Chapman offers. “Take full advantage of all the resources—graduate and post-graduate—that Chapman has to offer,” she says. “Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and ask any questions. I’m an open book!”

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