In the past, it was typical to complete a prescribed set of studies, find a job in a related field, and stay in that field until retirement. One decision and that was it! Today it is far more common for students to change majors and for workers to make several career changes in a lifetime. People change their careers for a variety of reasons. They might not have made wise choices initially, their interests or skills might have changed, or the careers they selected may no longer exist.
Making plans for your future can be difficult. Starting with the self-assessment process can give you more choices and increase your confidence that you are on the right career path.
A self-assessment can reveal your personal attributes, values, skills, and interests, all of which are critical in helping you make informed career choices that are appropriate for you. Looking for a relationship between these personal characteristics and the work you are considering is the most important step you can take before you write a resume or begin the search for a job. In fact, when the time comes to write your resume and prepare for a job interview, you will find the task significantly easier if you have completed the self-assessment process first.
Start by examining your interests, strengths, and traits. Ask yourself: What do I do well? What do I enjoy doing? What do others tell me about myself? What energizes me? What am I passionate about? Answers to these questions will help you identify your strengths and make decisions around the contributions you can make. Many people try to conform to jobs advertised in newspapers or other sources. However, employers today have many qualified candidates from whom to choose. You will be seriously considered for a position only if you demonstrate that you know who you are, what you can offer, and where you are going.
Be sure you are completing a “self” assessment. Although the thoughts, ideas, and opinions of others may matter a great deal to you, it is important that you articulate your personal attributes, values, skills, and interests and how these influence your career decision-making process.
One of the most important factors in determining your happiness and success in a job is understanding your personal attributes, also referred to as personality. Everyone has a distinct set of attributes comprised of individual traits: thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and attitudes. Are you easy going? Strong willed? Practical? Be honest when you assess your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and attitudes.
Have you ever wondered what causes someone to study for years to enter a career such as engineering or law while another person will look for the quickest way to make money? What causes someone to become disenchanted with what he or she thought was a dream job or organization? Values often play a significant role in such cases.
People often neglect to consider values when exploring viable occupations, yet values are critical to career satisfaction and fulfillment. In fact, various studies have shown that work values more highly correlate than interests with work satisfaction: if you do not value what you do each day at your job, it is unlikely you will be happy there. It is important not only to identify, or label, your values, but also to prioritize them, since satisfaction of your core (most important) values will factor greatly into your overall career satisfaction.
A skill is a demonstrated ability to do something well. Skills can be learned and developed in a variety of ways: through academic or vocational training, self study, hobbies, or on-the-job activities. In the labour market, skills are the currency used by workers in exchange for pay, so the more you develop your skills, the more marketable you will be.
If you were asked right now to list your skills, what would your list look like? It might be a short list, not because you do not possess many skills, but simply because you have never been asked to identify them and are not accustomed to thinking or talking about them. Each person has approximately 700 distinct skills in his or her repertoire. However, most people have trouble identifying their skills and, even when able to do so, feel uncomfortable promoting them. You cannot afford this kind of modesty. Having a realistic understanding of your skills will enable you to pursue occupations that you are qualified for and that you will enjoy.
Interests are often the first factor a person thinks of when considering an occupational direction: What do I like to do? Likes, dislikes, and indifference regarding various occupations and career-relevant activities are indeed important determinants of career choice. Make note of what attracts your attention: What courses do you enjoy? What conversations do you find yourself listening in on? What events do you like to attend? What newspaper articles grab your interest? Answers to these questions will help to give you a clearer sense of direction regarding potential occupations that relate to your interests.
Other Factors To Consider
Aspects beyond your personal attributes, values, skills, and interests can affect your career decision-making process. Consider what impact gender, culture, family and significant others, sexual orientation, and disability might have. A combination of factors is often at play. Print resources are available on many of these topics, and Career Services staff is available to help you work through issues associated with these criteria.
Cultural values have been identified as important influences in career decision making. Although perspectives on work and making a career choice vary from culture to culture, members of some minority cultures experience greater difficulty with career planning. Perceived, as well as actual, barriers may result in lower levels of confidence in attaining various career goals.
Those who come from cultures where career decision making is a family or group process may experience more internal and external conflict. The decision maker is influenced by both family expectations and the individual decision-making approach prevalent in the dominant North American culture. When a decision maker has personal desires that are in conflict with those of the family, he or she puts off making the decision. The decision maker may also be uncomfortable or unhappy with a prospective career choice, depending on whose needs are not being met through this choice.
Everyone is influenced by gender and gender expectations and, as a result, may experience internal and external barriers in career decision making. Barriers for women may include difficulty in pursuing both career and family goals; male domination in traditionally male-dominated school subjects and career fields (e.g., math and science), even if decision makers possess the skills and abilities to be successful in such fields; anticipating a low level of success in a male-dominated work world; or being confronted by discrimination in selection and promotion practices.
Men are also affected by gender expectations and barriers. They are expected to achieve and to be ambitious and to pursue certain types of careers (often those involving much competition). Men are also often encouraged to avoid a long list of female-dominated career areas (e.g., day care services, nursing, clerical work) and to support the family financially, rather than through personal presence and involvement.
It is important to be aware of these potential influences and to assess your personal situation carefully. Are there occupations you are drawn to but feel unsure of because of gender-related factors? It would be unfortunate to forego a satisfying career for reasons that might well be overcome with a little self exploration and planning.
Family And Significant Others
Significant others should generally be involved in the entire career planning and job search process. People who know you well can offer insight (e.g., skills they have seen you demonstrate), advice, feedback, and encouragement. They also know your personal style and have witnessed your accomplishments.
Depending on your family, parental over- or under-involvement can be problematic. Is your family open to an expression of your career views that may be different from theirs? Pressure to meet expectations regarding career choice can often be overwhelming and can result in a premature or delayed career decision.
People with physical, sensory, or learning disabilities or chronic medical conditions are advised, like all career decision makers, to focus on personal attributes, values, skills, and interests when choosing a career. Although it is important to consider how your disability may impact your ability to succeed in the occupations you are considering, are you limiting yourself unnecessarily?
Think now about how you may be able to overcome or compensate for any perceived or real stumbling blocks to employment. Be prepared to share your assessment with employers who may not understand what your disability involves and who may believe it to be more of a barrier than it actually is.
At the University of Waterloo, the Office for Persons with Disabilities provides information, academic accommodations, and support.
Pride Experiences And Pride Stories
Developing Your Pride List
Considering your previous experience in all life roles (e.g., worker, volunteer, student, parent or caregiver) is a great way to uncover your skills, interests, personal characteristics, and values. Basing your self assessment on real experience is much more valid than simply selecting items from a list. In the latter case, it is far too tempting and easy to select those characteristics that you wish described you rather than those that actually do.
List experiences from your past that are positive for you. These are experiences that you are proud of and that make you feel energized as you recall them. Include your earliest memories. They can be anything from building a house to drawing a picture or running a race. It only matters how you feel about them. The standard to use in choosing items for this list is your own pride in feeling “I did that myself!”