Upskilling Opportunities Ranked Most Valuable for Students Seeking Resume Edge, According to Survey of Recent Grads

NEW YORK, September 16, 2024 – As students return to campus, upskilling and opportunities to futureproof their careers are top of mind, including training on AI and automation. A study from CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, found that 62 percent of American students and recent graduates ranked practical skills as the number-one attribute to gain an edge in today’s job market. The 2024 Global Graduate Outlook Survey gleans insights from students and recent graduates to inform current students as they embark on the 2024-25 academic year.

Students and new graduates also agreed that a competitive edge on their resume is required in today’s job market. The majority (82 percent) of American graduates found that pursuing post-graduate certifications and qualifications will help them land higher earnings. Further, 94 percent say upskilling or acquiring certifications are important, and 69 percent say certifications will have a large impact on their earnings prospects, job fulfillment, and opportunities.

As today’s students prepare for their careers, they are eager to embrace the power of AI. The data revealed that nearly half of American graduates (45 percent) believe that AI and automation will be important to career success, and 86 percent said that knowing how to use these tools will benefit their career prospects.

For those pursuing careers in finance, which graduates around the globe ranked as the industry with the best career prospects in today’s economic climate, emerging technologies are especially top of mind. The survey found that of those who studied finance, 76 percent say that AI and automation are important to the success of their careers, and the vast majority (97 percent) agree that knowing how to use these tools will benefit them.

“As graduates today seek professions that not only promise stability but also resonate with their desires to make a tangible difference, finance emerges as an industry of opportunity. Our research shows that careers in finance offer the assurance of stability and provide a platform for graduates to contemplate a more impactful future,” said Margaret Franklin, CFA, President and CEO, CFA Institute. “With a new focus on sustainable investment strategies, and the possibilities for AI to enhance investment workflows, graduates have an opportunity to help shape a more innovative industry through a career in finance.”

Within the financial industry, the future looks bright with opportunities in investing-related roles, accounting, risk, client management, and more. Recent and new innovations such as AI, machine learning, and blockchain development have increased the need for a broader range of roles, such as data experts and programming. To explore the wide range of career paths and credentialing programs for finance, visit: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa/charterholder-careers.

Notes to Editors:

The 2024 CFA Institute Graduate Outlook Survey was fielded via an online survey from March 19-April 8, 2024, by Dynata with a sample of 9,916 respondents studying for a bachelor’s degree or higher, or who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree or higher within the last three years aged 18-25. Respondents were from the UK, US, Canada, India, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, UAE, Germany, Spain, France, Brazil, Mexico, and China.

About CFA Institute

As the global association of investment professionals, CFA Institute sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. We champion ethical behavior in investment markets and serve as the leading source of learning and research for the investment industry. We believe in fostering an environment where investors’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. With more than 200,000 charterholders worldwide across 160 markets, CFA Institute has 10 offices and 160 local societies. Find us at www.cfainstitute.org or follow us on LinkedIn and X at @CFAInstitute.

###

For further information please contact pr@cfainstitute.org