This post is brought to you on behalf of the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning in support of the “I am a CFP® Pro” campaign. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of CFP Board and its Center for Financial Planning.
I get a lot of questions from career-focused, confused millennials. They usually go something like this:
“I have this degree and no idea what to do with it. I started working in this one industry, but hate it. I have no idea what to do with my life. SOS!”
Listen, I get it. I can't even tell you how many times I thought my career was heading in one direction, only for it to pull a complete 180. In the last few months, I've had the opportunity to chat with tons of women who are killing it in their careers, and no matter which industry they work in, they all need to have one thing: a strong grasp on financial literacy and planning. Which got me thinking, why aren't more women CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals?
5 Reasons Why Becoming a CFP® Pro is Your Next Career Move:
Bright Outlook
There’s a lot of room for growth in the financial planning profession. Currently, there are more CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals over the age of 70 than there are under the age of 30. In fact, nearly 20 percent of CFP® pros are approaching retirement. At the same time, more Americans are opting to work with financial planners, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a rate of job growth for financial advisors that is four times higher than the growth rate of other occupations! That's a double whammy!
It's Rewarding
Raise your hand if you want a rewarding career:
Okay, since all of us except Gretchen Weiner (but what doe she know), can agree on that, becoming a CFP® pro is probably your best next move! It literally meets all of the main criteria most millennials look for in a career:
– Good work-life balance ✅
– Financial compensation that will cover bills, pay down student debt, travel, and start planning for retirement ✅
– Helping others in a positive and meaningful way ✅
– Flexibility in schedule ✅
The best part: you can choose the type of work environment that will support your flexibility and work-life balance goals. While you may start off working at a larger company, you can move from a corporate environment to self-employment like Brittney Castro, CFP®, if that's what you desire. Both options will give you the opportunity to make a great living and positively impact others.
You don't need a finance or business degree
It's a common misconception that CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals have to study finance or business during undergrad. While a background in these subjects definitely help, you can actually become a CFP® pro with any bachelor's degree! The process of becoming a CFP® is an entirely different program which you can learn more about here. You see, being a CFP® pro is about more than just math – it's about looking at the “big picture” and using creative problem solving, relationship building, and communication skills to help their clients reach their goals.
Find your tribe
Growing up, each of us received different messages about money depending on our culture, socio-economic status, region, and race. Unless you're an upper-middle class white man over the age of 35, you probably haven't found your tribe when it comes to discussing finances. You haven't found that person who can really dig in and help you see your big picture and understand it. Why? Right now, women make up just 23 percent of current CFP® professionals and people of color are even less represented. So why not build a client base you feel connected with and become that person for others?
[RELATED] I Am A CFP Pro – Here Stories of Women and Minorities Who Are Working As CFP's
An education that will always serve you
The idea of a “forever” career can feel a little scary. Most millennials will have multiple careers in their lifetime, but it's important to think about the long-term value of the career and educational choices you make. Becoming a CFP means you can serve others, but it also means you can serve yourself by actively building your wealth and empowering other women to do the same. As a CFP® pro you'll gain an understanding of concepts that will continue to pay you back in dividends, contribute to your financial health, and empower you and your clients to truly be in control of your financial lives.
