CAREER ORIENTATION

UNIT 2SELF-AWARENESS

What are your thoughts? “Hide not your

talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?” Benjamin Franklin

Take a few minutes and write down your thoughts to the following quote.

Interests, Aptitudes, and Abilities…Who Needs Them?

YOU DO!!!!!!!!!!

Why identify interests, aptitudes, and abilities?

Find out what career you may be interested in

Unique to all Use them to do your

best as an employee Can help identify life

goals Use to make career

decisions with your career portfolio Collection of information

about oneself

Interests Interest

A thing a person enjoys doing or thinking about

Everyone’s interests are different May be based on self-

concept The way in which a

person views his/her self-worth

Play key role in finding the right career

Those who find their jobs interesting, are more likely to be successful and happy.

Types of Interests People

Teacher Social worker Medical field

Data Computer

programmer Accountant

Objects Construction worker Fashion designer

How can I find out my interests? Take an interest

inventory An assessment that

helps people identify their interest areas

Aptitudes Aptitude

The natural ability or potential for learning new skills

Natural talents Help with career

success May be self-

discovered or discovered by others

How can I discover my aptitudes? Take an aptitude

assessment A personal evaluation

Complete a learning style assessment Natural method or way

one thinks or learns Most widely used

includes 11 basic aptitudes

Does not have right/wrong answers

Abilities How well you do

something General or specific Abilities may be

aptitudes that have developed and improved over time Skill

The ability to perform a certain activity well

Different jobs requires different abilities

Values Personal

standards by which one lives

Life values Represent what is

important to you in life

Work values Represent what is

important to you in work

Where do you learn values? Family Friends Religion Culture Education Environment

Examples of Values Pride Popularity Friendship Peace Family Power Career Love Respect

Caring Fairness Honesty Integrity Self-discipline Trustworthiness Rights Responsibilities

Values to Think About in Relation to Careers

Money Independence Security Education Creative Make changes in your

community Regular schedule High profile, or being

recognized Putting personal life

ahead of job Being a leader

Conflict of Values May experience in your

career When you hold one or

more values that you can’t stay true to at the same time

Ex. If you value spending

with family, will you take a job that requires you to travel and rarely be at home?

Personality Traits Personality

The combination of attitude, values, interests, and behaviors that identify a person

Help you get ideas about what you should do rather than simply pondering what you want to do

More often than not, if you choose a career that doesn't suit your personality you become confused, unhappy and burned out.

Personality Traits Examples:

Loyal Ambitious Caring Cooperative Decisive Flexible Focused Honest Mature Open-minded

Examples with careers: Artistic

Graphic designer Landscape architect

Competitive Manager

Hands-on Pilot Electrician

Lifestyle A typical way of life May be influenced by

a person’s identity The personality or

activity by which a person is known

Ex. If your identity is based

on your career as a doctor your lifestyle may include more expensive items …houses, cars, clothes, etc.

Factors that influence lifestyle Single/married Children/no children Live at home/live on

own Disease /illness Habits

Procrastination Putting off doing things

or making decisions Activity level

Reflection How will your

lifestyle affect your career choice?

How will your career choice affect your lifestyle?