Amplified Planning's 2025 Externship Breaks New Ground in Financial Planning Education

Strategic Insights -

Amplified Planning's 2025 Externship has set a new record with over 2,078 participants from around the globe, offering a unique 8-week virtual experience that provides real-world exposure to financial planning. The program's growth signals a growing interest in financial planning as a purpose-driven career, with 44% of externs having never seen a financial planning meeting before, and 83% being first-time participants. As the profession faces talent shortages and succession gaps, the 2025 Externship highlights the need for more transparent pathways, stronger mentorship, and inclusive hiring practices.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2025 Externship features new clients for externs to follow through the entire financial planning process, providing real-world exposure and hands-on experience.
  • The program provides access to industry-standard tools, such as eMoney, Morningstar Advisor Workstation, and EncorEstate Plans, which externs use to complete assignments and deliver practice plans.
  • The externs engage with over 60 expert speakers, including J.D. Bruce, Anna N'Jie-Konte, Louis Barajas, Jerry Cobb, Susan Bradley, and many others.
  • Notably, 44% of externs have never seen a financial planning meeting before, and 83% of 2025 externs are first-time participants.
  • The externs represent a diverse and mission-driven group, with 40.5% identifying as people of color, including 10% Black and 10% Asian.
  • 75% of externs hold bachelor's or master's degrees, and 15% have no college degree, indicating broader accessibility.
  • The externs cite deeply personal motivations for joining the profession, including helping people (90%), personal interest in personal finance (80%), and interest in starting their own firm.
  • Many externs face real barriers to entering this profession, including difficulties finding job opportunities that match their experience (39%), low pay or financial instability early in their careers (28%), and a lack of clear career paths (22%).

Statistics:

  • 2,078 participants in the 2025 Externship, marking the program's largest cohort ever.
  • 44% of externs have never seen a financial planning meeting before.
  • 83% of 2025 externs are first-time participants.
  • 40.5% of externs identify as people of color, including 10% Black and 10% Asian.
  • 75% of externs hold bachelor's or master's degrees.
  • 15% of externs have no college degree.

Sources:

  • "Amplified Planning's 2025 Externship Breaks New Ground in Financial Planning Education" (PRNewswire, June 25, 2025)
  • The Externship (Amplified Planning, 2025)
  • FinServ Foundation + FP Transitions Aspiring Advisor Survey (2025)