Read Time
INDIANAPOLIS—July 15, 2020—Strada Education Network, a national social impact organization dedicated to forging pathways between education and employment, has released a new analysis of its weekly, nationally representative Public Viewpoint survey tracking the impact of the global pandemic on Americans’ lives, work, and education. This week’s analysis integrates additional data from the spring 2020 administration of the Strada-Gallup Education Consumer Survey, which is designed to better understand what motivates Americans to pursue education and training.
Taken together, the two surveys show that when it comes to education and training, one factor dominates for most American adults: career value. Almost two thirds (63 percent) of adults with postsecondary degrees or credentials in the Strada-Gallup Education Consumer Survey say that career—gaining the skills to be successful at work, to qualify for good jobs, and to advance—was an extremely important factor in deciding whether to pursue their highest level of education.
On the flip side, a lack of clear career value is the number one reason adults gave for not pursuing additional education. Among the adults who report they are not likely to seek additional education, 42 percent cite the absence of any career value as the main reason they are not interested. No other reason is close, with health or disability (19 percent) and time commitment (13 percent) coming a distant second and third.
“Three in five Americans consistently identify work outcomes as their main reason for pursuing education and training after high school. At the same time, however, large numbers question whether education and training will lead to career success, and half of adults question their own ability to succeed in postsecondary education,” said Dave Clayton, Senior Vice President at the Strada Center for Consumer Insights. “Educators, policymakers, and funders need to tackle Americans’ twin crises of confidence—both in the career value of education and in their ability to succeed. The economic fallout from the pandemic only makes this more urgent.”
Half of adults in the Public Viewpoint survey say that self-doubt would be a major impediment to their enrolling in postsecondary education, either because they fear they won’t be successful, have been out of school for too long, or a combination of the two. This lack of confidence ranks as the No. 2 challenge to enrollment, above cost (48 percent) and second only to logistics (55 percent). Among those who see logistics as a major barrier to pursuing additional education, time away from work, balancing school and work, and course availability rank as the top three concerns.
Additional findings from the Public Viewpoint survey and the Strada-Gallup survey include:
###
About Strada-Gallup Spring 2020 Education Consumer Survey
The Spring 2020 Strada-Gallup Education Consumer Survey is a survey of more than 10,000 U.S. adults fielded from March 30–May 28, 2020, that strives to give a voice to higher education consumers. The survey measures the opinions, experiences and expectations of prospective, current and former students. This survey builds on previous Strada-Gallup surveys, which have collected data from over 350,000 Amercians between 2016-2019.
About Public Viewpoint
To date, over 13,000 Americans have been surveyed for the Public Viewpoint. The Public Viewpoint is produced by Strada Education Network’s Center for Consumer Insights, a research team that studies the experiences and perceptions of American adults in order to inform the development of a more consumer-centered learning ecosystem. The Center for Consumer Insights provides the nation’s largest education consumer database, which includes more than 350,000 completed surveys about the education and work experiences of American adults. View the full Public Viewpoint findings at: https://www.stradaeducation.org/publicviewpoint/.
About Strada Education Network
Strada Education Network is a pioneering social impact organization dedicated to improving lives by forging clearer and more purposeful pathways between education and employment. Our approach combines innovative research, thought leadership, strategic philanthropy, mission-aligned investments and a network of affiliate organizations. Together, we work to create a new education-to-employment system that better serves the millions of Americans seeking to complete postsecondary education and training, gain clear value from those experiences, and build meaningful careers. Learn more at stradaeducation.org.
Combination to Create a Leading Labor Market Analytics Company
Strada Education Network’s latest survey finds that 32 percent of adults whose education plans were disrupted by COVID-19 are no longer enrolled or planning to enroll, up from 10 percent last spring
Strada Education Network’s latest Public Viewpoint research finds that fewer than 4 in 10 Black alumni and less than half of Latino alumni feel that it was worth taking out their student loans—but strong career support boosts their assessment.
Bill Hansen to Step Down After Eight Years Leading Nonprofit Social Impact Organization
University of Utah leader will drive Strada Education Network’s research, philanthropy, policy, and thought leadership on national stage.
Breaux, Jenkins and Olinger Join Governing Board; Coulis Selected as Board Chair for National Social Impact Organization Focused on Strengthening Education-to-Employment Pathways
Americans cited an unfair system for hiring and advancement, a lack of employer support for education or training, and insufficient skills or credentials as the top barriers to good jobs
Nearly two million college students (13 percent) at four-year institutions expect to delay their graduation because of COVID-19, and another 15 percent aren’t sure if they will.
Strada grant brings the number of JRF/Strada Scholars to 42; provides vital program support
Compared to a year ago, adults without degrees are 18 percentage points less likely to believe education and training will be worth the cost, and 25 percentage points less likely to believe it will get them a good job
Nearly four in 10 Americans say relevance is the No. 1 factor in choosing among education options, and when it comes to delivery mode, safety and convenience drive preferences for online-only education
Strada Center for Consumer Insights' weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that a majority of Americans prefer online-only or hybrid education options; Black Americans have the strongest interest in and perceptions of the value of online education among racial groups
New results from the Strada Center for Consumer Insights find that Americans’ decisions about pursuing postsecondary education are heavily influenced by career value, logistics, and self-confidence.
Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research to Collaborate with Strada Center for Consumer Insights
Strada Center for Consumer Insights' weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that workers who say they would switch careers are most interested in business, IT, and finance.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights' weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that 50 percent of Latinos and 42 percent of Black Americans have canceled or modified education plans.
Courtney Hills McBeth to coordinate national engagement efforts for social impact organization
Strada Center for Consumer Insights' weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that 65 percent of young Americans have either canceled their education plans, delayed enrollment, or made other substantial changes.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights’ weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that some Americans are already returning to work – and those with advanced degrees are far more likely to have found new employment
Strada Center for Consumer Insights analyzes its weekly survey of Americans on impact of COVID-19 by job field
Strada Center for Consumer Insights poll finds COVID-19 has disrupted Americans' education plans; thoughts about where they would enroll have shifted.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights poll finds while the majority of Americans have either lost jobs, hours, or income, the COVID-19 economic crisis is disproportionately impacting black and Latino Americans.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights survey finds most Americans remain concerned about the financial and health impacts of COVID-19, but 70 percent of adults believe effects of the crisis will last no longer than six months.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights weekly survey finds significant increases in Americans losing income and worried about their economic livelihood
Strada Center for Consumer Insights launches weekly nationally representative Public Viewpoint survey to track the impact of COVID-19 on individuals’ careers
Strada Education Network’s Lessons Earned launches March 4
January 22, 2020 – CHICAGO – McDonald’s today announced the launch of a new career exploration mobile application called Archways to Careers that will help restaurant employees nationwide maximize education benefits and take the next step in their professional journey– whether at McDonald’s or elsewhere. Built with long-standing partner, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), and with support from InsideTrack, a national success coaching organization, McDonald’s will now be able to offer all restaurant employees a real-time career advising tool that connects them to InsideTrack’s professional and credentialed advisors to support, coach and help them chart a path to achieve the future job or career they desire.
Stephen Goldsmith joins national social impact organization as senior strategic advisor
Survey of over 30,000 military vets shows that they value certificates and certifications
Initiative to include National Task Force on the Transfer of Credit, also supported by Charles Koch Foundation