Discovering your career path, Part III

This is Part III of a four-part series discussing methods to narrow down what jobs you’d like to pursue post-graduation.

If you’ve taken an in-depth personality test, you have insight into how you naturally behave and in what situations you are most comfortable. If you have a college transcript with a broad range of coursework, you probably have an idea of what subject matter interests you.

Now, do you have an understanding of how you work best and what kind of work environment you might enjoy? Career aptitude tests are a great way to unearth your preferences.

One of the most trusted resources among career development professionals is the Strong Interest Inventory. This assessment enables you to identify specific courses, jobs, internships and activities you’re likely to enjoy. It helps you pinpoint your interests, preferences and personal style so you can prepare for a satisfying career. You can visit your career services office to find opportunities to take this test.

There are several free career aptitude tests online that can get you started in narrowing your career options. These can serve as a basic first step before you visit your campus’ career services office.

LiveCareer.com offers an online test and a free version of your career aptitude report. It has 100 questions asking you to consider three tasks and to rank them based on whether you would enjoy them or not. From your answers, the program creates your “Basic Interest Profile,” like the example below.

LiveCareer’s test also examines where you fall into John Holland’s* seven approaches to the world of work. For example, if you discover you are a Realistic worker, you probably enjoy working with your hands or being outdoors. If you’re an Investigative worker, you probably enjoy problem solving, math and technology.

Indiana Career Connect is also a great resource, not only for exploring careers, but applying for jobs. The website offers a section called Career Explorer. Here, you can learn what jobs might suit you by matching your skills, interests and work values with career fields.

These sources are helpful as you’re building a general idea of what career you’d like to pursue, but remember that speaking with an academic advisor is crucial as you create your four-year plan. Career advisors can speak with you and offer personalized assistance as you take your first steps.

Look for Part IV in the coming days, where we’ll explore the value of experiential learning.

*John L. Holland, PhD and Gary D. Gottfredson, PhD, Dictionary of Holland Occupational Codes, 3rd Edition, 1996, Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.