Today, some of the coolest most sought-after tech jobs aren't in tech companies at all. They're actually in banks. The market for tech talent is more measured than a few years ago, and tech companies aren't exactly rolling out the red carpet for new hires like they used to. But big banks say they are still aggressively hiring. And talent is flocking to the sector, which can offer new hires the chance to file patents and work under researchers plucked from top academic departments. Job stability and the social cachet that comes with saying you work at JPMorganChase Chase don’t hurt either. Technology companies are still biggest employers of recent tech graduates, but finance is creeping closer. Cornell University said that 22% of its 2023 computer science graduates went into financial services, up from 16% in 2022. I spoke to Christine Tu, a distinguished engineer at Morgan Stanley and the head of AI and machine learning in its wealth management technology division, who told me that students are now lining up out the door at recruitment events. That wasn’t happening a few years ago, she added. What are your thoughts? Will landing a job at a bank ever really be cooler than working at Google or NVIDIA?
Mo' Ajani
1w
Brilliant insights, Isabelle Bousquette! The shift in tech talent gravitating toward finance underscores how industries are redefining what it means to be "cool" in tech. Banks are no longer just financial institutions; they’re transforming into innovation hubs, blending AI, machine learning, and cutting-edge technology to solve complex, real-world problems. What’s fascinating is the unique appeal: the stability and prestige of working for institutions like JPMorgan, alongside opportunities to file patents and shape the future of wealth management. For some, this mix of intellectual challenge and security now rivals Silicon Valley's culture of disruption. However, could this movement be just a rumble in the bird's nest? As the tech industry stabilizes, will talent ultimately return to its original home? The financial industry can certainly enjoy this migration while it lasts—but how long can they keep the allure alive?
> Will landing a job at a bank ever really be cooler than working at Google or NVIDIA? The only way to definitive answer that question is to ask 100 people who had offers at Nvidia / Google and JPM / Bank of America which one they took. I do not think the responses will be a surprise.
Kay van Dunk
1w
Maybe tech grads can bring the banking sector up to modernity with user interaction and interface. I think it would require a shift in industry-wide norms but better now than never
ah, yes, financial services, where recurring layoff's, whether in small pockets or en masse are a quarterly event.
Bonnie So
1w
It’s interesting that banks are redefining what it means to have a career in technology. The opportunity to tackle complex, high-impact challenges - like designing AI-driven systems or enhancing global financial stability - offers a unique blend of purpose and innovation. Add to that the scale, job security, and a culture that values long-term career growth, and it’s no wonder talent is increasingly drawn to financial services. It’s not just about being “cool”; it’s about building something that truly matters.
Jay Malcolm
1w
Technological disruption in the banking sector has started and will happen meaningfully much faster than many expect. My kids (ages 19-25) have rarely been inside a branch, which won't reverse in the next decades of their lives. So brick & mortar isn't needed for the future of financial services. That will be the biggest outward change. Behind the scenes, AI will 1) make faster and more accurate consumer lending decisions, 2) transform customer service, 3) provide more targeted marketing campaigns, etc. It makes sense that more great tech minds will flow into this space.
Daryl K.
1w
Historically the bulk of “tech” jobs were never directly in tech. Banking and finance, retail, transportation, and plenty of other sectors were the backbone of the average IT career for decades.
I am not sure if I can mentally couple an industry that supports paper checks with “tech”. I also think that an industry that creates (Intel, Nvidia, Apple and others) will be more rewarding for future tech workers. Working in semiconductor capital equipment for 30 years - and it never gets boring!
Ron McLeod
1w
It even has a broader name, Fintech. IMHO, the best IT jobs for decades although, the bottom 25% of performers need to keep their resumes polished and maybe strategically bounce around a little and find a good fit to thrive.
CTO at Caloyannides Consulting, LLC
1wWho cares what the "coolest job" is? The person who dedicated 4-10 hard years studying science or engineering (or medicine or whatever) did so because that person presumably liked that field with a passion, not merely to be "cool". If he/she did not like that science or technology field and went into it just to be "cool" or rich, that person will be a lousy scientist or engineer or whatever.