Self-Assessment
Self-assessment is a way of understanding yourself and
your goals by defining your core values, personality, interests,
and, skills.
The goals of self-assessment are to help you to:
- Identify your strengths, skills and interests.
- Target occupations and fields you might not have considered before.
- Clarify what you want to do next.
- Find a career path that would be truly interesting and satisfying.
Just remember...
- It's perfectly normal if you feel stressed or confused about which career direction to take.
- It's okay to continually re-evaluate yourself throughout your college experience.
- You can choose or change your career path at any time, depending on your situation.
- There's more than just one "right" job for you.
- Don't let false assumptions about yourself and the work place stop you from finding a fulfilling career.
Interests
Interests are activities you pursue for pure enjoyment. They can include elective courses, hobbies, extra curricular activities, or anyway you use your free time. Your interests are clues to the type of career you will excel in. Remember that you will experience the greatest job satisfaction when you are doing what you like to do and working with others who share similar interests.
Take an interests test to pinpoint what really interests you.
Values
Values are the core principles that should determine what you do, who you spend your time with, and how you think about the world. Knowing your values is crucial for making wise career choices. And when you choose work that reflects your priorities, you will feel more committed to what you are doing and will be more satisfied in your workplace.
Examples of values include job security, open communication, and high income. Take a values test to better understand what you think is important.
Personality
Your personal style helps you choose work environments that allow you to perform well and be content. For instance, some people need work settings where they have lots of time for quiet concentration. Others thrive on a combination of quiet time and group work. Your personal style will help you choose your preferred work environment.
Take a personality test to determine your preferred work environment.
Skills
- Motivated skills are abilities to do something well; they come from talent, training, or practice.
- Self-management skills are your abilities to exist and work in certain environments with certain people. Examples are time management and collaboration.
- Transferable skills are those skills you use in you schoolwork that can also be used in a professional environment; some examples include research and analytical skills.
- Work-content skills are the specific tools you need to function in the workplace like math skills for accountants or drawing skills for graphic designers. These may also include knowledge of computer programs or other equipment required on the job.
