Despite today's economy, 89 percent of workers say their careers have opportunities for growth, according to a new survey from University of Phoenix.
Among the respondents who are not in school full time, 41 percent expect to return in the future, and 64 percent plan to do so in the next two years. This figure is even higher for employed respondents as 54 percent intend to return to school.
"There is a skills gap in America," says Dr. Bill Pepicello, president of University of Phoenix. "Employers have jobs available, but many companies are having a difficult time finding workers with the right skills to fill those positions."
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Another 48 percent of respondents report that they are taking or willing to take an online class to better their careers. Seventy-four percent of respondents ages 25-34 are most likely to enroll in an online course while 63 percent of respondents ages 18-24 also plan to enroll. Older workers are interested in online education, as well, with 58 percent of respondents ages 35-44, 46 percent of respondents ages 45-54 and 21 percent of respondents 55 or older expecting to enroll.
Of respondents with bachelor's degrees, 78 percent say education has positively impacted the hiring process as opposed to 41 percent of respondents who have not received bachelor's degrees. When considering another career, 58 percent of respondents who are not enrolled in school full time say returning to school would be important.
Fifty-eight percent of respondents say returning to school would help them earn greater pay while 43 percent say it would allow them to grow in their fields. According to 50 percent of respondents, they could achieve personal goals by returning to school, and 42 percent of respondents say it would keep them mentally strong.
Returning to school would make relatives proud, 37 percent of respondents say, while another 39 percent of respondents with children would enroll to serve as a good role model.
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