Hitting a home run, on and off the field

Exploring his Interests

Nathan Kassler ’25 is interested in people. It’s why he enjoys competing with the Wildcat baseball team, likes participating in student clubs and majoring in finance.

“There's a lot of different things about finance that kind of interested me originally,” Nathan said. “I really like the idea of strategic planning and how to strategize for people's best interests and helping people and financial advising, specifically. I just like being able to connect with people and create personal relationships on a different level.”

Nathan explored his finance interests over the summer thanks to an internship with Edward Jones. He was just one of 12 students nationwide — and the only one in the Pacific Northwest — who participated in an internship pilot program with the Fortune 500 company.

Based out of the Edward Jones office in his hometown of Tumwater, Washington, Nathan’s day-to-day activities involved client talks, sitting in on interviews, scheduling appointments and a lot of phone management.

“Going in, I thought I was pretty good at talking on the phone,” Nathan said. “But you learn certain verbiage you have to use and to look out for the client's best interest. That was something that I really learned and something that I'll continue to get better at.”

In addition to working on skills, Nathan also developed and grew his professional network.

“I was in a great branch this summer with three great advisors,” he said. “I was able to get my name in there with a lot of great business owners in the area.”

Support from his professors

The internship was also an opportunity to apply concepts learned in the classroom to a real-word setting. Overall, Nathan felt well equipped for the task.

“The business professors are great,” Nathan said. “Professor Romero is great. She's held me out in so many ways and has been a big influence on the finance role. And she really wanted me to go the finance route.”

And Linfield business professor Madeleine Brady Romero knows Nathan will be successful.

“No matter what career path he chooses, I'd bet Nathan will always be successful, and I'd put serious money on that bet!” said Madeleine Brady Romero, associate professor of practice in the Linfield School of Business. “Nathan possesses that magical mix of diligence, smarts, work ethic, positivity and affable personality.”

A commitment to baseball

That dedication isn’t limited to his future career in finance. When he’s not busy in the classroom, you can find Nathan on the baseball diamond. He’s bounced around from playing catcher and first base, but you can watch him playing third base this year.

Nathan played in 18 games during the 2024 season, completing the year with two hits and three RBIs. With his 96 forced outs (putouts) and 11 assists, Nathan is ranked 14th in career fielding percentage (.991) for the Wildcats.

“It just teaches you so many life lessons that I've been able to apply outside of the game,” Nathan said of being on the team. “Baseball is so impactful because if you can succeed three out of 10 times, you will be the best of the best in the world. There's got to be a part of it where failure is accepted.”

Building on his faith

Nathan also finds acceptance and connection through the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), a student-run faith group for athletes. Nathan grew up practicing his faith and has been able to continue that while juggling school and sports.

Since 2022, Nathan has served as an FCA student athlete leadership team (SALT) leader, helping lead and organize activities on campus.

“I grew up in faith and went to Young Life in high school, and just was able to connect a little bit more with FCA here,” Nathan said. “It's been a great time.”

Looking ahead

Nathan plans to graduate with his Bachelor of Science in finance this spring. He has already accepted a full-time position with Edward Jones in his hometown of Tumwater, Washington to start in June as a financial advisor after he completes his security exams.

“There are so many career opportunities in finance,” Nathan said. “I always thought there's only financial advising. Well, there’s a lot of opportunity ... a lot of great careers from it.”

Nathan believes his experiences at Linfield – including his involvement with baseball, religion and finance – have given him the skills necessary for personal and career success.

“I had the opportunity to go and play baseball in other places, and I just don't think it would have been as successful or had the opportunities that I've had here,” Nathan said. “Linfield creates such a supportive community of people for you to meet and move forward with. It sets you up for success.”