As the finance industry continues to shine as a promising career path, it finds itself at the forefront of attracting the next generation of financial leaders. According to the CFA Institute’s 2025 Graduate Outlook Survey, interest in finance careers is climbing significantly. In 2025, 37% of respondents identified finance as the most promising career path, a notable rise from 30% in 2024 and 24% in 2023. This global survey, which included over 9,000 participants aged 18-25 pursuing or having recently completed a bachelor’s degree or higher, underscores an upward trend for the sector.
Salary is the primary motivator for graduates, with 58% citing it as their top career driver. However, flexibility and favorable working arrangements are also critical, with 49% indicating these factors are important in job consideration. Margaret Franklin, president and CEO of the CFA Institute, emphasizes the privilege the finance industry holds and cautions employers to heed the priorities of new career entrants to retain top talent.
Today’s graduates seek work that is meaningful and impactful. The survey highlights that 90% of U.S. graduates aim to make a positive societal contribution through their careers. Finance, with its potential for financial planning and societal impact, can fulfill these aspirations. Companies are encouraged to emphasize this message during recruitment drives.
Embracing technology, particularly AI, is another crucial factor in attracting top talent. The survey reveals that 66% of U.S. graduates show interest in roles offering AI training. Margaret Franklin notes that graduates are eager to expand their AI skills, and companies investing in AI training programs and fostering technological innovation will be well-positioned to attract ambitious professionals.
In related developments, the finance industry is seeing notable leadership changes. Marc D. Graff has been appointed SVP and CFO of Ciena Corporation, bringing nearly 30 years of experience from Altera Corporation and Intel. Similarly, Tim Karaca has been promoted to SVP and CFO of SolarWinds, leveraging his extensive experience in the technology industry.
On a broader economic scale, Grant Thornton’s CFO survey for Q2 2025 indicates a rise in pessimism about the U.S. economy. Finance leaders are deploying strategies to safeguard their businesses, with 46% adjusting supply chains and others implementing technology to reduce costs or raising prices.
The Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady, with projections for two rate cuts in 2025, reflects ongoing uncertainty about the economic outlook, though Fed Chair Jerome Powell highlights the economy’s continued strength.
In the realm of digital finance, JPMorgan Chase’s announcement of piloting a new digital currency, JPMD, in collaboration with Coinbase marks a significant development. This initiative aims to bring institutional money into a more global economy through a deposit token managed with blockchain technology.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://fortune.com/2025/06/19/new-grads-flocking-finance-careers-cfo-employers-top-talent/. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.