Get to know yourself: Psychometric Evaluation & Session with a professional

1. You have the potential to succeed.
   Thinking and acting creatively will be the key to success in the 21st century. Each one of us has the potential to succeed in life. Most of us choose careers based on self-concept, self-worth, desired income, background etc.
    
   Sometimes we compromise and sacrifice and activity we love, to do work that pays more or that gains us the approval of other people. Sometimes we don’t know whom to turn to for answers. Without guidance and relying on only human intuition and guesswork, the future may seem very scary – with scarcity of jobs, unemployment, and frustration being the only future available.

2. Self-discovery via – psychometric testing.
   View your search for self-development as an adventure of discovery. Learn as much as possible about the person who is most important to you – YOURSELF. For example, this could relate to the fact that we don’t know what career to choose, or where we should further our studies, or whether we would like to travel and study.
    
   The choice is yours. Remember, this is your life and your future that we are talking about. You are going to be the one who has to be happy with the future you decide for yourself. The key to unlocking your potential and choosing a career path that is right for you, is to spend some time getting to know yourself.
    
   The better understand yourself, the more likely you will be able to make a wise career choice. Remember self-knowledge is an unfolding process. No person ever know himself/herself totally and perfectly. Self-knowledge will allow you to gain insight into who you really are so that you can choose what is right for you.
    
   Things you need to know about yourself in order to make the right career decisions, are:
   • Your personal qualities (the things which make you unique)
   • Your abilities and aptitudes (that which you can do)
   • Your interests (that which you enjoy doing)
   • Your aspirations (the goals that you would like to achieve)
   • Your needs (the requirements you have)
   • And your values (that which you believe in doing) 

1. Steps in choosing a career.
   • First:
     Do research into careers. Young people need to acquire a clear understanding of the world of work. There are many choices and a common weakness is to think that you know it all. Work shadowing can be helpful in gaining a realistic idea of what a job involves. Career sites on the internet can also be a valuable resource of information.
      
   • Second:
     Self-knowledge is critical. It is vital that you have a realistic overview of your abilities, and have given thought to your values, interests and personality.
      
   • Third:
     Timing is of the essence. It is too late to start thinking about a career direction halfway through the matric year. Start early.
      
   • Fourth:
     When the time for decision nears, you should inundate yourself with facts from every university or technikon. Make three piles – yes, maybe and definitely not. It is not good writing matric with the uncertainty of “I am not sure what to do.”
      
   • Fifth:
     Remember the common sense of saying that when you are sick you should consult a doctor. If you are thinking of becoming an accountant, speak to accountants.

• Do a self-study and built up self-knowledge (career choice).
• Choose a career path that suits you.
• Choose a career path that has different options and opportunities.
• Ask yourself why you have chosen that career.
• Try to get exposure to the world of work.
• Find out whether people are actually needed in the career field that interests you.
• Ascertain whether your matric subjects will allow you entry into your chosen field.