Investment professional and CFA® charterholder Levi Pettit has a clear message for new graduates entering the finance industry: don’t be too quick to embrace remote work. Currently pursuing his MBA at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, Pettit emphasizes the irreplaceable value of face-to-face interaction in early career development.

The Value of In-Person Learning

“Entry-level job seekers really should be looking for opportunities where they can be face-to-face with people every single day,” Pettit advises, 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 growing appeal of remote work, particularly among recent graduates, Pettit sees potential limitations in this approach. “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 a Strong Foundation

Pettit’s own career trajectory demonstrates 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. This led to his role as an investment associate, where he developed expertise in alternative investments and private equity.

His commitment to professional development included earning his CFA® charter through more than 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 mentorship. “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 aligns with 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 fundamentals of professional development remain rooted in personal interaction and observation, advantages that virtual environments have yet to fully replicate.