"Workforce Education at Green River was VERY instrumental in allowing me to go back to school, and I'm grateful for all the assistance I received and continue to receive." - Genie L, Green River Student

"Make sure you talk to Workforce Education...They can help in many ways to make things go smoothly and make sense." - Chris S, Green River Student

"Workforce Education...will embrace you and lend a helping hand with open hearts." Elsie Q, Green River Student

"Workforce Education has been there for me since day one!" - Jenny S, Green River student

May 24, 2010

Take A Career Assessment

Clients who visit the Workforce Education Office to apply for funding know they're in need of retraining, but not all of them are always sure what occupation they want to retrain for.  If that sounds like you, know that Green River provides a variety of tools that can help you select an occupation / career that fits your needs, interests, and strengths. 

Specifically, Green River offers three different professional career assessments to aid students in their search for fulfilling future careers.  These assessments include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Strong Interest Inventory (SII), and StrengthsQuest. 

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can help you determine what type of career would fit your personality.  According to greenriver.edu, the MBTI has been used for more than 50 years and is the most trusted personality tool available today.  In a nutshell it helps you:
  • Identify careers that might fit and satisfy you
  • Improve individual and team performance
  • Develop your leadership style
  • Idenitfy your personality type
The Strong Interest Inventory can help you determine which occupation most closely aligns with your interests. According to greenriver.edu, the SII has been used for nearly 80 years to guide students in their search for a rich and fulfilling line of work.  This assessment helps you:
  • Pinpoint the most satisfying career choice for you
  • Measure your interest in 6 general occupational themes
  • Find your fit in relation to 122 diverse occupations
Last of all, StrengthsQuest can help you determine what you do better than the next 1,000 people.  In other words, this particular assessment helps students identify, and thus play off of, their strengths. It is an innovate online assessment that looks at how you naturally think, relate with people, and influence those around you.  With StrengthsQuest, you can:
  • Discover and develop your 5 greatest strengths
  • Use your strengths to improve your grades and increase learning
  • Strategically determine a rewarding career path
  • Focus on your strengths rathen than on your weaknesses
Deciding on a career is an important, life-altering choice.  Don't just follow your gut.  Make an informed choice.  Analyzing your local job market, talking to career advisors and faculty members at the college, and engaging in a bit of self-exploration with the aid of professional career assessments, can help you achieve focus and direction.  And if you have focus and direction, chances are you'll be more successfull as a student. 

In sum, if you're in need of retraining but are uncertain of what occupation to retrain for, taking one or a mix of these assessments might help steer you in the right direction.  All three assessments can be purchased and taken at the Zgolinski Welcome Center.  Green River charges students $20 per assessment and non-students $40 per assessment.

Can't afford to purchase an assessment?  Visit the Workforce Education Office in SMT 229 to receive a waiver to take the Strong Interest Inventory at no cost.  Just ask the front desk assistant for a free career assessment.