Career Interest Surveys

Today we will be spending some time looking at career interest surveys. These are provided free of charge, so they are oftentimes shorter versions of the types of surveys given in a professional office setting. As you go through the choices when answering questions, try to be as truthful as possible about the way you ARE...not necessarily the way you WANT to be.

You will have a chance to take a variety of inventories based on your personalities or interests. Hopefully the surveys will help spark some interest in a variety of occupations, some health care related (others not).

1. Go to this career test; it is based on your preferences for certain tasks or jobs. Complete this and read the career test results. Answer the questions written in RED below on your word document.

a. Without looking at your results, look at the six personality types from Dr. Holland's model. Please rank these personality types from 1-6 (the "1" should describe you best).

b. According to the survey you took, what were your three top personality types? What was your Holland code?

c. Look at the list of suggested occupations. Read descriptions of each one. Make a top 10 list (1 being most likely) occupations you might consider looking into.

2. Now we will see if the Holland Quiz is a valid and reliable measure (or if you were telling the truth in the last survey! :) Go to this quiz, complete it and check out your results!

a. What was your code for this Holland quiz? How different were the results for this quiz (as compared to the quiz from #1 above?

b. Give five examples of occupations in this occupation list that you are interested in.  

c. Go to the bottom of the page and click on your code (first three letters). Which one occupation are you most interested in? 

d. Click on the link for that occupation you are most interested in. Read about that job. Scroll all the way down and list:
      1. one skill you know you need to work on to do well in this job
      2. one of the activities of this job that you would be most excited to do on a daily basis
      3. What type of education you will need for this job. 
      4. What are two related occupations? Are there any of these that have been tagged "bright outlook?" 
      5. What are typical wages for this job? 
      6. Describe the projected job growth/job openings for this occupation

e. Compared to the first quiz, does this survey seem to be a better or worse indicator of your personality traits (and job preferences)? Explain.

3. Check out this short medical career interest survey.

a. What jobs are recommended for you in this survey? List as many as you agree with? 

b. If you already think you know what you want to do (and it is not on your recommended list), why do you think that is? For example, what skills and personality traits must you have present to do well in the job?