Latest news with #jobprospects
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Why some Chinese students are skipping elite universities amid job market fears
After underperforming in China's national college entrance exam in June, Lu Jie was accepted into a computer science and technology programme earlier this month at a lesser-known polytechnic university in central China's Hunan province. 'Good schools had too many applicants for this major, so I had to choose a lower-ranked one to pursue it,' Lu said. The results for the exam, better known as the gaokao , have been released over the past two weeks – marking a life-changing moment for students like Lu. Now more than ever, students are opting for majors with strong job prospects over prestigious universities. A focus on immediate employability and job security is eclipsing long-term aspirations and personal interests. Driving this trend is a growing oversupply of college graduates , intensifying competition in the job market amid a challenging economic climate. Computer science has long been a highly popular major, Lu said, but the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) – widely expected to create new job opportunities – has fuelled even greater demand over the past couple of years.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
These top 5 college degrees make young Americans the most money — earning some 326% returns after just 5 years
The value of a college degree is a hot topic right now, but many people overlook a key detail: the field of study. Graduates who majored in social sciences, foreign languages or performing arts face weaker job prospects and lower earning potential after leaving college, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Meanwhile, students who pick up skills in fast-growing, high-paying industries can recoup their investment in just a few years. Student Choice analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate the return on investment (ROI) for various fields. The findings show that some degrees can pay back as much as 326.6% of the total cost of their degree within five years of graduation. Here are the top five degrees that offer the best bang for your tuition buck. Engineering faces a severe and growing talent shortage, according to analysis by BCG. In 2023 alone, one-third of newly created engineering roles went unfilled due to a lack of qualified graduates. That shortage is expected to continue. BCG estimates engineering jobs could grow another 13% between 2023 and 2031. This high demand helps explain why engineers command strong salaries and deliver a whopping 326.6% return on investment within five years of earning their degree. Despite fears that AI might replace coders and developers, the rise of new technologies is actually driving up demand for skilled talent. A 2025 survey from staffing firm Robert Half found that 87% of technology leaders struggle to hire qualified professionals, while 76% reported a skills gap in their own departments. In-demand specialties include AI, automation, cybersecurity, and cloud operations. A graduate in computer science or IT can expect to earn back 310.3% of their education costs within five years, according to Student Choice. Read more: Americans are 'revenge saving' to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. There's a global shortage of nurses. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) estimates the current shortfall at 5.9 million nurses and warns that aging populations and underfunded health systems could make it worse. As a result, nursing has become a lucrative career choice. Graduates can expect to see a 280.9% return on their investment within five years of entering the workforce. The accounting profession is graying. According to the CPA Journal, the average age of an accounting firm partner is between 52 and 53. At the same time, the pipeline of new talent is shrinking. From 2017 to 2022, the number of accounting graduates dropped by 11%, according to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In other words, fewer accountants are entering the field, which makes the job both rarer and more valuable. New graduates can expect a 261.3% return on their degree within five years. Job opportunities for biochemists and biophysicists are projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's more than double the average job growth rate of 4% across all occupations. That strong demand translates to solid earnings potential. Recent graduates can recoup 248.2% of their college investment within five years, according to Student Choice. If you're looking for a degree with robust job security and solid financial returns, these five fields are worth serious consideration. This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Here are the 6 levels of wealth for retirement-age Americans — are you near the top or bottom of the pyramid? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Money doesn't have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
These top 5 college degrees make young Americans the most money — earning some 326% returns after just 5 years
