Eighty-one percent of college graduates today are confident in their career prospects, and 76% rate their career prospect confidence as at least 7 on a 10-point scale, CFA Institute reported this week. These confidence levels are higher than those recorded in 2024 and 2023.
The findings are based on an online survey that Dynata fielded between March 28 and April 22 among 9,023 respondents in 11 key global markets, ages 18 to 25, who were studying for a bachelor’s degree or higher or had received one within the past three years.
The survey found that 67% of graduates think that artificial intelligence and automation will make it harder to secure their desired job, up from 61% last year, but 88% expressed confidence in their AI literacy. A third said they are actively seeking roles that provide AI training, and half said they would be interest in a job that provides it, but only if it directly applies to their role and they can learn at their own pace.
Today’s students strongly recognize AI skills as vital for career advancement. Forty percent believe that AI competencies will significantly enhance their job market prospects, outpacing traditional skills such as learning a foreign language.
Indeed, half of the respondents prioritize specialized skills such as quantitative and soft skills as the most critical factor for career advancement, compared with 34% who seek connections, 34% internships, and 26% each the prestige of their university or their academic grades.
Fifty-eight percent of graduates surveyed said salary was their primary career driver, although 49% also said they highly value flexibility and favorable working arrangements.
The survey findings emphasized important implications for financial service providers seeking to effectively engage with the next generation, specifically the continued importance of trust in financial guidance. Knowing that they can partner with someone who is trustworthy and puts their interests first would make graduates more inclined to work with a wealth manager, according to CFA Institute.
Ninety percent of graduates said they place their highest trust in human financial advisors for sound financial advice. At the same time, respondents showed substantial reliance on other resources:
Online financial education, 81%
Friends and family, 81%
AI assistants like ChatGPT, 71%
Robo-advisors, 67%
Social media influencers, 63%
Financial security remains paramount for graduates, the survey found, with 54% of respondents citing financial peace of mind as their primary motivation for wealth-building. However, 39% emphasized personal fulfillment and experiences as essential elements of wealth, highlighting that wealth transcends monetary value, CFA Institute said.
See the accompanying gallery for 10 industries in which graduates see the best career prospects, according to the CFA Institute.
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