Sunday, March 15, 2015

What career should you REALLY have?

Yesterday, after a good conversation with my dad, I went online to try to take some career aptitude tests. I think I may have taken one when I was younger, in either late middle school or early high school, but even if I did I don't remember what the results were or even if I'd still have them. So Google was my guide to try to find a good test or two.
Just the idea of taking one reminded me of an old episode of Hey Arnold! when all the kids take a career test. The story followed Helga and Harold who were convinced that the results they got (international businessman and woodsperson, respectively) were the results they had to follow throughout their life from that point forward. For Helga, it was a bit heartbreaking (obviously with a test telling you that you would only amount to be a good woodsperson, it can be devastating to a 4th grader). Harold, on the other hand, ended up making a total change from what he'd been known for in most episodes of the show; instead of being a bit of an idiot and bully, he actually started learning and wanting to be that genius that the test told him he could be.

The episode resolved when it was revealed that their test results were accidentally switched, and the joke for Harold's real results was that he answered every question as "take a hike in the woods". But Mr. Simmons reassured him that despite what a test like that could say, Harold could do anything he actually wanted to do because he was applying himself and wanting to reach a goal he'd never thought of before.

Here's the test that I took, literally one of the first things that came up after searching for "career aptitude test". There were some others I found and took, but they required a payment to actually receive all the results.

http://www.yourfreecareertest.com

And here are the results I got for it:

INTEREST LEVEL: 75%
Career Category: Visual And Performing Arts Careers

Recommended Student Classes:
Writing, public speaking, and art courses are important. Start creating a portfolio or your performances and work.
Example Careers:
Art Therapist, Art Director, Art, Drama, or Music Teacher, Fine Artists (various), Digital Artist (various), Museum Technician and Conservationist, Commercial and Industrial Designer, Model/Actor, Makeup Artist or Cosmetologist (hair stylist), Stage Design and Manager, Broadcast/Audio Engineer, Fashion Designer, Interior Designer, Musician/Music Producer, Video Game Designer.

INTEREST LEVEL: 58%
Career Category: Education And Training Careers

Recommended Student Classes:
Take courses in the particular subject you would like to teach. Public speaking and writing courses will be useful. Also, emerging technology is valued in education, so take some computer courses.
Example Careers:
Elementary, middle, high school, and college teachers, Vocational Education Teachers, Administration (Principal/Superintendent), Guidance Counselor/Academic Advisor, Librarian, Tutor/Teacher's Aid, Literacy Development, Staff Development, Curriculum Developer, Instructional Designer.

INTEREST LEVEL: 50%
Career Category: Business, Management, And Administration Careers

Recommended Student Classes:
Communication courses that develop your writing and public speaking skills are beneficial. Math and accounting classes will also be necessary. Take any business, law, or computer courses, your school may offer.
Example Careers:
Market Research Analyst, Accountant, Marketing / Advertising, Logistics (Inventory and Process), Administrative Assistant, Entrepreneur (Business Owners), Financial Analyst, Human Resources, Sales Agent, Management / Supervisors (various), Corporate Executive, Project Manager, Insurance Agent, Real Estate, Travel Agent.

INTEREST LEVEL: 42%
Career Category: Culinary Careers

Recommended Student Classes:
You want to be proficient in math and have a basic understanding of business.
Example Careers:
Restaurant Owner / Manager, Caterer, Pastry Chef (Baker), Sommelier (Wine Expert), Personal or Restaurant Chef, Nutritionist, Restaurant Supervisors / Managers (various).

INTEREST LEVEL: 42%
Career Category: Wellness And Athletics Careers

Recommended Student Classes:
Courses related to nutrition, health education, physical education, human biology, and psychology are helpful.
Example Careers:
Coach and Talent Scout, Athletic Trainer, Athlete, Fitness and Wellness Trainer, Umpire, Referee, and Other Sports Official, Recreation and Fitness Teacher, Sports Medicine Physician, Nutritionist or Dietitian, Physical Therapist, Massage Therapist, Recreational Worker.

INTEREST LEVEL: 33%
Career Category: Technology Careers

Recommended Student Classes:
Take as much math as possible and any computer programming or computer science courses available. Chemistry and physics will help as well. Writing and public speaking are also highly valued.
Example Careers:
Software Developer, Information Technology Project Manager, Network and Security, Computer Programmer (various), Digital Media (various), Engineer (various), Informatics (science of information), Computer Forensics, Cryptanalyst, Robotics, Biofuels / Biodiesel Technology, Instructional Designer.

