It is not uncommon for college students to change majors, but a career aptitude test can help an undecided student focus on a future career.
Although these tests are mainly given to high school and college students, these tests also apply to professionals unhappy with their current profession.
LSU Career Services offers a variety of tests that evaluate an individual’s abilities and interests such as the Career Occupational Preference System, Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator, Choosing a Major Workshop and Career Discovery, said Career Services counselor Arronza Azard.
The COPS test analyzes a person’s interests and abilities to create a list of possible career options, Azard said. The Meyers-Briggs test combines natural talents as well as natural interests and directs students toward careers that suit both their personality and abilities.
After taking the tests, counselors interpret them and work with the person to narrow down their career choices.
“An interactive group assessment, True Colors, is designed to reveal how aspects of your temperament relate to career satisfaction,” Azard said.
“I chose to take the COPS test because I had no idea what I wanted to do, and I needed to know my options because I was a sophomore,” said Abby Chapman, a Spanish junior. “The test didn’t really tell me anything new, but it helped me confirm the career options that are compatible with my personality and keep me on the right track career-wise.”
Career Services offers these tests because they are also ideal for students who have taken core classes at the University and still are unsure of their future careers, said undecided sophomore Dawya Wilson.
Taking the tests help narrow down the vast career possibilities that a large university such as LSU offers, Wilson said.
“I was completely undecided before I took these tests, but [the tests] made it so easy to narrow down what I wanted to do,” Wilson said. “COPS especially helped me combine my interests and select my major.”
Wilson’s two highest “peaks” of capability were consumer economics and service, professional. Because COPS produces so many of the individual’s areas of strength, Wilson had the ability to choose strengths based upon her personal interests as well as her skills.
“I didn’t care for any of the possible jobs in consumer economics, though I scored highest in this field,” Wilson said.
Currently majoring in general studies and minoring in psychology, sociology and community studies, Wilson plans to go to graduate school and concentrate on one of her majors.
The COPS and Meyers-Briggs tests are available to LSU students, faculty and staff for $10, and alumni can take the tests for $25. The tests are $160 to the general public. Career Discovery is free to anyone interested. A schedule of possible testing times is available at the Career Services office in B-1 Coates Hall.