New graduates are coming together to fund their careers. Here’s how employers can acquire the best talent
good morning. As more graduates see it as a promising career path, companies have unique opportunities to attract the next generation of CFOs.
According to CFA Institute’s 2025 Graduate School Outlook Surveythere is growing interest in financial careers. This year, 37% of respondents surveyed designated finance as their most promising career path. This is a marked increase from 30% in 2024, and only 24% in 2023. The global survey highlights clear upward trends in the industry, including over 9,000 participants aged 18 to 25 and older pursuing or recent completion of a bachelor’s degree.
Meanwhile, pay is the top motivation for graduates, with 58% citing as the leading career driver. However, flexibility and favourable work arrangements are also highly appreciated, with 49% saying these factors are important when considering job openings.
“This position of privilege in the financial industry should not be taken for granted,” said Margaret Franklin, president and CEO of CFA Institute. “Employers must listen to the priorities of new career entrants and make the necessary adjustments to attract and retain the best talent.”
Franklin emphasizes that today’s alumni also want meaningful work. The survey shows that 90% of US graduates want to have a social impact throughout their careers. Finance can actually be included in that scenario. Think about your financial plan. “We need to lean more towards this message, especially during recruitment,” she said.
Adopting technology is another key to attracting top alumni. The survey found that 66% of US graduates are interested in the role of providing AI training.
Franklin hopes today’s alumni and students want to expand their skillsets around AI. Companies investing in robust AI training programs and fostering an environment that embraces technological innovation, are best positioned to attract ambitious young professionals, she said.
“Alumni don’t want to work for businesses that are left behind,” Franklin said.
Cheryl Estrada
sheryl.estrada@fortune.com
Leaderboard
Mark D. Grading He was appointed SVP and CFO of Ciena Corporation (NYSE: CIEN), networking systems, services and software provider August 1st. Graph has nearly 30 years of experience. He was previously SVP and CFO at Altera Corporation. Previously, Graff was CFO and Chief Operating Officer of Intel’s Data Center and Artificial Intelligence Group, previously serving other executive finance roles in various manufacturing and business units at Intel.
Tim Karaka Promoted to SVP and CFO SolarWindsA provider of IT management software that came into effect on June 16th. Karaca served for three years as the group VP of Strategic Finance and Investor Relations at SolarWinds. Before joining the company, he spent nearly 20 years serving in the technology industry and senior finance roles on Wall Street. His leadership experience spans senior roles at AIG, Microsoft, and Bridgewater Associates.
A big deal
The results of the Grant Thornton CFO survey for the second quarter of 2025 show a surge in pessimism about the US economy. However, finance leaders are actively implementing strategies to protect and place their businesses in the long term. According to the report.
Over three-quarters of finance leaders expect tariffs to increase inflation and prices. There is no strategy pursued by the majority of respondents to mitigate the impact of tariffs. The biggest answer was supply chain adjustments (46%).
However, many financial leaders have multiple coordinations.
—42% have high frequency proactive scenario planning
—39% implements technology to reduce costs
—35% increased the price
The findings are based on a survey of 260 financial leaders from organizations with revenues of over $100 million.
Go deep
“The Fed is stabilizing interest rates and forecasting two interest rate cuts in 2025.” a luck Report By Paolo Confino.
As expected, the Federal Reserve has stabilized interest rates and maintained forecasts for two cuts later this year. While some worry about the economy on a volatile ground, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell pointed out data showing continued strength, but uncertainty remains for what will happen next.
“Uncertainty about the economic outlook is declining, but remains rising,” he said, according to a Fed statement released after the meeting.
I’ve heard it
“This pilot will combine the reliability of both JPMorgan and bases to help bring institutional funds into a more global economy.”
– Jesse Polack, Vice President of Engineering at Crypto Exchange Coinbase, said in a statement that JPMorgan Chase will pilot a new digital currency called JPMD on Tuesday and partner with Coinbase to pilot a new digital currency called JPMD. luck It has been reported. As some people expected, JPMD, not Stablecoin, becomes a deposit token. This is a digital representation of bank deposits managed by blockchain technology.