INTEREST LEVEL: 33%
Career Category: Language And Communications Careers

Recommended Student Classes:
Writing, public speaking, computer classes, and courses in the humanities are valued. Psychology and sociology will be beneficial.
Example Careers:
English, Foreign Language, and Literature Teacher, Author, Technical Writer and Editor, Interpreter/Translator, Journalist/Reporter, Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising, Social Media Expert, Research Specialist.

INTEREST LEVEL: 17%
Career Category: Social Sciences Careers

Recommended Student Classes:
Psychology, sociology, and human relations are beneficial courses to take for a career in the social sciences.
Example Careers:
Social Science Teacher (various), Social Science Research Assistant, Social Worker (various), Psychologist or Counselor (various), Social and Community Service Managers, Sociologist, International Relations, Political Scientist, Politician, Advocate/Lobbyist.

INTEREST LEVEL: 17%
Career Category: Math And Engineering Careers

Recommended Student Classes:
Rigorous math, science, and computer courses are the most valued.
Example Careers:
Actuary, Engineer (various), Computer Programmer, Math Teacher (various), Mathematician, Finance, Economist, Statisticians, Physicists, Architect, Accountant, Financial Analyst.

INTEREST LEVEL: 17%
Career Category: Health Science Careers

Recommended Student Classes:
Human anatomy, biology, chemistry, and physics courses are highly beneficial. Many health programs require writing samples and placement tests. English, math, and writing courses will help significantly when trying to obtain admission into health related programs.
Example Careers:
Sonographer (Ultrasound), Nurse, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), Radiographer (X-Ray Technician), Surgical Technologist or Surgical First Assistant, Dental Assistant/Dental Hygienist, Physical Therapist/Assistant, Occupational Therapist/Assistant, Speech Therapist/Assistant, Physician (Doctor)/Surgeon (various), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic, Medical Assistant (various), Medical Office/Record Assistant (transcriptionist), Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Medical and Health Service Manager (various), Veterinarian or Veterinarian Assistant.

INTEREST LEVEL: 0%
Career Category: Natural Sciences Careers

Recommended Student Classes:
Rigorous science courses are the most valued.
Example Careers:
Zoologist, Biologist (various), Environmental Scientist, Anthropologist, Conservationist (various), Anthropologist, Archaeologist, Chemist, Agriculturalist, Science Teacher (various), Research Scientist, Astronomer, Geologist, Horticulturalist. Also review the Health Science Careers.

INTEREST LEVEL: 0%
Career Category: Law, Public Safety, Corrections, And Security Careers

Recommended Student Classes:
Knowing a commonly used second langauge, public speaking, and writing skills are useful.
Example Careers:
Paralegal, Forensics (Crime Scene Investigation), Law Enforcement, Correctional Officers, Firefighters, Lawyer, Judge, Security Guard, Wildlife Officer.

SUB INTERESTS
INTEREST LEVEL: 100%
Sub Interest: Computers

Example Careers:
Network and Security, Computer Programmer (various), Digital Media (various), Computer Forensics, Cryptanalyst, Robotics, Computer Support Specialist, Computer Hardware Engineer, Game Design and Development.

INTEREST LEVEL: 67%
Sub Interest: Helping People

Example Careers:
Social Worker (various), Therapist (various), Various Medical Positions, Rehabilitation Counselor, Teacher, Spiritual Leader, Firefighter, Law Enforcement.

INTEREST LEVEL: 67%
Sub Interest: Fixing And Building

Example Careers:
Construction (various), Mechanic (various), Structural Iron and Steel Worker, Carpentry or Wood Working, Upholsterer, Electrician, Equipment Install and Repair, Plumber, Production Worker.

INTEREST LEVEL: 33%
Sub Interest: Outdoors And/Or Physical

Example Careers:
Farm, Crop, Nursery, or Greenhouse Worker, Forest and Conservation Worker, Logging Worker, Animal Trainer, Police Officer, Firefighter, Military Personnel, Environmental Scientist, Archeologist, Surveyor, Landscape Architect.


I went through and highlighted the career choices that actually sound interesting to me, if you're curious at all about my thoughts on it. It was a fun little exercise to go through, and like in the episode, while this doesn't necessarily tell me exactly what I should do with my life, it does open up opportunities that I hadn't thought about before.

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