Students entering the workforce have ranked a good salary as their highest priority when looking for a job, according to new research.
Leading fintech firm
CompareNI.com carried out a survey of 100 students to find out their expectations of the workplace and what they value most when job hunting.
Over a third (39%) placed money as the primary factor when looking at a prospective employer, with career progression ranking a close second (35%). Just 9% put flexibility as their top priority, while 8% are on the lookout for an employer with a strong culture.
Salary expectations are ambitious, with almost a quarter (23%) of students expecting to start their first job within £2,000 of the median full-time salary (£37,100) in Northern Ireland. This places graduate pay expectations close to mid-career professionals, rather than those just starting out.
While financial renumeration appears to be the top priority, it’s interesting to see 75% say they would be willing to sacrifice salary in exchange for a better work-life balance.
Over two-thirds (68%) of students feel positive about working from home, underlining how remote and hybrid models are now seen as a normal and a desirable part of working life for the next generation of talent.
A further 20% favour a split of two days at home and three days in the office, suggesting that flexibility – rather than full-time home working – is the ideal balance.
For many graduates, the biggest issue they face when entering the workplace is the lack of relevant jobs, with 25% believing there needs to be more career opportunities.
Shocking new findings by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) have shown a surge in the numbers of graduates who have obtained degrees which fail to match with the skills required by employers, leaving over 700,000 people across the UK with a university degree out of work and claiming benefits.
Northern Ireland is a thriving hub of innovation and expertise in the fintech sector, consistently ranking as one of the top destinations globally for inward investment.
As such, graduates are afforded a diverse range of opportunities in this thriving industry, with entry level pay in fintech estimated to be 60% higher than the average graduate starting salary.
Despite this, a staggering 76% of students admitted they have never considered a career in this lucrative field.
In a bid to support young people who are taking their first daunting steps into the fiercely competitive world of employment, CompareNI is encouraging students to explore the wide range of opportunities available within the rapidly growing fintech sector and enter their student scholarship.
The CompareNI Fintech Scholarship is designed to raise awareness of the vast career pathways available for graduates within the fintech sector in Northern Ireland.
The program, now in its sixth year, also provides much-needed financial support for students, and offers them a chance to take part in industry relevant work experience.
Ian Wilson, Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “Fintech is more than where technology and finance combine, it delivers smarter, safer and more efficient financial services.
“Northern Ireland is a well-established fintech hub and the sector has experienced a surge in expansion and innovation over recent years, with one in five people now employed across financial and tech services here.
“There has never been a better time for graduates to kick-start a career in this constantly evolving field, which has a reputation for highly competitive salaries and generous benefits packages.
“Despite this, the industry is facing a talent recruitment shortage, as the demand for skilled professionals far outstrips supply. This skills gap is one of the biggest barriers to long-term growth.
“That is why it is so important for fintech firms to understand what drives today’s graduates and what is it they prioritise most when starting out in their career.
"At a time when the competition for skilled, motivated workers is fiercer than ever, this knowledge will help employers to attract and retain the next generation of top talent.
“Fintech thrives on a diverse range of specialisms, meaning it can open doors for graduates who have studied a wide range of subjects. That is why I would encourage all students to enter our Fintech Scholarship program to find out more about what this flourishing sector has to offer.”
The application process for the Fintech Scholarship is a
short online form - the deadline for entries is April 30 2026.
The winner will receive a £1,000 bursary and will also have the chance to take part in industry related work experience at CompareNI – gaining vital sector experience to help support their recruitment efforts.
