The Career Economy: 2026
How a Changing Landscape is Broadening the Definition of Career Success
Career Success Is Being Redefined
As Americans face unprecedented economic volatility, AI accelerates change, talent shortages persist, and employer expectations evolve, traditional routes to opportunity are giving way to a broader range of pathways. This report combines Penn Foster's own consumer research with workforce and labor market data to uncover what's driving this transformation and how more people can access meaningful career success.