The value of a college degree is a hot topic right now, but many people overlook a key detail: the field of study. Graduates who majored in social sciences, foreign languages or performing arts face weaker job prospects and lower earning potential after leaving college, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Meanwhile, students who pick up skills in fast-growing, high-paying industries can recoup their investment in just a few years. Student Choice analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate the return on investment (ROI) for various fields. The findings show that some degrees can pay back as much as 326.6% of the total cost of their degree within five years of graduation. Here are the top five degrees that offer the best bang for your tuition buck. Engineering faces a severe and growing talent shortage, according to analysis by BCG. In 2023 alone, one-third of newly created engineering roles went unfilled due to a lack of qualified graduates. That shortage is expected to continue. BCG estimates engineering jobs could grow another 13% between 2023 and 2031. This high demand helps explain why engineers command strong salaries and deliver a whopping 326.6% return on investment within five years of earning their degree. Despite fears that AI might replace coders and developers, the rise of new technologies is actually driving up demand for skilled talent. A 2025 survey from staffing firm Robert Half found that 87% of technology leaders struggle to hire qualified professionals, while 76% reported a skills gap in their own departments. In-demand specialties include AI, automation, cybersecurity, and cloud operations. A graduate in computer science or IT can expect to earn back 310.3% of their education costs within five years, according to Student Choice. Read more: Americans are 'revenge saving' to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. There's a global shortage of nurses. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) estimates the current shortfall at 5.9 million nurses and warns that aging populations and underfunded health systems could make it worse. As a result, nursing has become a lucrative career choice. Graduates can expect to see a 280.9% return on their investment within five years of entering the workforce. The accounting profession is graying. According to the CPA Journal, the average age of an accounting firm partner is between 52 and 53. At the same time, the pipeline of new talent is shrinking. From 2017 to 2022, the number of accounting graduates dropped by 11%, according to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In other words, fewer accountants are entering the field, which makes the job both rarer and more valuable. New graduates can expect a 261.3% return on their degree within five years. Job opportunities for biochemists and biophysicists are projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's more than double the average job growth rate of 4% across all occupations. That strong demand translates to solid earnings potential. Recent graduates can recoup 248.2% of their college investment within five years, according to Student Choice. If you're looking for a degree with robust job security and solid financial returns, these five fields are worth serious consideration. This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Here are the 6 levels of wealth for retirement-age Americans — are you near the top or bottom of the pyramid? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Money doesn't have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
Bloomberg
07-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Canadians' Job Security Gets Shakier as Trade War Harms Growth
Canadians are becoming less optimistic about their job prospects as the economy struggles to find momentum. The percentage of Canadians who believe their jobs are 'secure' or 'somewhat secure' has fallen below 60% for the first time in more than a year, according to polling for Bloomberg News by Nanos Research. About 30% say they're unsure, the biggest proportion since 2023.
Globe and Mail
27-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
How new grads should be approaching AI as they seek careers in finance
School's out, grads are looking for jobs, and there aren't many to be had. So, why are young job-seekers optimistic about their prospects in finance? According to the CFA Institute's global graduate outlook survey, 40 per cent of Canadian university students and recent grads ranked finance as the sector in which they have the most confidence, beating the next closest sector – STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) – by 20 percentage points. What gives? Michael Thom, managing director of CFA Societies Canada, says the financial sector may offer better prospects for young professionals with artificial intelligence skills they're ready to use in the workplace. Most students (87 per cent) surveyed expressed confidence in their AI literacy, and 35 per cent believed their AI skills would boost their job prospects more than traditional skills, such as speaking another language, at 23 per cent. Still, almost three-quarters feared AI could hurt their careers and make it harder to get a job. We spoke with Mr. Thom about the survey and what's most important for those entering careers in finance. New grads like the financial industry right now. How come? I wish I had [more] explanatory variables. If you look at some of the questions around secular challenges, there's a pathway in which finance is enabled by AI and able to adapt to the challenge of AI, and it's not entirely disrupted and made obsolete. Unfortunately, it's a dire market for new grads, and AI may be contributing with entry-level jobs being eliminated. How should grads be looking at that in terms of financial jobs in Canada? The younger cohort is definitely affected inordinately by the employment weakness we're seeing in the broader Canadian economy right now, and