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ENGL 0950-0x

Date

Self and Career Exploration Report

Introduction:

We’ve been involved in many activities this semester having to do with self and career exploration.  The activities have included three “assessments” (the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Values Card Sort, and the Self-Directed Search) along with pre- and post-lectures and discussions about the assessments (which have been led by ARCC counselors).  The purpose of all of this has been for us to get to know ourselves better and to find out which occupations or careers might fit best with our personalities, our values, and our interests.  My overall evaluation of the project is that it has been somewhat helpful.  I have done some of this exploration before, so much of it was repetitious for me; however, it was helpful to review all of the information and interesting to see if I have changed at all since the last time I’ve taken these assessments.

The Assessments:

1.) The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

This time I was an INFJ, but I was very close to an INTJ; I had the same score for both the F and the T.  Explain the “slight” difference between the F and the T.  Comment on why the I and the J are “very clear.”  In the past, when I have done this same assessment, I have been an ISFJ, an ISTJ, and an INTP.  Comment on the variations among these.  Comment on why many people think I’m an E rather than an I.

2.) The Values Card Sort

My top five values are Creativity, Helping Others, Structure and Predictability, Work-Life Balance, and Fun and Humor.  Other things that I value are Independence, Aesthetics, Honesty and Integrity, and Security.  Of these 9, maybe I should re-order them.  How many should I comment on?  Which ones?  Should I also include my “bottom five” values?  What does all of this tell me about myself?

3.) The Self-Directed Search

My primary summary code is IAS.  The only occupation for that code that I was really interested in was Dictionary Editor, which has an education level of 6.  That would be kind of interesting.  I’ve always been interested in research, and I have heard about how much work goes into making the Oxford English Dictionary.  Maybe I could work in England!  Other similar codes are ISA, SAI, SIA, AIS, and ASI.  Other interesting occupations include . . . How many should I list here?  What does this tell me about myself?

The Research:

1.) College Professor

The most obvious possible major would be English.  This career seems to closely match my personality, values, and interests.  EXPLAIN HOW for each one.

2.) Physician

Possible majors include Chemistry, Biology, and English.  This career seems to match my personality and interests, but it clearly does NOT seem to match my values.  EXPLAIN HOW for each one.

3.) Chemist

Obvious possible majors include Chemistry and Biochemistry.  This career seems to match my personality, values, and interests.  EXPLAIN HOW.  However, I am ambivalent about this choice.  EXPLAIN WHY.  (It mostly has to do with the amount of lab work; if I could work in an office the majority of the time, doing the formulas and calculations, I would like it so much better.)

The Action Plan:

1.) Spring 2007:

I need to develop this paragraph.  I am going to take the following classes:

• American Literature II
• U.S. History II
• Calculus II
• Introduction to Music Appreciation

These choices make sense right now for a number of reasons.  First, I have already began the “sequences” for American Literature, U.S. History, and Calculus, so it makes sense to me to complete the sequence for each one.  The literature and history courses are important if I am going to major in English.  The calculus course is important if I am going to major in Chemistry.  The music appreciation course is needed for my Minnesota Transfer Curriculum to satisfy two requirements in Area 6.

2.) Summer 2007:

I need to develop this paragraph.

3.) Fall 2007:

I need to develop this paragraph.

Conclusion:

As I mentioned in my introduction, doing these three assessments and learning the results has been somewhat helpful for me.  The opportunity to review things I have already done and to see if there have been major changes in my personality, values, and interests has been interesting.  What has been most helpful is the time given to me throughout this process to stop and think about where I’m going and how I’m going to get there.  It would be very bad if I spent a lot of time and money preparing for something that I was essentially unsuited for.  It is better to make informed decisions rather than live with regret or not knowing for sure if I had done all I could at the time.  (Needs major revision!)