Cambridge, MA — edX.org, the trusted platform for learning, today announced the results of a survey exploring how the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way that Americans think about their future education and career decisions, and found conflicting points of view.
The pandemic has directly impacted 58% of Americans’ decisions to seek additional education. While respondents agreed that learning opportunities to advance their careers were best, they remained split on the need to invest in education during these times. Additional results highlight that now, when education may be needed most, there are barriers that prevent them from viewing or using education as a solution. Education has always been linked to improved job and earning potential, and with the pandemic leading us into a likely economic downturn, cost is clearly top of mind.
The majority of our respondents (56%) are interested in pursuing additional education but cannot due to cost (29%) or other factors such as limited time (23%). In contrast, just over a quarter (26%) said they are more likely to seek additional education because they want to find a recession-proof job. With many looking ahead to a summer of continued social distancing and fully remote work, educational opportunities that are affordable, flexible and relevant will be crucial. For Americans interested in taking an online course during this period, 45% are looking for a course that will help advance their career, compared to 30% who are interested in taking a course to explore a new interest.
“Past recessions have driven people to gain additional education and advanced degrees to better position themselves in the job market,” said edX co-CEO Adam Medros. “This time around, the quality of online learning and the innovation of modular credentials means that traditionally perceived barriers like location, time, and a significant investment of money are less of an obstacle. With online learning, everyone has the opportunity to learn new skills to help future-proof their careers in what has become an economically unstable time period.”
Developing programs and credentials that help people gain the knowledge and skills they need to advance their careers is in edX’s DNA. We offer an innovative suite of stackable, modular credentials - including MicroMasters® Programs, Professional Certificate Programs, MicroBachelors® Programs - that deliver meaningful career impact in a flexible and affordable way. Online learning has the power to unlock new and bigger opportunities for the restless learners that come to edX to achieve their goals.
About the Survey
The survey was commissioned by edX and fielded by Dynata, a global online market research firm, to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted U.S. adults’ education and career decisions. The responses were generated from two identical surveys, totaling 904 respondents in total. The adults ranged in age from 18-64+, work from home full-time, and were surveyed online in April 2020.