that's a point of concern. I'd want to look at what the data points are on financial services on a sectoral basis, but it's in the data that new grads are positive, and I think financial services is going to be relatively resilient in this cycle. And that's cause for optimism. What new skills should people entering finance be acquiring or developing? That's been a big topic of conversation. AI literacy is something that probably a certain number of the new grad cohort take for granted, but it's really important to turn whatever implicit literacy you have into applicable skills in the workplace. So, arming yourself with understanding AI, and generative AI in particular, [as well as] broader trends around data usage and data wrangling … and synthesizing that into parts of your job. There's reason to think about AI as an enabler rather than a replacer, at least at this stage. What are some of the ways entry-level jobs in the financial sector are changing as AI is adopted? Some of the pieces of relatively low value-add work around rote commentary and content production – tasks junior staff would have cut their teeth on just as a learning exercise. That's compressing, to some degree, where there are pieces in that value chain that generative AI is quite competent at if prompted properly, fed the right information properly, and constrained from a hallucination perspective properly. And then it allows you to scale the outputs really interestingly. UBS has deployed AI personas of some of their analysts to answer questions on the basis of their published research, allowing them to stretch further from both an internal and an external client resourcing perspective. That's really interesting as a not-so-remote application. That's enablement as opposed to replacement, and allowing highly trained investment professionals at various levels of their career development to be in more places at once, which is exciting. In terms of replacement, is there any risk that if firms aren't needing to hire as many entry-level positions – whether it's analysts or advisor assistants – that you lose out on the talent chain and it's tougher to have that pipeline, especially on the advisor side, as the industry ages? It's a risk, but you really have to look at this on a sector-relative basis. AI allows new hires to get to more value-added work more quickly, and take away some of those low value-added tasks. So, from a progress perspective, there's more progress expected more quickly from staff to provide value around tasks that AI can't do reliably, better and more quickly. Again, that's exciting from a career development perspective. Does it have net negative effects on the number of people you need to hire? Maybe, but I'm not convinced by anything I've seen yet that it's affecting finance more than elsewhere. If anything, it might be the inverse. Is there anything else you want to say on this? There's still this view in some quarters that this is a hype cycle: 'I don't believe this is real yet, and I don't think this justifies changing my skill set and how I do my job.' And that might be ill-founded. AI does deserve everyone's attention. Whether you're late career, mid career, or early career, you're probably going to want to approach it in different ways, but it's worth everyone's attention. - This interview has been edited and condensed. Insurance changes: Danielle Kanengoni, the president of Allan Financial in Vancouver, has had her licence to work as a life insurance advisor in British Columbia for more than a decade. But in Quebec, the mid-career professional still had to be supervised by another advisor for three months this spring to obtain her licence in that province. It's one example of the friction life insurance advisors say exists for those who want to work with clients in multiple provinces. Tax changes: Bill C-4, the Liberal government's legislation to reduce the tax rate for the lowest federal tax bracket, is still making its way through Parliament. While this change will result in tax savings for many Canadians, not everyone will receive the same benefit. In some situations, this change could increase taxes payable, writes Aaron Hector. Advice changes: CIRO is looking at allowing order-execution-only dealers to provide non-tailored advice to clients to address the growth of the do-it-yourself investment landscape. What would this mean for investors? Kelsey Rolfe reports. A big retirement: The formula for success in personal finance is just this: Spend less than you make, keep debt manageable and save and invest regularly, writes Rob Carrick. In his final column as The Globe and Mail's personal finance columnist, Mr. Carrick offers solutions to some of the challenges people face in managing their money. Two big mistakes: The founders of Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. never wanted to sell the business they built over 35 years to a bank. But management made two strategic mistakes that cost the firm its independence, leading to its $625-million sale to BMO, writes Andrew Willis, offering lessons in succession to any entrepreneur-owned businesses. A big scam: Last week, Bank of Montreal chief investment strategist Brian Belski became the latest finance heavyweight to warn his social media followers about imposters posing as him to scam investors. While scams impersonating celebrities and politicians have proliferated for years, fraud targeting investors through fake advice from big names in finance is now multiplying, with the real experts struggling to get the content taken down.
