Last week I shared that I have a 15-year-old son, Donnie, whom we are trying to help find his ideal college. I shared my stories of the different activities and interests we have provided him to help see where his interests lie. I am sure as a parent you have done the same as well. You can click here if you missed that blog.
After years of providing different experiences, I could see Donnie as a teacher, chef, photographer, maybe something in music, or something with computers.
How do we pick the right career with such a wide range of interests? Even if we just focus on computers, there are so many different jobs. The job Donnie would truly enjoy may not require a computer science degree.
I had Donnie take the career assessment that I have all my clients take to help them identify careers they will enjoy.
Research shows that if your job contains at least 75% of what you naturally like to do, you will be THREE TIMES MORE SUCCESSFUL.
When you see that statement, it makes perfect sense. They only way to find those jobs is to take an assessment. You are not going to find it just by talking with people. The assessment I use, Harrison Assessments, is able to match people to jobs based on this research.
So what jobs did the assessment match Donnie to? His top four jobs are:
- Sound Equipment Technician
- Multi Media Production Specialist
- Lighting Technician
- Film Editor
Donnie’s natural interests fit best with these jobs. Each of the jobs listed are researched by people in those roles. We know what traits are needed to be successful in those roles and traits that might derail success. It’s all researched, backed information.
I might have said being a film editor would be something for Donnie to pursue without taking the assessment based on the one class project I mentioned in the last blog. I never would have guessed the other three jobs the assessment picked for him. How could I if he never had any kind of experience or activities in those areas?
Guess what his scores were for the jobs like teacher and chef? They were in the 20% range of him actually enjoying those jobs. I don’t want to even think about the money I could have wasted if he pursued education in those fields. No doubt, after a year or two, Donnie would say, “Mom, I hate studying to be a teacher (or chef). I can’t imagine having a career in it.”
In my next blog, I will share Donnie’s specific traits that matched well for his identified careers and why teacher and chef were not good matches for him. What traits does your child have that you think would lend well to a specific career? Tell us in the comments below.