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Career Planning: Choose Your Path

Explore Self Assessment Tools

🧠 What Are Career Self-Assessments?

Not sure where to start with your career journey? That’s totally normal—and that’s where career self-assessments come in! These tools help you figure out what makes you you—your interests, skills, values, and preferences—so you can explore careers that actually fit who you are.

🔍 How Do They Work?

Most self-assessments are short quizzes or surveys that ask about:

  • What you enjoy doing
  • What matters most to you at work
  • What you're naturally good at

They won’t tell you exactly what job to do—but they will give you insight into what types of careers might be a great match for your personality and goals.

💡 Think of them as a starting point to help you explore options that feel exciting and meaningful—not just jobs that pay the bills.

🧭 Explore the Career Self-Assessments on This Site

Use the tabs at the top of this page to try out different assessments:

  • 🎯 Interests Assessment – What kinds of work do you enjoy?
  • 💼 Values Assessment – What matters most to you in a job?
  • 🛠️ Aptitude/Skills Assessment – What are you naturally good at?
  • 🔄 Transferable Skills – What skills can you bring to different careers?

We recommend trying all of them to get a full picture of your career personality. Then, connect with a Career Services representative to talk through your results and explore your next steps.

🔍 Find a Career That Fits You

Not sure what career path to take? Start with what you love! When your job matches your interests, work feels more exciting—and you're more likely to succeed.

🎯 Why Take an Interest Assessment?

Interest assessments help you discover careers that align with your passions. You’ll answer a few questions about what you enjoy (and what you don’t), and get matched with careers that fit your preferences, skills, and interests.

🚀 Ready to Explore? Try These Tools:

1. CareerOneStop's Interest Assessment 
🧠 Quick & easy: Just 30 questions!
🎯 Get a personalized list of careers that match your interests.

2 .O*NET Interest Profiler on My Next Move
🔍 A deeper dive with 60 questions.
📋 Explore detailed career options based on your responses.

🎨 What Are Holland Codes—and Why Do They Matter?

Ever heard of Holland Codes? You’ll probably come across them in career-related assignments, your academic program, or while exploring career options. They’re a fun and helpful way to understand your personality and match it with careers that fit your style. Holland Codes can help you determine how your interests relate to real-world jobs. 

Learn more about Holland Codes, which you will find on the results from career planning tools and research.

💼 Why Do Work Values Matter?

Your work values are the things that matter most to you in a job—beyond just a paycheck. They reflect your beliefs about what makes work meaningful, satisfying, and worth doing. Think of them as your personal compass for career decisions. Whether it’s achievement, flexibility, teamwork, or growth, your values help guide you toward a career that feels right.

🌟 Why It’s Worth Exploring Your Work Values

1. Get More Satisfaction from Your Career
When your job aligns with your values, work feels more meaningful. You’ll be more motivated, more fulfilled, and better equipped to plan a career path that fits you.

2. Find a Workplace That Fits You
Not all companies share the same values. Knowing yours helps you find organizations that match your vibe—and avoid ones that don’t. That means better job satisfaction, more success, and even faster promotions.

✅ Ready to Discover Your Work Values?

Try the  Work Values Matcher Assessment Tool to explore what matters most to you in a career.

🧭 What Motivates You at Work?

Edgar Schein identified eight key areas that shape how people feel about their jobs and workplaces. These go beyond just salary—they’re about what makes work meaningful and motivating for you.

🌟 The 8 Work Motivation Areas:

  1. Opportunity – Are there chances to grow, learn, and move up in your career?
  2. Security – Do you feel stable and supported in your job?
  3. Purpose – Does your work feel meaningful or connected to something bigger?
  4. Compensation – Are you fairly rewarded for your time and effort?
  5. Technical Achievement – Do you get to use your skills and feel proud of what you accomplish?
  6. Stimulation – Is your work interesting, challenging, and engaging?
  7. Autonomy – Do you have freedom to make decisions and work independently?
  8. Authority – Do you have influence or leadership responsibilities?

💡 Why it matters: When your job reflects these values, you’re more likely to feel fulfilled, motivated, and successful.

🛠️ What Careers Align With Skills You Already Have?

