Assess

Before you decide what you want to do with your life, you have to understand who you are and whom you can become. That means recognizing your interests, your special talents and abilities, and your weaknesses, too. The career planning process at Maryville begins your freshman year with an assessment of your interests, skills, values and personality.

What are Assessments?

Assessments are not the same as tests. A test is something that you take in Biology or Math class. It is a measure of some type of knowledge—it has right or wrong answers. An assessment does not require you to have any prior knowledge of a specific area. On the contrary, it is designed to GIVE you knowledge. There are no right or wrong answers on an assessment.

Assessment can be viewed as gathering information about yourself—taking stock of your interests, personality style, values, and skills. You must know these things about yourself before you can determine which major or career is a good fit for you.

What types of Assessments are there?

The Center for Calling & Career offers the following types of Assessments. The links provide further information about each type.

When/How can I take the Assessments?

No appointment is necessary to take any of our assessments. You may come to the CC&C in Bartlett 308 at your convenience. If you know which assessments you would like to complete, tell one of our staff members and we’ll get you started. If you are not sure which assessments would be most helpful in your situation, we’ll be glad to talk with you and make recommendations. After you have finished your selected assessments, you must make an interpretation appointment with the CCC Office in order to receive your results.

What is an Interpretation and why can’t I get my Assessment results without one?

An interpretation meeting is a one-to-one meeting with the Director of Assessment to go over the results of your assessments. During this meeting, you have the opportunity to discuss your particular situation and career planning needs, to see how the information generated from the assessments relates to your situation, and to get some suggestions on what your next steps should involve. Depending on the number of assessments you completed, the interpretation meeting will last around 45 minutes to one hour.

Assessments are often misinterpreted. If you do not understand what an assessment is designed to do, then you do not get much out of the results. Meeting with the Director of Assessment ensures that you fully comprehend your results and that you know how to apply them to your career decision

 

Strong Interest Inventory (SII)

Purpose: Assesses an individual’s interests in a broad range of occupations, work and leisure activities, and educational subjects. Identifies careers that best match a person’s interests.
For: Adults, college students, and high school students seeking career direction.
Administration: Online; 30 minutes

The following are similar to but not actual assessment questions.

Strong Interest Inventory:
Would you prefer
1) skydiving
2) taking a bake decorating class
3) working on a political campaign

Would you rather have dinner with
1) an accountant
2) a scientist
3) a social activist

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Purpose: Assesses personality preferences. Identifies characteristics unique to different personality types and how these relate to career exploration.
For: Adults, college students, and high school students seeking an understanding of personality preferences.
Administration: Paper & pencil; 20 minutes

The following are similar to but not actual assessment questions.

MBTI
Would you rather
1) go to the movies
2) discuss a movie with a group of people

Would you say
1) "Being on time is being 5 minutes early" or
2) "On time? I don't even own a watch!"

 

Values Assessment Checklist (VAC)

Purpose: Helps an individual identify values necessary to job satisfaction.
For: Adults, college students, and high school students seeking clarification of values.
Administration: Paper & pencil; 10 minutes

The following are similar to but not actual assessment questions.

Values:
Rate these five work values from something you must have at your workplace (#1) to one you wouldn't care if it was in your workplace (#5):
Freedom to make decisions
Being able to help people
Learning new things
Working alone
Financial gain

 

Skills Assessment Checklist (SAC)

Purpose: Helps an individual identify skills in which they are confident and skills in which they are less confident.
For: Adults, college students, and high school students seeking an understanding of job-related skills.
Administration: Paper & pencil; 10 minutes

The following are similar to but not actual assessment questions.

Skills:
Rate these five skills from something you are confident you are good at (#1) to something you have little confidence in doing (#5):
Writing
Listening
Teaching others new skills
Working on a team
Thinking creatively

 

Career Thoughts Inventory (CTI)

Purpose: Helps an individual identify negative career thoughts that interfere with effective decision-making. Helps identify the nature of an individual’s career problems.
For: People who are experiencing difficulties with the career planning process. Standardized on adults, college students, and high school students.
Administration: Paper & pencil; 15 minutes

 

Career Attitudes and Strategies Inventory (CASI)

Purpose: Helps an individual identify sources of dissatisfaction in his or her work environment. Also assesses potential career obstacles.
For: Adults who are considering a job / career change.
Administration: Paper & pencil; 30 minutes