Financial planning may be the right career for you if you are looking for a fulfilling career with potential growth and the satisfaction of helping others. There are many career options in this profession. You can work for yourself or at large firms helping people and families plan for the future and meet their financial goals.
Diverse candidates have more opportunities than ever to succeed in the financial services industry. Many firms that hire financial advisors have developed robust programs to encourage diversity in their workforce and to reduce entry barriers. These initiatives have not slowed down as the demand for financial advice is growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an additional 11,600 advisors needed by 2029.
Diverse graduates can join the field to ensure that the workforce is more representative and helps reach diverse communities. Monique Jones, a North Carolina State University student, says these factors were crucial in her decision to enter the financial planning field. “I aspire to aid in improving the accessibility of the portfolio of services offered by the industry to underserved and under-sought communities,”She says.
Those interested in pursuing the profession can further distinguish themselves with potential employers by becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional, also known as a CFP® professional. CFP® professionals must meet rigorous education, experience, and ethical qualifications, and employers are increasingly seeking out the certification as the most desired credential in the financial planning field.
What’s more, 83% of today’s CFP® professionals say they have a competitive edge over other financial advisors, while 86% report that certification has had a positive impact on their career satisfaction. William Ohakam, who received a 2019 Envestnet scholarship to help defray the cost of becoming a CFP® certificant, explains that “obtaining the CFP® certification will enable me to provide additional value and create a more in-depth wealth management experience for my clients.”
According to Yorri Berry, a 2020 Facet Wealth Scholar, becoming a CFP® professional means more than just a boost in the hiring process. “This investment will allow me to spend my career working to build equity so all clients and financially vulnerable communities have access to wealth,”Berry:
The financial planning profession is a great way to have a fulfilling career. If you’d like to learn more about opportunities in financial planning or CFP® certification and scholarship opportunities, visit www.cfp.net.
