Senior Spotlight: Emily Petillo
Katie Callahan
4/17/2020
Emily Petillo has never backed down from a challenge.
Whether athletically, academically or professionally, the senior has often welcomed new obstacles and always faces them head on.
Petillo’s career did not begin with the Florida Gators, instead she played her freshman season for the University of Louisville.
During her time with the Cardinals, she played in all 19 games, making 17 starts to close out the season. Yet, she was looking to push herself further.
“When I was transferring, I knew I wanted to push myself both athletically and academically at the next school I went to. Florida was a program I admired before I even thought of transferring schools. The minute I stepped on campus, all of my thoughts became a reality and I knew this was going to be my new home.”Emily Petillo
Florida checked off all the boxes: top-tier academics, top-tier lacrosse team, top-tier weather. Emily had found her next challenge.
By the start of her senior year, Emily had reached the pinnacle – earning a spot as one of three captains for the Florida lacrosse program.
“I believe as a leader my attitude and work ethic had a positive impact on my teammates."Emily Petillo
She would strive to work the hardest both on and off the field to set an example for the underclassmen.
In this world of COVID-19, that leadership looks a tad different, but Petillo is up to the challenge. On a recent Zoom call with the team and coaching staff, each Gator was prompted with the following question: What three values best encompass a Florida lacrosse player?
“Hungry. Heart. Discipline,” Petillo said when her time arose.
As a player who had seen both the bench and the starting lineup, the Manasuqan, N.J. native understood both the hard work and commitment it takes to succeed and showcased that every single day to her teammates.
Emily impacted all of those around her, but none more than redshirt junior Brianna Harris.
From the moment Petillo transferred to Florida, the two have been inseparable. “Emily is the type of person who will drop everything for a friend,” said Harris. “She’s the type of honest that everyone needs.”
Petillo was early to every practice, every conditioning workout and was always willing to put the extra effort in to succeed – both on and off the field.
“Emily’s attitude in life is inspiring. Through her friendship – thus ultimately her leadership – I’ve learned more about work ethic and determination than I ever even knew that I needed.”Brianna Harris
Petillo continuously went that extra mile. Those actions, in turn, made every one around her want to push themselves a little harder as well.
While off the lacrosse field, Emily worked to fill her resume to the brim – preparing herself for the next steps in life.
Get ready for the laundry list.
Petillo – along with fellow teammate Lexi Bolton – was invited to participate in the SEC Career Tour in the fall of 2018. The goal of the career tour is to provide exposure for SEC student-athletes who are seeking career opportunities in various fields.
She was an ambassador for the College of Business in the Warrington Diplomats program, as well as having been a member of the Student Investment Club.
“Essentially, I conducted tours of our business school, attracted prospective students and empowered current students to embrace what it is like to be a business gator."Emily Petillo
The Manasuqan, N.J. native continued to be as involved in the Business School as possible – serving as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant in the school during her junior and senior years.
Emily shadowed at a wealth management firm in Gainesville, all while working on campus in a consumer banking role.
She took every opportunity she could while at the University of Florida and it paid off.
Throughout her sophomore year, Petillo found her passion in finance. She worked to become more involved with the financial organizations on campus, during which, she also held a banking internship.
The next challenge – Wall Street.
In May of 2018, the Gators fought all the way to the Elite 8, falling just short to the eventual National Champions, James Madison.
That could take the wind out of anyone’s sails, but that same day, Petillo landed an interview that helped lay out her career path before her.
That interview led to the internship of a lifetime in the summer of 2019 – working on a trading floor in NYC as a Sales & Trading Summer Analyst.
She utilized those skills she had acquired as an athlete at UF to make the most out of her experience in New York City.
“It was a steep learning curve, required the ability to think in a fast pace environment and have extreme attention to detail. If I wanted to work out before work I had to get up at 4:15 a.m. to make a 5 a.m. class and get to work by 6 a.m.”Emily Petillo
Both the routine and structure were nothing new to the soon-to-be senior. As a student-athlete, routine was familiar and she enjoyed every second of it.
Her hard work paid off, as Petillo has accepted a full-time position as a Sales & Trading Analyst in a rotational program beginning in June in NYC.
“I loved Sales & Trading specifically because I was able to learn the quantitative aspect of trading securities, while also using the outgoing, talkative side of my personality on the sales aspect of the job,” said Petillo.
Prior to beginning that position, she must go through several weeks of training for her Series 7 and other trading licenses, but rigorous training will be nothing new to the four-year student-athlete.
The final challenge Petillo had to face as a Gator was having her senior season end far too soon.
Yet, Petillo believes that this will forever be a lesson on being present and thankful for what she has in life.
The final time the team was physically together was March 13 and Petillo had one last message for the underclassmen.
“I told the returners that during their time here if they are ever having a bad day and cannot find it to play for themselves, then do it for those of us that played our last game without even knowing it. To play for the those of us that would have loved to finished what we started.”Emily Petillo
Though her time at UF was cut short, Petillo found her best friends, a lifetime of memories, and a future career – all things that she is incredibly grateful for.
“Being a Gator both on and off the field has opened up a world of opportunity for me and I am so thankful that I got to be a small part of such a big orange and blue community.
