About University of Phoenix Career Institute®

University of Phoenix Career Institute® was created to address broad, persistent and systemic barriers to career advancement through research-based solutions and impactful partnerships that break down barriers Americans face in their careers.

CAREER OPTIMISM INDEX®

A comprehensive study of American workers’ career perceptions

The 2022 Career Optimism Index® found that while optimism remains stable, Americans aren't confident in their current skills, think employers aren’t doing enough to help them upskill/reskill and, therefore, feel replaceable. Employers were included in the 2022 study, and the disconnect between workers and employers is significant in some areas.

The Concern

52% of American workers say they are easily replaceable in their job position and 41% worry about losing their jobs.

The Disconnect

While employers seem to understand this, the disconnect is still significant: they fail to understand how acute employees' need for career advocates is and how limited skill development opportunities are.

The Opportunity

68% of workers would stay in jobs if there were more opportunities to upskill; but, employers cite a range of barriers to investing in learning and development.

Download the 2022 index

Download the infographic

More Insights About Career Perceptions

UOPX Researchers & Faculty Share Their Perspectives

Read white papers by University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies researchers and faculty who have dug deeper into the 2021 Career Optimism Index®. New white papers are now being shared with insights from the 2022 Index!

Download the 2022 index

Download the 2021 index

News

Why Relationships Matter for Black Economic Advancement

The Benefits of Workplace Mentorship

An offer they can't refuse: Secrets to success in hiring and keeping talent

White papers

Who is Responsible for Employee Well-Being? The Role of Employers and Resourcing for the Mental Health of their Employees

Supporting the Mental and Emotional Health of Nurses within the Hospital Setting

Belonging: A New Era in Diversity Management Strategy

Industry perspectives

UOPX helps two Kaiser Permanente hospitals receive prestigious Magnet Recognition

Woz U apprenticeship program enlists UOPX to help bridge widening tech skills gap

News

1 Thing Warren Buffett Says You Should Do to Be Happy and Successful

The Great Resignation narrative ignores the Black experience in America

University Of Phoenix Provost John Woods On The Labor Shortage & The 5 Things We Must Do To Attract & Retain Great Talent

Three Reasons Why Job Switching is The Key to Recruitment and Retention

5 tips for getting people excited about coming back to LA-area offices

Survey finds significant gaps between employer perceptions, employee realities [KJZZ]

Employees Want Additional Opportunities for Career, Skills Development

69% of Employees Would Stay in Current Role if Employer Made These Five Changes

Survey finds significant gaps between employer perceptions, employee realities [Fronteras]

University Of Phoenix Study Reveals Employees Lack The Skills To Be Successful

2022 Career Optimism Index™ Shows Significant Gap Between Employee Realities and Employer Perceptions

JFF and University of Phoenix Career Institute™ Work Together to Drive Equitable Economic Advancement for Black Learners and Workers

White papers

Online Education and American Workers' Perceptions

Reskilling and Upskilling: Ways to Prepare and Rehire American Workers

Aligning Employer and Employee Perspectives

American Workers' Reasons for Switching Jobs

Career Perception of American Workers and Their Emotional States

Paychecks and the Pandemic: Perceptions by Income Level

Reconnecting with Self and Outside Activities Add to Career Enjoyment, Happiness Levels

Collaborative and Strategic Planning to Meet the Needs of a Multigenerational Workforce and the Organization

Embracing the New Normal: Recruiting and Retaining K-12 Teachers Post-Pandemic

Covid-19 effects on work-life balance for working parents, military workers, and veterans

Women and Lifelong Employability

Career Perception of American Workers: Career Statuses During the Pandemic

Career Pathways: Engineering Your Career to Last Decades

The Covid-19 Pandemic's Impact on the Job Market Across U.S. Major Metropolitan Areas: American Workers' Perceptions

The Impact of a Phenomenon: Women and Minorities in the Workforce and the Gender Wage Gap

Women of Color: A Summary of Higher Education and Career Experiences

Managing the Stress Arc: Using Evidenced Based Cognitive Strategies for Training Employees in Industry to Deal with Large Scale Disaster and Rapid Change

To learn more about University of Phoenix Career Institute® or the Career Optimism Index®, please contact us at careerinstitute@phoenix.edu.