Good news—you already have skills that can lead to awesome career opportunities! Your skills are what you’re good at and what you enjoy doing. You build them through school, jobs, internships, volunteering, and even hobbies. Knowing your skills helps you answer big questions like:

  • What can I bring to a job?
  • How can I solve problems for an employer?

💡 Types of Skills You Use at Work

There are three main types of skills employers look for:

  1. Job-Specific Skills - These are unique to a certain role or company. You might be able to transfer them, but they’re often tailored to a specific job.

  2. Technical (Hard) Skills - These are learned through training, education, or hands-on experience. Think coding, graphic design, welding, or data analysis. You can gain these through classes, internships, or even volunteering.

  3. Professional (Essential) Skills - Also called “soft skills,” these include communication, teamwork, and time management. They’re all about how you work with others—and they’re super valuable in any job.

🔍 Discover Careers That Match Your Skills

Ready to explore what careers fit your current skill set? Try these tools:

🔄 What Are Transferable Skills?

Transferable skills (aka “portable skills”) are the talents and abilities you can take with you from one job—or even one industry—to another. They’re valuable because they show employers what you’re capable of, no matter where you’ve worked before. Whether you’ve led a group project, volunteered, worked part-time, or been active on campus—you already have transferable skills that employers want! You build them through school, work, volunteering, clubs, and even everyday life—sometimes without even realizing it!

These skills help you stand out when applying for jobs, writing resumes, and answering interview questions. They show employers what you’re capable of, no matter your background.

💡 Why They Matter

Employers love transferable skills because they show you're adaptable, resourceful, and ready to contribute. Whether you're switching majors, changing industries, or applying for your first job, these skills help you connect your past experiences to new opportunities.

When applying for jobs, especially in a new field, your transferable skills help you answer questions like:

  • What can you bring to this role?
  • How have you solved problems or led teams before?

They’re also key when writing your resume, cover letter, and during interviews.

🎓 Transferable Skills You’ve Gained in College

College isn’t just about academics—it’s also where you build real-world skills that employers love. Here are some examples:

  • 🗣️ Communication
    Verbal, written, and non-verbal skills—plus the ability to connect with people from all backgrounds.

  • 🤝 Teamwork
    Working with others, sharing ideas, and respecting different perspectives.

  • 🧠 Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
    Finding solutions, making decisions, and using research to tackle challenges.

  • 🌟 Leadership
    Leading projects, motivating others, and showing initiative—even if you’re not the boss.

  • 🎨 Flexibility & Creativity
    Adapting to change and thinking outside the box to solve problems or improve processes.

🧰 Examples of Transferable Skills

Here are just a few categories of transferable skills—and examples you might already have:

🧠 Thinking & Decision-Making

  • Problem solving
  • Making decisions
  • Implementing ideas
  • Forecasting and planning

  • 🗣️ Communication & Collaboration

  • Public speaking
  • Writing clearly
  • Facilitating group discussions
  • Listening and giving feedback
  • Building relationships

  • 👥 Working with People

  • Mentoring and teaching

  • 🎨 Creativity & Artistic Expression

  • Presenting ideas
  • Drawing, performing, or designing
  • Imagining alternatives

  • 📊 Data & Organization

  • Analyzing and evaluating information
  • Budgeting and record keeping
  • Organizing and setting deadlines

  • 🛠️ Hands-On & Technical Skills

  • Operating tools or machines
  • Repairing or assembling things
  • Using complex equipment

  • 🌟 Personal Traits Employers Value

  • Dependable
  • Flexible
  • Self-motivated
  • Hard-working
  • Friendly and enthusiastic
  •  
  • Counseling or helping others
  • Negotiating and persuading
  • Supervising or leading teams

🚀 How to Use Your Transferable Skills

Before applying for a job:

  • Think about your past experiences—classes, clubs, jobs, internships.
  • Identify the skills you used and how they helped you succeed.
  • Match those skills to what employers are looking for in job descriptions.

Include them on your employment documents and in your interview conversations:

  • On your resume: Highlight skills that match the job description.
  • In your cover letter: Share stories that show how you’ve used these skills.
  • During interviews: Talk about how your skills helped you succeed in past roles or projects

🧭 Explore Tools to Help You Identify Your Transferable Skills