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To Know Thy Career, First Know Thyself

© Deborah Lapoint

We are each unique. We flourish through developing our potential as individuals and by finding authentic avenues for self-expression. Ideally, we will have opportunities for personal satisfaction and meaning in our careers. However, our traditional method of occupational selection has a major limitation: we often focus exclusively on aspects of the occupation (eg. duties, wages, advancement) but ignore important qualities of the human being who will be spending much of his or her waking hours on the job.

The ideal job will express not only our training and skills, but also our innate talents and personality. It will bring pride, self-respect and energy. It should not require us to spend large quantities of time doing tasks contrary to our nature. So how do we discover this optimal career?

Quality career planning is about careful and complete information-gathering, not only about the world of work, but also about ourselves. The key to effective career choice is blending well-researched occupational data with a sound understanding of our unique strengths, personality, values, preferences, and talents. Of course, it is important to know which industries are growing fastest, what types of businesses offer stability and growth in a given community, as well as critical information about the wages and entry-level requirements for a given occupation. But this is not enough to choose a vocational path to self fulfillment. To this end, vital questions about oneself should also be considered. For example:

• In my work, would I rather have harmony or competition?
• Am I more practical and organized, or interested in abstractions and theories?
• Do I get energized by being with other people or by spending time alone?
• Would I rather do what I already know well, or learn new skills?
• Which do I value more: down-to-earth common sense or the fruits of imagination?
• Am I happier when my options are open or after decisions have been made?

  Effective career exploration provides answers whether we are seeking help in planning educational goals, or are considering career change. Assessment of our own unique constellation of personality style, occupational interests, aptitudes, etc. provides crucial self-knowledge.

  There are many personality tests and career interest inventories available on the Web that can help provide key insights (and just plain fun). Here are a few worthwhile sites to get you started:

• Keirsey Temperament and Character Website - This online personality questionaire, based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, is widely used by career guidance counselors to help people find the types of careers that best fit their individual temperaments.

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