Young finance alumnus achieves fast track to success at Prudential

In 2014, Peter Bahner was excited to be graduating from Bowling Green State University (BGSU) with a business degree, specializing in finance and a concentration in financial planning. His senior year, he interned at Prudential and accepted a full-time job there after graduation. Fast forward only two years, and Bahner has already achieved the role of Manager, Training and Development (MTD) at Prudential Advisors.

“After graduation,” states Bahner, “I transitioned from an internship with Prudential into the Career Development Program working my way up to become a Financial Professional Associate. I was able to work with a financial advisor, Pratik Shah, for about two years. Working with Pratik, I learned that when you combine a tireless work ethic with treating clients like family, you will enjoy going to work every day and be successful.”

Bahner does not see his young age as a barrier, but a plus. “With the proper mindset, work ethic, support systems, and educational background, I was able to move into this role. I look at my age as a positive, because I am able to adapt to the changing marketplace, and I will still be able to serve my clients for 30+ years.”

His primary responsibility at Prudential revolves around jumpstarting the careers of new financial professionals coming out of college, as well as those who are changing careers. “I work with these new financial professionals to help them develop marketing plans and business plans, get properly licensed and registered, learn core skills that will help them when dealing with clients, and work on developing recommendations for their clients. I work closely with the rest of the management team to ensure that our community is being served in the best possible way.”

In March of 2016, Bahner passed the Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) exam and is waiting to fulfill the experience requirement to become a CFP^® which will help distinguish him as a professional. “When I meet my experience requirement,” according to Bahner, “I will be amongst the 4% of CFPs^® who are under 30.”

The 2014 alumnus is not hesitant to praise his college education for launching his career. “I owe a lot to BGSU and the College of Business. I was fortunate enough to have a large group of professors that all taught in a much different style. The finance and financial planning classes also allowed me to have a strong understanding of the information that I use with clients today. What I was taught at BGSU, gave me a leg up as I went full-time and I built a very strong foundation for my career.”

The opportunity to take the personal financial planning concentration while at BGSU allowed him to sit for the CFP^® exam. “If I had not taken the required classes at BGSU, I would have had to take them over several years while working full-time. BGSU played a large role in helping me accomplish this prestigious CFP^® designation.”

Bahner concludes, “Looking back, attending BGSU was one of the best decisions that I have made. The educational background helped jumpstart my career, and I was able to build friendships that continue to strengthen every day.”

"Prudential Advisors" is a brand name of The Prudential Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries. CFP^® is an educational certification only.

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