Study: Many young GenX adults engaging in ongoing education

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ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 7 (UPI) -- Generation X members are earning graduate and professional degrees at a higher rate than any previous generation, University of Michigan researchers report.

In addition, almost half of the 80 million young adults in the generation take continuing education courses, in-service training and workshops required for professional licenses and certifications, they said.

"This is an impressive level of engagement in lifelong learning," report author Jon D. Miller of the university's Institute for Social Research said. "It reflects the changing realities of a global economy, driven by science and technology."

The report is based responses from approximately 3,900 study participants who are in their late 30's.

The report also examined informal sources of learning among Generation X members.

"We found that Generation X adults use a mix of information sources, including traditional print and electronic media, as well as the Internet and social media," Miller said.

"We found that talking with friends and family was cited as a source of information more frequently than traditional news media," he said of how GenXers said they acquired information about important contemporary events.

"While a high proportion of young adults are continuing their formal education, reflecting the changing demands of a global economy, many are also using the full resources of their personal networks and the electronic era to keep up with information on emerging issues."