Self Exploration
Self-exploration is helpful when you are in the process of making decisions about majors and/or career options. A career counselor will help you explore information about yourself, such as your skill preferences, interests, values, using a series of career-related assessments. You will then be able to research academic and career options based upon the results of what you learned about yourself.
NOTE: Self-exploration results do not tell you what your choice of major or career path will be. Self-exploration results and activities provide you with information about yourself along with majors and occupations to explore further. The choice of self-exploration option(s) will be determined by a career counselor based upon your individual needs and the education and career decisions you would like to make.
Self-Exploration Options:
Self-exploration Activity Sheets: These activity worksheets are designed to help you organize information about yourself. We recommend that you meet with a Career Counselor to discuss your results and how the information relates to exploring college majors and career paths.
Strong Interest Inventory: The Strong Interest Inventory® instrument is based on the idea that individuals are more satisfied and productive when they work in jobs or at tasks that they find interesting. The online version of the Strong Interest Inventory® instrument takes about 45 minutes to complete. Your personalized report identifies occupations and majors you might wish to explore further based upon your results.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® instrument provides information that you can use to make decisions about preferences you have about job tasks, work environments, and how you make decisions. Knowing your MBTI® type may, for example, prove helpful in deciding what specific areas of law, medicine, education, or business you might prefer.
SkillScan: SkillScan® is a card sort activity that helps students identify skills they have acquired through life experiences, including school and work. In addition, the assessment allows you to identify your most preferred skills and skill categories you would like to use in your career choice.
Self-Directed Search: The Self-Directed Search ® (SDS) asks questions about your interests and abilities. It then produces a 3-letter theme code that can be used to identify careers/majors related to your skills and interests. The assessment provides a list of occupations (and college majors).
Computerized Career Information Systems: Computerized career information systems provide information on college majors and universities, including community college and vocational programs. The system also has information on occupations and career fields, as well as career assessments you can take to explore information about yourself.
Values Card Sorts: A value is a principle or quality intrinsically valuable or desirable to you. Values are personal. They are your convictions, your beliefs, and your ethics rolled into one. Values card sorts help students identify their more preferred work and personal values. Career counselors will help you relate your values to your education and career choices.