The lockstep march from school to work and then on to retirement no longer applies for a growing share of Americans. Many young adults are launching their careers later, while older adults are working longer. As a result, the education and labor market institutions that were the foundation of a 20th century system are out of sync with the 21st century knowledge economy. This six-part report examines trends in employment, labor force participation, annual earnings, and occupations for young and older adults, by sex, race/ethnicity, and education. The following are appended: (1) Methodology; and (2) Detailed Occupational Changes for Young Adults between 1980 and 2010, and Endnotes.

Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. 3300 Whitehaven Street NW Suite 5000 Box 571444, Washington, DC 20057. Tel: 202-687-4922; Fax: 202-687-3110; e-mail: cewgeorgetown@georgetown.edu; Web site: http://cew.georgetown.edu