Owen Tracey (right) says he learned valuable, real-world experience being part of the Owl Fund. (Photo courtesy of Owen Tracey)

Name: Owen Tracey 
Major: Finance 
Hometown: Lacey Township, NJ 

Owen Tracey, BBA ’24, had Temple University at the top of his list from the start, but the deciding factor was learning about the Owl Fund.   

“I was initially drawn to Temple because of my love for Philly sports. I wanted to study sports management,” Tracey says. “But, in my senior year of high school, a teacher gave a presentation on the Great Depression—and that moment piqued my interest in finance. I learned about Temple’s student investment fund and it sounded like an incredible opportunity.”  

From there it was history.  

Despite the long hours, Tracey remembers his experience with the Owl Fund fondly.  

“It was the best experience I had in my academic career,” he says. “I learned valuable, real-world experience being part of the Owl Fund. 

“It made me want to work hard every night to compete. The best part is that because we are using real money, we can see real results." 

Tracey also benefited from the camaraderie and mentorship from fellow Fox School of Business students and Owl Fund leaders. 

“Students Victoria Sharpadskaya, and Zach DeVice, as well as countless others, were both instrumental in my growth as a person and a professional,” Tracey says. “Victoria taught me how to write in a business language and how to look at a company/industry and value it, while Zach spent plenty of hours helping me prep for interviews and review my pitches.” 

During his time at Temple, Tracey has also participated in the Temple Finance Association to expand his knowledge of the industry.  

Owen Tracey teaching students at the Wall Street Boot Camp during a Temple Finance Association meeting. (Photo courtesy of the Temple Finance Association.) 

“Through my leadership role with the Temple Finance Association and Wall Street Boot Camp, I've acquired essential professional development skills and gained a solid foundation of knowledge about the financial markets,” Tracey says. 

“Being familiar with specific companies set me apart from other interns when I joined the French investment bank BNP Paribas in NYC as an intern last summer,” he says. “The Owl Fund prepared me well enough to make it a level playing field with those coming from Ivy League schools."  

The world of finance is incredibly competitive. However, Tracey takes it in stride, accepting the challenge.  

“I realized that I will always run into people who are smarter than me and work harder, but if I am getting better today than I was yesterday that is what matters,” he says. 

Tracey is grateful for all he has learned at Temple and the leadership roles he has held. He is looking forward to helping as many individuals as possible to be successful.  

“I've benefited immensely from the guidance and support of others, and now it's my turn to pay it forward,” he says. “I remember being a freshman and sitting in a Wall Street Boot Camp lecture trying to learn about the things I am now teaching. 

“Being able to relate to these students and share knowledge with them has been incredibly fulfilling.” 

Tracey credits his parents for his drive to do well and to pay it forward. 

“My parents came from absolutely nothing and to see what they have done in their lives is so inspirational,” he says. “My mom used to work 10-plus hour days and then still play games with me after work even though she was tired. When I was in middle school, my dad took a huge risk and started up his own business, yet he still made time to attend all my sporting events.”  

Fast forward and now Tracey and his father have great conversations about business. 

After years of dedicating himself to the world of finance, Tracey’s hard work paid off. He received a full-time job offer from BNP Paribas on the high yield credit team.  

However, before he heads to New York, he is looking forward to a break to enjoy time with family and friends. 

“I am going to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park with my parents, as well as the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee with my high school friends,” he says. “I just want to soak everything in before the long hours begin.” 

Overall, Tracey is grateful for his Temple experience and for his future plans. 

"My Temple experience boils down to three points: the people that I have met, giving back to continue a pipeline of intelligent students, and hard work,” he says.