Levi Pettit Shares Investment Insights from His Career Journey

For investment professional Levi Pettit, continuous learning has been the cornerstone of his career development. Recently completing his MBA at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, Pettit brings experience from various finance sectors, including commercial banking and private equity investment.

“This continual theme for me over the past decade has just been really driven and dedicated to continual improvement and never settling,” says Pettit, who earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Dallas, where he also captained the men’s golf team for two seasons.

Balancing Education and Professional Growth

After graduating magna cum laude with a double major in finance and economics, Pettit worked as an enterprise risk management analyst at Independent Financial before becoming a credit analyst at Veritex Bank. His career progression eventually led him to a position as an investment associate at a first-generation, single-family office.

Throughout his professional journey, Pettit has balanced work responsibilities with educational pursuits, earning his CFA designation through dedicated study during evenings and weekends.

Advice for Young Finance Professionals

For those starting their careers in finance, Pettit emphasizes the importance of in-person workplace experiences. “For an entry-level job, you really should be looking for opportunities where you can be face-to-face with people every single day,” he advises young professionals seeking to propel their careers forward.

He believes regularly observing company leaders making decisions provides valuable learning opportunities that remote environments simply cannot match.

The Power of Networking and Mentorship

Pettit also champions networking and mentorship as crucial elements for career advancement in the competitive finance industry.

“You’ve got 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 explains.

His approach to professional development combines technical expertise with soft skills gained from his collegiate athletic experience, where he learned discipline, time management, and the value of preparation.

As the financial landscape continues to evolve, Pettit remains committed to adapting through ongoing education and development—a philosophy he encourages all finance professionals to embrace in their own career journeys.