Connecting through Finance
Sam Zylstra was drawn to Dordt University in part because of its close-knit community.
“I wanted to be a part of many different groups and truly leave a mark on the university I attended,” says Zylstra. “This led me to Dordt, as it’s a smaller university with an emphasis on individual relationships.”
Both in and out of the classroom, Zylstra has enjoyed meeting and connecting with new people. “I like to connect with people on a variety of subjects and interests,” says Zylstra. “I think Dordt does a good job offering a ton of different classes and ways to learn about many things.”
Zylstra chose a finance major and also landed on a second major in accounting to gain flexibility for his future career goals. Additionally, he is pursuing three minors (Kuyper Honors Program, political science, and economics), which he says will give him “a unique perspective on both corporate decision making and market speculation,” preparing him for any career path in the world of finance.
“The world runs on market growth and successful financial practices,” says Zylstra. “This is how learning about finance and economics has enabled me to understand the world better. Understanding the role politics plays in economics has also deepened that knowledge.”
Zylstra’s ambition and desire to gain as much experience as possible before graduation led him to participate in internships in the finance industry. He has gained valuable knowledge and firsthand experience in his field of interest, but he says he wouldn’t have been able to thrive in this role without his experiences at Dordt.
“Dordt prepared me for this role by giving me the tools to communicate well in the office,” says Zylstra.
Zylstra says that participating in Defender Capital Management, a club that gives students “hands-on experience as investment managers under faculty supervision and guidance,” has played a large part in refining his communication skills.
“I think that Defender Capital Management has been the most formative part of Dordt,” says Zylstra. “It’s offered both practical skills and relational skills that have allowed me to be successful in a professional setting. This includes communication skills, which I believe are vital to long-term career growth.”
After graduation in December 2025, Zylstra plans to work in accounting and consulting while planning to pursue an MBA in addition to his Certified Public Accounting (CPA) certification.
Ultimately, Zylstra is grateful that Dordt has provided him with opportunities to grow in his professional and personal pursuits.
“I have appreciated being around other students who are so passionate about their faith,” says Zylstra. “I am challenged by people around me who have such boldness with their faith that it allows me to be challenged into living more boldly for Christ.”
