Recent educational experiences have the off in key ways for some learners PERSONAL LEARNERS Among adults who pursued personal learning activities, percent who say their learning capable and well-ounded Opened up new perspectives PROFESSIONAL LEARNERS Among adults who pursued professional learning activities, percent who say their learning
Asked about the impact of these learning activities, many personal and professional learners cite a variety of benefits. For the 74% of the population who pursued personal learning in the past 12 months, the rewards often tie to psychological and social benefits:
Recent educational experiences have  | the off in key ways for some learners  | PERSONAL LEARNERS  | Among adults who pursued personal learning  | activities, percent who say their learning  | Helped them feel more  | 87%  | capable and well-ounded  | Opened up new perspectives  | 69  | about their lives  | Helped them make new friends  | 64  | Made them feel more connected  | 58  | to their local community  | Prompted them to get more  | 43  | involved in career apporunities  | PROFESSIONAL LEARNERS  | Among adults who pursued professional learning  | activities, percent who say their learning  | Expanded their professional  | 65%  | network  | Helped them advance within  | 47  | their current company  | Enabled them to find a new job with  | 29  | their current employer or a new one  | Helped them consider a  | 27  | different career path  | Note: Personal learners 74% ofadults who participated in some  | kind of personal enichmentactivities in the past12 months  | Professional leamers 63% offull- and part-time workers or 36%  | all adults These leamers tooka course orgottraining in the past  | 12 months forjob-re lated pursuits.  | Source: Survey conducted Oct. 13-Nov. 15 2015  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 