David Pensyl

David Pensyl, a Financial Advisor with Lincoln Investment, graduated from Chestnut Ridge High School in 2010. Upon leaving Chestnut Ridge, David attended Pittsburgh Technical Institute, earning an Associate Degree in Accounting, and then Robert Morris University, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Finance. David referred to his time at Chestnut Ridge as a wonderful upbringing, citing Mr. John Morbitzer and Mr. James Ballow as influential during his high school experience.

Presently, David calls the Pittsburgh’s North Side home. After high school, David knew that he wanted to live in the city for its convenience. Initially unsure what he wanted to do, David was inspired by an acquaintance to pursue his Bachelor’s degree; finding success in a challenging international finance course led him to pursue more finance courses.

His work at Lincoln involves portfolio management to help individuals meet short- and long-term financial goals. Essentially, he operates as an independent contractor, thus necessitating sales and marketing skills. David has become highly skilled at both print and video marketing. His YouTube channel can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNLXdc6OBbJsUp83bgOBJqQ/about.

As a lifelong learner, David is an avid consumer of knowledge relating to his field. He follows the Jazz Wealth YouTube channel, listens to The Money Guy Show, a podcast by Brian Preston, and reads books like The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham. His passion for personal growth is inspired, in part, by his desire to build a career that affords him the financial capacity to avoid living paycheck to paycheck.

As an individual who has worked extremely hard to be successful, David was asked to provide advice to high school students:

The best advice I would give to a high school student is to live by your own timeline and no one else’s. Too often (especially with the rise of social media), we tend to compare ourselves to others and try to live our lives according to what we see other people doing. You’ll see your friends go off to college and think, “I need to do that too, right away.” 

Taking a GAP YEAR or two is not a transgression, contrary to popular belief.  

You’ll see your peers get married, have children, buy homes, etc. The list goes on and on. These are lifelong commitments. And all these milestones can be great if you are ready for them. If that’s the case, then by all means – go for it. But if you aren’t, don’t try to convince yourself that you are and make hasty decisions just because everyone else is doing it.  

I have few regrets in life, but at the root of those few regrets was a need on my part to live by other people’s expectations of me. I advise you not to make the same mistake. Live your life for you - and you will end up exactly where you are supposed to be.