One graduate, five questions, go…
Bryan Peng ' 97 (Finance)
Senior Partner, GroupM
How did your education prepare you for what you are doing today?
SUNY Old Westbury showed me how to be an adult. Living on campus was the best thing that ever happened to me. I gained new perspectives on what it meant to be independent and how to make the best of situations on my own. Also, the School of Business introduced us to real-life experiences that really prepared me to get my first job and then to advance.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment or recent professional accomplishment to date?
Rising to my current position -- a high-level management role in the world's largest media investment group -- is my greatest accomplishment so far. When I was younger, I never thought I would make it in the professional workforce, but SUNY Old Westbury opened my eyes that hard work and dedication can lead to advancement in your professional career.
What programs do you support at SUNY Old Westbury, and why?
Student activities across campus are the biggest asset because they gave me the opportunity to speak up and lead. I was president of the Asian Club, which gave me an opportunity to be a leader and exposed me to public speaking. This experience opened my mind to connect with everybody instead of being stuck in a shell.
Do you have advice for current students?
My main advice is to make the best of your time at SUNY Old Westbury. Use it to grow within yourself and explore all the opportunities our college has to offer you. Know that there are great personnel there to guide you along the way. Don’t take the easy route, but challenge yourself and the status quo. You might think college is to get the B.S./B.A. degree, but there are many opportunities for you to grow. Find it within yourselves to take advantage of things in front of you.
What is your favorite memory and/or spot on campus?
Clark Center was the best place for me, where I challenged myself with others. Don’t think you don't learn by going to the gym. Exercising and interacting at the Clark Center changed me in ways a traditional classroom never could. You can get the highest GPA and top honors, but if you can’t interact with others you won't succeed. Many times, having the right persona is important in the workforce. Employers want people with well-rounded character as well as intelligence.