Graduating From College? Take These Steps to Launch Your Career

March 13, 2025 at 01:00 AM EDT

SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) With demand for financial advisors expected to grow quickly — at a rate of 13% through 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — those with college graduation on the horizon would be wise to consider this marketable profession.

The key to launching a successful financial advising career is becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional. Those with CFP^® certification are highly valued by employers and clients alike and can expect to have more career options and higher salaries. Here are the steps to take to gain this competitive edge and begin working in the field:

Get educated: CFP^® certification has a two-part education requirement. The first is attaining a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university. The second is completing comprehensive college-level coursework in personal financial planning areas such as investment planning, estate planning and psychology of financial planning. While many begin the certification process after graduating college, you can get a head start by working toward this goal while you’re still enrolled in school.

Take the exam: After you’ve completed the education requirement for CFP^® certification, you’ll need to prove your skills by passing the CFP^® exam. These exams are offered three times a year, and test preparation resources, such as practice exams, are available online to help ensure your success.

Gain experience: There is no substitute for real-world experience. That’s why CFP^® certification requires 6,000 hours of professional experience related to the financial planning process or 4,000 hours of apprenticeship experience. These hours can be gained before or after completing the exam.

Commit to ethical standards: All CFP^® professionals commit to CFP Board to act in the best interests of their clients at all times when providing financial advice. They do so by completing an ethics declaration and agreement and by passing fitness standards and a background check.

Choose a path: Financial planning is not a one-track career. You can work at a large firm or be your own boss. You can specialize in a particular area of financial planning, provide holistic advice or even offer a financial services firm auxiliary support, such as in technology or marketing. Visit CFP Board’s Career Center to find a mentor, get information about career fairs and search for open positions suited to your skills and interests.

Market yourself: Ninety percent of consumers see an advisor’s certifications as important, so put your best foot forward by heralding your credentials. Display your CFP^® marks on your LinkedIn profile and on other networking sites. Also, be sure to create a public profile on CFP Board’s consumer site, LetsMakeAPlan.org, so that potential clients can find you.

Keep learning: Be sure to keep your continuing education requirements up to date so that you can continually serve your clients to the best of your ability and maintain your certification.

To learn more and to get started today, visit cfp.net.

Financial planning is a lucrative career path offering room for growth, independence and the opportunity to give back. As you envision your post-college future, consider taking steps to launch a career in this rewarding industry.

Photo Credit: (c) Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock via Getty Images Plus

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Graduating From College? Take These Steps to Launch Your Career

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