Know Yourself: Career Assessment Activities

Career-related assessment generally involves doing different types of reflective activities to increase understanding of your unique self and your current situation.  

Reflect to Increase Self-Understanding

A clear, detailed picture of yourself is essential for making informed decisions and re-decisions about your options. Reflect upon your qualities, preferences and experience:

  • What do I naturally enjoy? (interests)
  • What are some of my strengths? (skills and abilities, attitudes)
  • When do I get engaged and lose track of time? (motivations)
  • What makes things rewarding and meaningful? (values) What are some related goals?
  • What are some fields and programs of interest for realizing these goals?

Complete Career Assessments

  • Review the list of  career assessments--interests, values, personality, and skills and abilities. Select and complete ones of interest.
  • Formal standardized assessments (e.g., Strong Interest Inventory) have been evaluated for validity and reliability in measuring career-related factors (e.g., interests, values).
  • Critically review assessment results. Increase self-awareness and identify related educational and career opportunities. 

Consider All Influential Factors in Your Situation

  • In your unique situation, what are all the factors that are important to consider in your decision-making? Consider relationships, financial resources, location, the labour market and whatever else is important and influential.
  • How much weight does each factor carry in your decision-making? What options are realistic and feasible? Do you need to compromise?
  • As you and your situation can change, at what point would you re-evaluate a decision and make a re-decision?