an easy-to-take tool that allows you to gain insight into your skills and interests and discover career “matches” that fit. Dr. John Holland developed this assessment that suggests that both people and work environments can be classified according to 6 basic types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social Enterprising and Conventional (RIASEC). Research has shown that people whose job and work environments most closely match their personal style and interests consider themselves satisfied and successful with the occupational choices they have made.

uses (SDS) Summary Codes to successfully guide leisure time. Individuals determine their Summary Codes and then search the LAF for activities that match their codes. You will find a comprehensive listing of over 750 activities from which to choose.

is used in career counseling to assist you in understanding how your personality preferences can help you decide what you want to do and how to improve your chances of getting what you want. The MBTI was developed by Isabel Myers and Katharine Briggs as a measure of Dr. Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types. Results provide you with information on career options, potential strengths associated with their type, as well as workplace needs.

evolved from research done by Howard Gardner, Ph.D. The checklist is designed to evaluate the way a person thinks and learns based on life experiences in childhood and the present time. Strengths are identified and associated with nine intelligences. Sample professions are listed under each intelligence area. This tool helps you put their full range of abilities “to work”.

are acquired through life and work experiences, as well as education. Every job requires certain skills. Discovering and developing skills is essential to career success. There are a variety of skills exercises, including Skillscan. and other activities to help you identify the skills you have and most enjoy using. The skills you find you have can be the foundation upon which you are likely to build your career. You can also learn to evaluate how well you skills match the skills needed in various jobs.

are often the determining factors when making career decisions. The Review of Work Values has statements reflecting values associated with occupational choices such as achievement, leadership, creativity, security and adventure, to name a few. You give a numeric value to each of the statements to rate the degree of importance it would have in bringing you career satisfaction. Results show clearly the value you place on certain conditions within a workplace setting. This inventory can be quite revealing to you, enabling you to reflect on what conditions are most important in your work.

is used to determine the amount of interest in 24 occupational groups. This tool can help you recognize patterns of career interests and can help you identify and explore additional career clusters from the Occupational Outlook Handbook listings.

is a 99-item educational assessment instrument that covers 20 separate lifestyle and attitudinal factors that are arranged into six sub-sections, or what are called “life arenas.” It provides a personal, practical, and relevant self-portrait of the overall lifestyle needs of persons who are contemplating a transition from their current full time work into their idea of retirement . The Profile is taken over the internet and is appropriate with corporate and organizational groups in training and educational settings. The inventory generates a 10 page personal document that gives short descriptions of each of the 20 factors that are applicable to that particular participant.

the RSP provides you with a personal inventory of 15 factors that impact one's readiness and preparedness for
this lifestyle change. You will discover the areas which are strengths for you as well as those which may need your additional energy and concentrated focus. Then you can purposefully plan for retirement, enjoying those things that are in place and knowing where you may need to take action. I would consider retirement, but the thought of a change is unsettling. At least now I know what to expect every day