Investment professional Levi Pettit learned the value of continuous learning early in his career. “My first boss said to me, ‘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,'” he recalls. This advice shaped his approach to professional development and continues to influence his career decisions, including his pursuit of an MBA at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.
Setting Professional Development Goals
Throughout his career, Pettit has consistently pursued additional education and certifications. His achievement of the CFA designation exemplifies this commitment to growth. “Nobody ever asked me to do this professionally,” he notes. “It’s something that I did on my own.” The process required significant dedication, with Pettit studying evenings and weekends while maintaining his full-time professional responsibilities.
Creating Long-Term Success
Now pursuing his MBA, Pettit continues to emphasize the importance of never settling. “This continual theme for me over the past decade has just been really driven and dedicated to continual improvement,” he explains, encouraging others to maintain a similar mindset throughout their careers. The decision to pursue an MBA, he notes, came from a desire to expand his knowledge base and prepare for future opportunities.
Investment in Self-Development
Pettit emphasizes that professional growth often requires personal sacrifice and investment. Whether it’s dedicating weekends to additional coursework or taking on challenging projects, he advocates for consistently pushing beyond comfort zones. “Being a forever learner is really important and one of my cornerstones,” he says, noting that this approach has helped him adapt to industry changes and advance in his career. For more follow Levi on Twitter.