In preparation for the post-college scramble for jobs, students often migrate toward familiar professions. But many students searching for a career in a prominent field pivot to something else before they graduate. How many students walk onto campus as pre-med majors only to switch to another discipline after one semester of organic chemistry?
Today’s students seek a balance that combines financial success with a fulfilling lifestyle and the chance to make a positive impact. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics reveals that business disciplines award more undergraduate degrees than any other field, with some of the most lucrative opportunities for new graduates.
However, many of these jobs lack the desirable work-life balance, schedule flexibility, sense of personal impact and other perks found in financial planning careers. Jobs in financial planning are anticipated to grow more than 10% in the next decade, making it an attractive field for those seeking a well-rounded and prosperous professional life.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The growing need for financial advice
The current macroeconomic environment and evolving demographic trends are key factors contributing to growth in the profession. Rising interest rates and a volatile stock market continue to create investor unease, and the Great Wealth Transfer means $84 trillion of generational wealth will reallocate by 2045 — giving many people a reason to hire a financial adviser for the first time.
At the same time, nearly 4 in 10 advisers are expected to retire within the next 10 years, according to Cerulli Associates, leaving wealth management firms with more clients and a smaller pool of advisers to serve them.
Financial planning employers recognize these conflicting trends and are taking action. According to data from CFP Board Center for Financial Planning, total job postings increased 65% in the first half of 2023, including a 203% increase for roles requiring one to four years of experience. What’s more, internship listings have increased 55% year over year.
This uptick in demand is well documented. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of personal financial advisers to grow 13% by 2031, which is much faster than average across all occupations. But today’s young professionals want more than growth opportunities and a steady income. They want a sense of professional purpose as well.
A career with purpose
The need for additional financial planning professionals aligns with many students’ desire to pursue a purpose-driven career. Nationally, according to a survey from Gallup and Bates College, nearly all four-year college graduates (95%) consider a sense of purpose at least moderately important in their work.
Many young people say they want a career that helps people. Enter financial planning, often known as a “helping profession.” Financial planners, such as CFP® professionals, work closely with clients to understand their goals and develop a financial plan that meets their needs. Through pro bono work, planners also make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing barriers to reliable financial guidance.
The path to becoming a CFP® professional
Aspiring financial planners can pursue different paths in college. Young professionals in wealth management, financial consulting, operations or business administration often transition seamlessly into financial planning roles. CFP Board Registered Programs train college students who aspire to become CFP® professionals, who enjoy benefits like remote work, flexible schedules and a median salary of more than $95,000, which grows substantially with experience.
CFP Board Center for Financial Planning provides scholarships for students entering the financial planning field, with a focus on building a talent pipeline that reflects the diversity of the U.S. As of December 2023, the Center for Financial Planning has awarded 317 scholarships to women, 45% of whom are currently enrolled in education programs and working toward CFP® certification. Additionally, of the 317 female recipients, 50 have become CFP® professionals.
With nearly 40% of financial advisers expected to leave the workforce in the next decade — and the Great Wealth Transfer increasing the need for competent and ethical financial advice —demand for financial planners is soaring. Pursuing a career in financial planning offers recent graduates a purpose-driven, fulfilling option and a lucrative and flexible professional path.
Interested in learning more? Prospective financial planners can consult the CFP Board Career Center to explore internships and careers in financial planning.
Related Content
- Financial Adviser Designations Are Not All the Same
- Tempted to Make Rash Financial Decisions? Do This Instead
- CFP vs. CPA: What’s the Difference and Who Should You Hire?
- Over 50? You’re a Hot Ticket in Today’s Labor Market
- How to Find a Tax Preparer: What to Look for in a Tax Professional
-
USPS Is Raising Prices for Holiday Shipping: Dates and Increases You Need to KnowWhat the USPS's $16 price hike means for your wallet and your small business.
-
July CPI Report Ignites a Risk-On Rally: Stock Market TodayMarket participants price out worst-case scenarios for tariffs and inflation and will now turn their attention to employment and growth.
-
DST Exit Strategies: An Expert Guide to What Happens When the Trust SellsUnderstanding the endgame: How Delaware statutory trust dispositions work, what investors can expect and why the exit is probably more important than the entrance.
-
Think Selling Your Home 'As Is' Means You'll Have No Worries? Think AgainThere are significant risks and legal obligations involved in selling a home 'as is' and by yourself, without a real estate agent.
-
What the OBBB Means for Social Security Taxes and Your Retirement: A Wealth Adviser's GuideFor Americans in lower- and middle-income tax brackets, the enhanced deduction for older people reduces taxable income, shielding most of their Social Security benefits from being taxed.
-
Financial Planner vs Investment Manager: Who's the Better Value for You?When markets are shaky, who do you trust with your money? A recent study provides useful insights into the value that different financial professionals offer.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: This Is How You Could Be Leaving Six Figures in Social Security on the TableClaiming Social Security is about more than filing paperwork and expecting a check. When you do it and how you do it have huge financial implications that last the rest of your life.
-
The Big Pause: Why Are So Many Americans Afraid to Retire?While new research sheds light on Americans' growing reluctance to quit work in later life, can anything be done to help those with the retirement jitters?
-
Five Under-the-Radar Shifts Investors and Job Seekers Can't Afford to Ignore Under the OBBBBeyond the headlines: The new tax law's true impact for job seekers and investors lies in how it will transform industries and create opportunities in areas such as regional accounting, AI and outsourced business services.
-
I'm a Financial Professional: It's Time to Stop Planning Your Retirement Like It's 1995Today's retirement isn't the same as in your parents' day. You need to be prepared for a much longer time frame and make a plan with purpose in mind.
