The End of the Job Search: Mastering the Art of Career Design
Career self-assessment is a vital part of engaging in career planning and professional development with intentionality-making informed decisions instead of wandering aimlessly through your career without goals. The process of gathering information about oneself should be the first step in making an informed career decision. Making a well thought-out career choice is the most important thing you can do to ensure a successful and fulfilling work life.
Career assessment tools exist in various forms and are instruments designed to guide you in this self-assessment process. Valuable for firsttime job seekers, career-changers and individuals returning to the workforce, career assessment tools will help focus your efforts and resources to increase the success of your job search and career planning. It is always helpful to engage in periodic self-assessment as your needs and desires change to ensure that your career will continue to flourish.
The PDI has designed a self-assessment tool specifically for the early childhood workforce adapted from the book Careers with Young Children: Making Your Decision by Judith Seaver. This brief survey helps individuals assess their personality traits, values, skills, likes and dislikes as it pertains to working with, or in the interest of, young children. Individuals can then utilize the results from the survey to explore career options in early childhood.
Keep in mind that all self-assessment tools have limits and should be utilized in conjunction with other supports as part of a well-rounded career planning strategy. Be sure to consult a career counseling professional to help place your assessment results in perspective and develop a plan for taking "next steps."
Visit the Career Development Services Center on our website at www.earlychidhoodnyc.org to take the Decision Survey and schedule an appointment with one of our Career Advisors. It may be that one small step on your career path that makes the biggest difference!
