Former Students often ask for help with career assessments. Assessment tools are often utilized to identify and measure career interests and workplace values. One comprehensive source of career assessment has been assembled by the author of the New Your Times Best Selling Author of ‘What Color is Your Parachute’

Career Assessments

• HireAggies Job Board: This section of HireAggies provides access to job postings from companies and organizations that are specifically interested in hiring Texas A&M students and alumni. As a Job seeker you can compare your skills and experiences with the job descriptions, even if you don't meet all the stated qualifications. Submit your resumes and request informational interviews with contacts at the company.
• SIGI3 and Career Finder Assessments: These are two online assessment tools available through HireAggies that help users identify their career interests and values. The tools ask a series of questions to help users narrow down their career options and explore detailed descriptions of popular careers and industries.
• CareerShift: This tool allows users to search for jobs by industry or keyword and provides access to company contacts for possible informational interviews and company research information.
• "48 Days To the Work You Love" by Dan Miller: This book walks readers through a series of workshops designed to narrow down their interests and identify their dream job.
• "Designing Your Life" by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans: This book uses design theory to help readers explore their work-life needs and interests and build a career path aligned with their personal goals. The book provides tools, strategies, and resources to improve readers' experience of work during times of disruption.
• Dictionary of Occupational Titles and Occupational Outlook Handbook: These are resources provided by the US Department of Labor that offer descriptions of various industries and job options within those industries. Job seekers can use these resources to research potential careers and learn about market and industry trends.

Identify Your Goals

Are you simply surviving or are you thriving in your career? It's important to consider not just the quantity of your possessions, but also the quality of your work life. Here are some tips for finding a fulfilling career path:

• Identify Your Purpose: What work excites you? What would you do even if you weren't getting paid? Think about the kind of work that you're willing to push through the tough times to become the best in the world at it. Seek out work that makes a difference and provides value, and you'll likely find that income isn't a major concern.
• Change Your Routine: If you're having trouble identifying your purpose, try setting aside time each day to explore the variety of needs in the marketplace where you could make a positive impact. Discipline yourself to get away from distractions like social media and television, and invest that time in planning for your future.
• Research and Networking: Consider job descriptions for your desired career path and whether they require or prefer specific certifications or advanced degrees. Reach out to others who have earned those credentials to request informational interviews and ask about their experiences and perspectives. Use tools like LinkedIn, AggieNetwork.com, or CareerShift to help you identify potential contacts for those conversations.
• Gain Experience Through Volunteering: If you're having a hard time identifying your interests, consider volunteering for a community or charitable organization. Volunteering can provide valuable work experience that can be included on your resume when the activity aligns with the work you would perform for a prospective employer.