Career Exploration

Sometimes students will talk about being stressed, overwhelmed or worried when thinking about the future and trying to decide what they want to be when they grow up.  I get it, but I have to admit – this kind of makes me sad.  I think that the process of exploring potential careers for your future should be fun and exciting.  It should provide you with the chance to learn more about yourself – what you like, what you don’t like, what you are interested in learning more about, and how you can contribute to make the world a better place in big or small ways.

Yes, I realize that this all sounds like pressure and that is not what I intend.  Let me be clear – I am not asking you to decide today what you will do for the rest of your life.  I’m just hoping that you take a big deep breath, relax and do some career exploration.  Even a little bit now while you are in high school can help give you insights into possible fields to investigate... plus, in just over a week we are going to start registering for next year's classes and so maybe you will want to select an elective to help you explore a career area even more.

YouScience is our gold standard in career exploration.  If you have about an hour to hour and a half that you're willing to use in looking at your own strengths and how it relates to careers, this is the option to use.  You will need to come see me and I can give you a link to access YouScience.  But, we also have shorter options that are also good and interesting at giving you a snapshot of ideas about possible career fields.

Some students have done a Myers Briggs personality test and the codes of your personality can be connected with potential career fields.  If you have never taken a Myers Briggs type test, today is the day!  This website provides a free version of the test.  It takes 12 minutes to complete… what are you waiting for?  In case it entices you to complete the test, the results will not only tell you about potential career paths you might like it will also highlight some of your strengths and weaknesses, styles of interactions and needs with others, and work habits.  Plus, once you have your Myers Briggs code type (it will be 4 letters) you can do a Google search to find information about top careers for your personality type and that will result in much more detailed, specific career related information.  (I also have a summary with more information about careers by personality type so bring in your 4 digit code and I can give you the career summary that aligns with it.)

If a personality test seems too abstract for a career interest inventory, then I also have another free career test that you might like.  This is a quick 56 question test where you indicate how much or how little you are interested in various areas.  It isn’t the “prettiest” site, but the information is good – when you get to the results page just scroll down below the video to see what it indicates as being your results.

After you have done either or both of these tests I hope that you will save or print your results and bring them in so that we can talk about them and what you think based upon your own interests for your future and if you agree or disagree with the results.  And yes, it is ok to disagree… a quick simple test online cannot replace your own thoughts, feelings, interests, and insights!