More Americans are using the current weakened state of the country's economy as an opportunity to enhance their career through educational programs and career skills.

The Career College Association released results of its new commissioned survey and found more than one-third of respondents said they were interested in higher education as a way to enhance their prospects in their working lives.

The survey also found that 32 percent of those seeking more education were looking to study a long-held passion or intellectual interest.

"Nobody likes to be out of a job, but this survey suggests that people who are unemployed, under-employed or simply anxious about their current employment prospects are using lemons to make lemonade," said Harris N. Miller, CCA president.

Workers with high salaries also appear to be embracing this "career re-inventor phenomenon," as the poll describes. A total of 44 percent of those earning between $75,000 to $100,000 a year reported they were getting additional education.

Going back to school can be beneficial to one's career, especially in an economy where it may help to have as much training and knowledge as possible.