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Hunt, Partner, Employee Benefits at The Baldwin Group: Advize Career Interview
A successful career in employee benefits, as exemplified by a Partner at The Baldwin Group, begins with a strong foundation in business and finance, honed through practical experience and a "learned by doing" approach.
The career path combines proactive planning with reactive problem-solving, involving diverse responsibilities such as leading teams, building client relationships across Southern California, and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of health insurance regulations.
Success in this field requires a self-starter mentality, a commitment to continuous learning, and a collaborative spirit.
The most rewarding aspects include witnessing team growth, building connections with business leaders, and contributing to a vital industry that impacts countless lives.
A collegiate athletic background further strengthens the skillset necessary, instilling mental toughness and perseverance. This career offers a blend of intellectual stimulation, meaningful impact, and significant professional growth.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Hunt Turner
Partner, Employee Benefits
The Baldwin Group
Cal Poly, SLO
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Finance
Insurance
Consulting
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Career Path Of An Employee Benefits Partner At The Baldwin Group
Hunt's career began at Cal Poly SLO as a business finance major, leading to their first job as a sales representative selling health insurance solutions—"a nice blend of personality and skill set learned at Cal Poly." This launched a 25+ year career in the same industry, progressing to a partnership at The Baldwin Group, where they continue to utilize similar skills learned early in their career.
Main Responsibilities of a Partner Employee Benefits at The Baldwin Group
Hunt's main responsibilities at The Baldwin Group include leading a team to "address day-to-day questions" and proactively plan for clients' needs, while also reacting to immediate issues; this involves "solving issues" and "putting out fires" as they arise, all within the context of employee benefits. The role blends proactive long-term planning ("planning for the next six to 12 month period") with reactive problem-solving.
A Day in the Life of a Partner, Employee Benefits at The Baldwin Group
A day for Hunt, a Partner at The Baldwin Group, involves a "combination of heavy emails, Zoom calls, and phone calls," balanced with in-person client visits across Southern California to discuss renewals, new programs, or ongoing issues, providing "a ton of variety" and opportunities to meet diverse business leaders. The role's dynamic nature highlights the multifaceted responsibilities and client interaction central to a partner's position.
Favorite Parts of Being a Partner Employee Benefits at The Baldwin Group
Hunt's most rewarding aspects of the role at The Baldwin Group include the internal team growth, stating "working with my team...to see that my coworkers...grow and thrive," and the external connections with business owners, learning "what makes those individual companies and people successful" through "dozens and dozens" of interactions.
Biggest Challenges For A Partner Employee Benefits At The Baldwin Group
Hunt's biggest challenges involve adapting to evolving client needs, specifically "keeping up with trends" as companies relocate and necessitate understanding "new state laws," and cultivating the next generation of professionals for the employee benefits industry, which Hunt describes as an "awesome business" with "a great way to have a really successful career."
Favorite Parts of Working in the Healthcare and Health Insurance Industry as an Employee Benefits Partner
Hunt finds the dynamic and important nature of the health insurance industry rewarding, stating that "it impacts everyone across the country". The opportunity to contribute to solutions for improving national health and assisting patients facing medical challenges is a key source of satisfaction in their career at The Baldwin Group.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Employee Benefits Industry According To An Employee Benefits Partner At The Baldwin Group
Hunt, a Partner at The Baldwin Group, highlights the importance of being a "self-starter" in the employee benefits industry, emphasizing a learn-by-doing approach where asking questions and actively engaging in problem-solving are key to success. The collaborative team culture fosters growth, but individual initiative is paramount for career flourishing.
What A Partner In Employee Benefits At The Baldwin Group Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Employee Benefits Industry
Hunt, a Partner at The Baldwin Group, advises that a career in employee benefits is "definitely a journey," emphasizing the importance of proactive mentorship and networking. The interviewee suggests that cultivating curiosity and asking questions from people of all experience levels—putting "your ego aside"—is key to growth and learning within the field.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Employee Benefits Professionals
A common entry-level path in employee benefits is working at an insurance company, "learning about the insurance industry from one of the carriers," gaining foundational knowledge before branching into management, brokerage, or technology roles within HRIS and benefits technology. Many find this "positive environment" a strong springboard to diverse career paths.
Significant Career Lesson From A Partner Employee Benefits At The Baldwin Group
Hunt's most significant career lesson is the importance of "never stopped learning" and being "hungry for knowledge and experience". Further, the realization that success comes from empowering and supporting team members to "blossom and be successful," rather than feeling threatened by their abilities, has become a favorite part of their job.
College Experiences That Helped A Partner Employee Benefits At The Baldwin Group Succeed
Cal Poly's "learned by doing" approach instilled a valuable problem-solving mentality in Hunt, combining practical experience with technical skills like "forecasting, financial management, working with numbers". This fostered a mindset of tackling challenges head-on, viewing obstacles not as "something that's scary, but something that is attainable".
How Identity Has Influenced A Benefits Partner At The Baldwin Group's Career
Hunt's experience as a collegiate tennis player instilled valuable skills applicable to a career in employee benefits, including "mental toughness" and the ability to "overcome challenges." This foundation fostered a persistent work ethic, exemplified by Hunt's self-described approach of "pleasantly persistent" problem-solving, which has proven instrumental in professional success.
Advizer Personal Links
hunt356 - insta & Twitter, linkedin.com/in/huntturner
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