Public Viewpoint: Trends by Job Fields


Released May 6, 2020

Report | Webinar | Charts

The COVID-19 crisis has left millions of Americans without work. As workers struggle to adapt, millions will be looking to upskill, change jobs — or even change careers. The Public Viewpoint research is providing some early signs about impacts across various job fields as well as who is looking to reskill and how they want education and training to be delivered.

Responses from more than 6,000 adults now are included in this survey*, updated weekly and designed to track
the impact of the pandemic on American lives, work, and education. Its intent is to provide insights to the education and training providers, policymakers, employers, and individual Americans who are navigating the crisis.

of leisure and hospitality workers have lost jobs, income, or hours in the COVID-19 crisis.


of education workers believe the crisis will affect them personally for at least six months.


of information technology workers are worried about losing their jobs.


A majority of American workers say they prefer nondegree and skill-based education and training programs.


Nearly half of workers in manufacturing, finance, and information technology say they would change fields if they lost their job.


Across job fields, workers prefer that education and training are delivered online.