Career Assessment Services & Resources

Undecided about what to study or your major? Re-evaluating your current direction? Considering a career change?

The U of R Career Centre offers career assessment resources and services to support you in making informed decisons and re-decisions about your educational, career and life direction. Assessment services are offered to U of R Students (current and former), Alumni and Staff. 

What is career assessment? 

  • Career assessment involves doing reflective activities to increase self-awareness and identify factors important to you for career satisfaction--for example, completing inventories or checklists to clarify your stronger interests, skills and abilities, and values.
  • With a clearer picture of yourself, you're better prepared to assess different educational and career options, and identify those that "fit" on your terms.
  • Self-assessment also involves considering how other factors, such as significant others and financial resources, can influence your educational and career decisions.  

What are standardized and non-standardized assessments? 

  • Standardized assessments, such as the Strong Interest Inventory, have been evaluated for accuracy in terms of reliability and validity.
  • Non-standardized assessments, such as an interest checklist in a magazine or website, generally have not been well researched for reliability and validity. 
  • Both types of assessment have measurement error, so critically review all assessment results. 

In addition to assessment, what else can I do to help make informed decisions about my direction? 

  • Informed decision making requires taking time to explore and research your educational and career options well.
  • Prepare to re-evaluate and make re-decisions as needed to increase career satisfaction.