Business

Levi Pettit Makes the Case for Traditional Office Culture in Finance

In an era where remote work has become increasingly mainstream, investment professional Levi Pettit is advocating for a return to basics when it comes to early career development in finance. The CFA® charterholder and current Pepperdine Graziadio Business School MBA candidate argues that face-to-face interaction remains crucial for professional growth, particularly for those just entering the field.

Why Young Professionals Need the Office

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

The perspective comes from someone who has navigated multiple roles in the financial sector, from commercial banking to working as an Investment Associate at a single-family office. Despite the growing appeal of remote work among recent graduates, Pettit sees potential pitfalls in this trend.

“The young people who want to pursue finance may find that attractive,” he acknowledges, referring to hybrid work arrangements. “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.”

Levi Pettit’s Path to Success

Pettit’s own journey exemplifies the value of in-person learning and relationship building. After graduating magna cum laude from The University of Texas at Dallas with degrees in Finance and Economics, he embraced opportunities that put him in direct contact with industry leaders and mentors.

“I really didn’t understand what a family office was at the time I interned in one, and I fell in love with it,” he recalls. “You have a direct line of communication to the most important people in the company. It felt like something I could see myself doing long-term.”

This experience led to his role as an investment associate at a first-generation, single-family office, where he developed expertise in alternative investments and private equity. Throughout his career progression, Pettit has maintained a commitment to continuous learning, exemplified by his pursuit of the CFA® charter, which required over 600 hours of study.

Building a Strong Foundation

For those starting their careers in finance today, Pettit emphasizes the importance of being proactive about professional development. “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.

He particularly stresses the value of bringing tangible work samples to interviews and consistently expanding one’s skill set through additional training and courses. “Companies may wonder, ‘Do you have the ability to produce a product that is going to be on par with what we expect?'” he notes.

This approach to career development aligns with advice Pettit received early in his own journey: “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.”

As the financial industry continues to evolve, Pettit’s insights suggest that while remote work may have its place, the fundamental value of in-person professional development remains unchanged. For those looking to build successful careers in finance, the traditional office environment still offers unique advantages that technology has yet to replicate.