While remote work has become increasingly common in the financial sector since the COVID-19 pandemic, investment professional Levi Pettit suggests that early-career professionals might want to think twice before embracing this trend. Drawing from his own experience in the industry, Pettit emphasizes the unique value of in-person work environments for professional development.
“People coming out of undergrad who want to pursue finance may find remote work attractive,” says Pettit, a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas. “However, it’s important for those in entry-level positions to seek opportunities where they can be face-to-face with people every single day—in my experience, that’s where I learned and grew the most.”
Levi Pettit’s Journey Through Finance
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2018 with a double major in finance and economics, Pettit has built a diverse portfolio of experience in the financial sector. His career began at Independent Financial, where he worked as an enterprise risk management analyst. This was followed by a role as a credit analyst at Veritex Bank, before transitioning to an investment associate position at a first-generation, single-family office.
The family office experience proved particularly valuable, offering Pettit insight into how high-net-worth individuals approach both traditional and alternative investments. “It was an amazing experience,” he reflects. “My role was generally on the private side, dealing more with alternative investments, private equity, venture capital, and commercial real estate. We would do direct investing, as well as allocating some investing in funds.”
Building a Strong Foundation in Finance
Pettit, who is currently pursuing an MBA at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, emphasizes the importance of seeking both networking and mentoring opportunities early in one’s career. He particularly values the ability to observe company leaders in action, noting that remote environments often don’t provide these crucial learning opportunities.
“If I was graduating today, I would try to find something that required me to be in a seat five days a week, and make sure there was some type of team culture,” he advises. This perspective stems from his own positive experiences in more traditional office settings, particularly during his time at a family office where he appreciated the direct lines of communication with senior leadership.
The early lessons from his career continue to shape his approach. Pettit recalls valuable advice from his first boss: “I know that you just graduated, and you think that you have a college degree and you know everything now; but that’s not the case. You need to realize you will need to continue learning for the rest of your career.”
For young professionals entering the finance industry today, Pettit suggests focusing on opportunities that provide hands-on experience and direct mentorship. While remote work might offer flexibility, he believes the potential for professional growth through daily in-person interactions shouldn’t be underestimated.
As the industry continues to evolve, Pettit’s journey from enterprise risk management to family office investing, and now to pursuing an MBA, demonstrates the value of remaining adaptable while maintaining a commitment to continuous learning. His experience suggests that success in finance isn’t just about technical knowledge—it’s about building relationships and learning from those around you, something that often happens most effectively in person.