Why finance still offers valuable career lessons in the AI age – Generate Wealth Weekly

If one of my children came to me tomorrow and said they wanted a career in finance, I’d be delighted.

That’s not because finance pays well. It’s because I think finance will remain one of the best places to learn how the world really works, despite everything AI is changing.

Finance teaches lessons that are becoming increasingly valuable in almost any career: how to make decisions in a fast-changing world, how to stay calm under pressure, how to admit when you’re wrong, and perhaps most importantly, how to earn people’s trust.

After nearly 30 years in the industry – including the last 14 years helping build Generate – those are the things I’ve come to value most.

The pace of AI’s development has made career planning much harder than it was even a few years ago. Jobs that once looked almost bulletproof suddenly seem vulnerable.

Junior lawyers, software developers and many other knowledge workers are discovering that AI can already perform parts of their jobs astonishingly well.

So where does finance fit into this new world? My view is that while AI will transform finance, it won’t replace high-quality finance professionals.

That’s because finance isn’t really about spreadsheets or financial models. They’re important, but they’re just tools.

At its heart, finance is a trust business. When markets are booming, almost anyone can look smart. But when markets fall sharply and people are worried about their retirement savings, they don’t want to hear from an algorithm.

They want someone they trust to explain what’s happening, what they’re doing about it and why the client should stay the course. Even though we’re embedding AI throughout our business, including alongside our investment team, that human element isn’t disappearing any time soon.

One of the things I’ve always loved about finance is that you never stop learning. Every week brings a new company, industry, technology, economic surprise or geopolitical event to understand.

Just when you think you’ve seen everything, markets find a new way to humble you. And they are remarkably effective at keeping egos in check.

I’ve met some extraordinarily talented people during my career and have made lifelong friends in the industry.

I’ve also met a few people whose confidence comfortably exceeded their ability. Fortunately, markets tend to have an uncanny ability to sort that out eventually.

People often assume finance is mainly about numbers. I think it’s much more about people. Share prices don’t move because spreadsheets get excited.

They move because thousands of people make decisions driven by optimism, fear, greed, uncertainty and occasionally outright panic. Understanding human behaviour is every bit as important as understanding financial statements.

The most rewarding part of my career has been helping New Zealanders build their retirement savings.

Very few careers involve complete strangers trusting you and your team with a meaningful part of their financial future. That’s both a privilege and a responsibility we’ll never take lightly.

So there’s plenty to be bullish about regarding a career in finance. However, it isn’t for everyone. It can be stressful and the hours can be long, particularly in the earlier stages of one’s career.

I can certainly vouch for that. When we founded Generate 13 years ago, I had very little grey hair. Today there’s a lot of salt and not much pepper. Just how my business partner has managed to keep a head of completely black hair remains one of the great unsolved mysteries of finance.

When investment decisions work out, it can be hugely satisfying. When they don’t, markets have a habit of reminding you that certainty is an illusion. One of the biggest lessons finance teaches is that you can make a well-researched, sensible decision and still get the wrong outcome. Learning to live with uncertainty is an invaluable life skill.

Finance is also highly competitive. You need to keep learning because the industry never stands still. Regulation evolves, technology evolves, markets evolve – and if you’re standing still, you’re probably falling behind. That’s one of the reasons I actually like the industry. There is never a dull moment and it rewards curiosity.

The people who thrive aren’t necessarily the smartest in the room. They’re often the ones who keep asking questions, keep adapting and remain humble enough to know they don’t have all the answers.

So would I encourage a child of mine to work in finance? Yes – with one important qualification. I’d encourage them only if they were interested in helping people rather than simply making money.

The finance industry certainly offers excellent career opportunities, but I don’t think that’s its greatest attraction. The best finance professionals improve people’s lives. They help families buy homes, businesses grow, charities invest wisely and New Zealanders retire with dignity. That’s work worth doing.

AI will undoubtedly change how finance operates over the coming decade. Some jobs will disappear, many will evolve and entirely new roles will emerge. But I suspect the qualities that matter most – judgment and integrity – will become even more valuable.

If one of my children chooses a career in finance, I won’t be hoping they become the smartest nor wealthiest person in the room. I’ll be hoping they become one of the most trusted.

Generate is a New Zealand-owned KiwiSaver and Managed Fund provider managing over $10 billion on behalf of more than 195,000 New Zealanders.

This article is intended for general information only and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed are those of the author. All investments carry risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

To see Generate’s Financial Advice Provider Disclosure Statement or Product Disclosure Statement, go to www.generatewealth.co.nz/advertising-disclosures/. The issuer is Generate Investment Management Limited.