Our Career Institute was established to empower all workers and learners by addressing career barriers through research-driven solutions and meaningful partnerships.
Housed within the University's College of Doctoral Studies, the Institute conducts impactful research and collaborates with leading organizations such as , and the to explore broad and persistent barriers to career growth.ÌýThrough annual studies like the Career Optimism Index® and targeted reports, including the Career Optimism Special Reportâ„¢ Series: Moms in the Sandwich Generation, Mothers Overcome More® (M.O.M.â„¢) and Generating Rural Opportunities in the Workplaceâ„¢ (G.R.O.W.â„¢), the Institute shares actionable insights to inform solutions.
CAREER OPTIMISM INDEX®
The 2025 Career Optimism Index® study reveals a workforce struggling with record-high burnout, declining autonomy, and widespread workplace discontent. Despite these challenges, employers continue to prioritize external hires over investing in their existing teams, overlooking the potential of their workforce. This approach leaves both workers and organizations grappling with stalled growth and unaddressed skills gaps.
Nearly 86% of surveyed workers are actively seeking skill development opportunities, yet 43% report lacking access to necessary training programs.
Workers who use AI are significantly more likely to feel hopeful about their careers (89% vs. 78%), experience a sense of autonomy in their job (65% vs. 49%) and report better work-life balance (81% vs. 74%). These differences underscore AI's powerful potential to enhance skill development and strengthen career resilience.
Amid rising challenges, workers remain eager to take charge of their future careers, with 86% actively seeking skill development opportunities.
Employers can harness this drive by investing in upskilling and integrating AI-focused training, which 68% recognize as valuable for their workforce. Supporting internal talent through these efforts not only addresses critical skills gaps but also enhances resilience and reduces burnout, fostering long-term business growth.
Building on our Career Optimism Index findings, our special reports provide in-depth insights into key challenges impacting American workers today, offering actionable strategies and solutions to drive meaningful change.
Produced in partnership with Motherly,Ìýthe Career Optimism Special Reportâ„¢ Series: Moms in the Sandwich Generation, reveals critical insights on the career cost of dual caregiving and the imperative for increased employer support to serve the fastest-growing employee segment in the U.S.
Workers living in rural America are more likely to feel held back in their career because of where they live, compared to their nonrural counterparts. The Generating Rural Opportunities in the Workplaceâ„¢ (G.R.O.W.â„¢) report explores this reality and opportunities to improve future progress.
More insights about career perceptions
HR Dive
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Forbes
Allwork.Space
To learn more about °®¶¹´«Ã½ Career Institute® or the Career Optimism Index®, please contact us at careerinstitute@phoenix.edu.