Investment professional Levi Pettit believes that success in finance, particularly for early-career professionals, still depends heavily on face-to-face interaction. The CFA® charterholder and Pepperdine Graziadio MBA candidate challenges the growing trend toward remote work, especially for those just entering the field.

The Learning Advantage

“Entry-level job seekers really should be looking for opportunities where they can be face-to-face with people every single day,” Pettit emphasizes, drawing from his experience in investment management and private equity. “That’s where I learned the most — and how I grew the most.”

Despite the increasing popularity of remote arrangements, Pettit sees potential limitations for professional development. “The young people who want to pursue finance may find that attractive,” he acknowledges. “They may see older friends or family who have these hybrid jobs, where they can travel or work from home. However, for an entry-level job, they really should be looking for opportunities where they can be face-to-face with people every single day.”

Building Success Through Mentorship

Pettit’s own journey illustrates the value of in-person learning. After graduating magna cum laude from The University of Texas at Dallas with degrees in Finance and Economics, he discovered his passion during a family office internship, leading to a role as an investment associate.

His commitment to professional growth included pursuing his CFA® charter, requiring over 600 hours of dedicated study. “Nobody required it of me,” he notes. “It was a lot of evenings and weekends studying.”

For those starting their careers, Pettit emphasizes the importance of finding mentors. “You have to put yourself out there. Find mentors — I would definitely not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the mentors I have in my life,” he advises.

This approach reflects advice he received early in his career: “I know that you just graduated, and you think that you have a college degree and know everything now; but that’s not the case — and you need to realize that you will need to continue learning for the rest of your career.”

While the financial industry continues to evolve with new technologies, Pettit maintains that the foundations of professional development remain rooted in personal interaction and direct observation, advantages that virtual environments have yet to fully replicate.