NextGen Financial Services Program Financial services provides a critical service to millions of Americans. However, there are huge barriers to entry and success in the profession. If we want Americans to have better access to financial planning, more secure retirements, and a healthier financial future we need to attract a more diverse, inclusive, and driven group of young professionals to the profession. The issues. Retention: Firms struggle to retain and attract young up-and-comers. But if you take a half-step back and look at the talent pipeline...that's not surprising. Too many young professionals enter the industry with a sink-or-swim mindset. They lack community, mentorship, and coaching...all of which aid in retention. Access: If you do not come from wealth or a professional, career-focused family setting, you might not see the financial industry as a viable, attainable vocation. This lack of access creates yet another pipeline squeeze for the profession. Inclusion: Not only do we need to retain and attract the right talent, but we also need to ensure they feel seen and heard. Many professional jobs in financial services can be isolating and young professionals may feel they are outliers if they do not have a supportive built-in network.