Self-Assessment Instruments
One valuable way to gather self information is through standardized assessment. Many different types of instruments exist to help you clarify your values, skills, personality, and interests. These instruments rely on self-report: that is, you provide the information about yourself. Thus, these tools are not designed to provide you brand new ideas about yourself, but rather to help organize that information so that it is more easily translated into options for you.
Career Services offers three standardized assessments:
The FOCUS computerized guidance program is designed to help you learn more about how your interests, values, and abilities fit into the world of work and relate to specific occupations. FOCUS is unique because not only does it provide the opportunity for self-assessment, but it also provides detailed information on occupations and educational opportunities. FOCUS can be completed from any computer with internet access; your first step is simply to obtain a password. Although not mandatory, a counseling session is highly recommended to help you maximize the use of your results. (Free to students and alumni.)
The Strong Interest Inventory is an assessment tool that compares your interests with those of a general sample group and with professionals in various careers. It is particularly helpful in defining general interest areas that stand out from others, as well as identifying a list of occupations that are a good match for your interest patterns. ($10 fee)
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a personality assessment tool that produces a 4-letter type to describe your natural preferences and tendencies. This tool can be particularly helpful in describing your strengths, your preferred function in a job or organization, and specific career areas that might be more attractive to an individual with your particular preferences. ($15 fee)
Additionally, we have other paper-and-pencil exercises to help you reflect on various characteristics of a career that are important to you and to better define and articulate your unique skills. One of the most useful assessment areas revolves around values clarification; we can help you evaluate which work and personal values are most important to you. These additional exercises can be utilized in conjunction with a counselor during the career counseling process.
Procedure: If you are interested in taking any self-assessments, the first step is to schedule an appointment with a career counselor. FOCUS is the only assessment tool offered that does not require meeting with a counselor first (although it is strongly suggested). Together you and your counselor will discuss your expectations for taking the assessments, where you are in the career development process, and which tools if any would be of most use to you.
While self-assessment instruments do not tell you what you should do with your life, they can help you gain insight as to the underlying values, personality preferences, and interests that you should take into consideration as you choose a career.
What now?
By now, you will have gathered valuable information and reflected on your unique abilities, interests and values. What do you do with all of this information? How do you translate it into potential careers to explore?
Our experience shows that in many cases, the process itself presents possibilities. Of course, sometimes career possibilities don't always present themselves so readily. In that case, our career counselors can help you dig deeper. In either case, the next step is to learn as much as you can about each potential career using the strategies under Explore Your Options.
