As the business world continues to embrace remote work, the landscape for young finance professionals evolves rapidly. Levi Pettit, a seasoned investment associate, warns newcomers in the industry about a critical opportunity they might be neglecting amid this shift. Pettit, through his experiences, underscores the significant benefits of face-to-face interactions in early career stages.
The COVID-19 pandemic established remote work as a new norm, allowing flexibility and often improving work-life balance. However, Pettit suggests that for those just starting, this flexibility may come at a cost. “It’s crucial for entry-level professionals to seek environments where they can engage directly with their peers and mentors,” he asserts. For Pettit, who graduated magna cum laude with a double major in finance and economics, these interactions were pivotal in shaping his career path.
Beginning his career at Independent Financial, Levi Pettit was thrust into the world of enterprise risk management. This position, he notes, came with a steep learning curve that on-the-job experiences greatly helped him navigate. “My first boss emphasized that continuous learning was essential, a lesson that resonated with me deeply,” Pettit recalls.
His journey continued at Veritex Bank as a credit analyst, where his interactions were not limited to his immediate team, but extended to business lunches and meetings with influential industry figures. It was during such a meeting that Pettit reconnected with a former mentor who introduced him to the family office sector — a niche that combines investment management with a close-knit culture he found appealing.
Levi Pettit eventually joined a first-generation family office in 2019, where he played a significant role in managing private equity and venture capital investments. These experiences highlighted the invaluable insights gained from observing decision-making processes and the strategic thinking of seasoned professionals around him. Pettit advocates for young professionals to seek similar opportunities to witness leadership in action.
While remote work offers undeniable advantages, Pettit stresses the importance of an in-person presence during the formative years of one’s career. “Remote environments often lack the spontaneous learning opportunities that come from being in an office,” he explains. Levi Pettit encourages graduates to find roles that promote regular team interactions and mentorship, essential components for professional growth and development in the finance industry.