A sample survey by the CFA Institute found that over 70 per cent of graduates surveyed believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will make it harder to secure their desired jobs.
At the same time, 92 per cent said that gaining proficiency in AI or automation tools would enhance their career prospects.
The CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, on Thursday, released Global Graduate Outlook Survey 2025, capturing insights from over 9,000 fresh graduates, including 1,250 from India on career trends, confidence levels and sector preferences among others.
According to the report, Indian graduates are more likely than the global average to think that AI or automation tools will make it more difficult to secure the jobs they want.
While more than 50 per cent are confident that they will be able to use AI effectively, 56 per cent feel that having AI skills will give them an edge in the job market, apart from having relevant soft skills.
Interest in AI careers has also seen a steady rise, growing from 59 per cent in 2024 to 63 per cent this year. “This reflects a decisive pivot towards more future-aligned fields, driven by both awareness and adaptability,” emphasized the CFA report.
Arati Porwal, Senior Country Head, CFA Institute, India, said, “For this generation, AI is no longer just an option. And they are aware of how imperative it is for professional growth and are looking forward to gaining relevant skills.”
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The report reiterated that consecutively for three years, the finance sector continues to remain at the top of the list of career preferences among graduates, with 38 per cent expressing the most confidence in this sector, followed by IT (32 per cent) and education (21 per cent).
The preference order of sectors remains exactly the same as that of last year’s report.
But the finance sector has noted a significant jump to 38 per cent feeling more confident about career prospects in this sector than 30 per cent last year.
For those confident about the finance sector for promising careers, 23 per cent graduates consider it to be a stable and attractive career option, whereas 26 percent of graduates find it the most valuable sector to make a career.
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Dr Archana Singh, Professor from D Y Patil University, who was present for the launch of the report in Mumbai, said, “The finance sector is evolving with time. In this new version, focus is on tech-enabled finance with use of technologies such as generative AI, blockchain etc. making it imperative for students to get relevant training for this evolving sector.”
Notably, the majority of graduates (40 pe rcent) responded that they seek a job immediately after graduation.
Whereas 68 per cent believe certifications offer better career progression than a postgraduate degree, reflecting a clear shift toward flexible, outcome-driven learning over higher education.
The report stated that 85 per cent of Indian graduates say certifications have directly improved their employability or earnings.
“The insights clearly show a generation that is not only confident but also deliberate in the way they approach career growth,” added Porwal.