Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Stamford, CT USA — Although workers in most industries are worried about having their jobs replaced by technology, the vast majority of financial  professionals  in capital markets say technology has actually enhanced their careers. 

About 4 out of 5 capital markets professionals globally say technology innovation has opened new opportunities for them, and roughly half say innovation has accelerated their career growth. 

Only 15% of capital markets professionals are concerned about technology replacing their jobs. “The technology story to date is primarily one of opportunity and positive change, with automation helping more than hurting the day-to-day lives of most in the market,” says Kevin McPartland, Head of Research in Greenwich Associates Market Structure and Technology group and author of The Future of Trading: The People. 

Optimism About Tech Includes Gen X and Baby Boomers
The new report examines the impact of technology on the people in capital markets and found an optimism that spans generations on the trading desk. While the millennial generation are the most enthusiastic about the positive effect of technology, Gen Xers and even baby boomers say innovation has provided a boost to their career progression. 

However, in most cases, that progression did not occur in a straight line. To the contrary, more than 60% of Gen X respondents — most of whom are in the prime years of their career— say technology reshaped their career in unexpected ways. People whose only goal in college was to become a trader have found themselves now as fintech founders. Others who went to engineering and technical schools and hoped to build microchips and airplanes have found themselves taken in by the excitement of Wall Street.

“At a time when automation is expanding in nearly every facet of the trading process, accepting the changing nature of work is key to all who hope to move their career forward,” says Kevin McPartland.