Identify Your Personality before Determining Your Career

Since mid of 2006, EWRF has been providing a strong platform for upper secondary students to identify careers that would suit their personalities. As of 19 May 2007, EWRF had conducted a total of 11 ‘Career Guidance and Counseling’ workshops which were based on John Holland’s Theory, in 11 locations around the country. Most of the workshops were held in secondary schools.

John Holland is an American psychologist who devoted his professional life to researching issues related to career choice and satisfaction. He developed a well-known theory, and designed several assessments and supporting materials to assist people in making effective career choices. His theory and assessment tools have helped millions of people worldwide and are supported by hundreds of research studies.

Holland found that people in need of help with career decisions can be supported by understanding their resemblance to the following six ideal vocation personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.

Work settings can also be categorized by their resemblance to six similar model work environments. Because people search for environments that allow them to express their interests, skills, attitudes, and values, and take on interesting problems and agreeable roles, work environments become populated by individuals with related occupational personality types.

EWRF conducted the 10^th workshop in Kemayan on 18 May 2007 at Kemayan Vallalar Ashram and the 11^th workshop at SMK Ketari, Bentong on 19 May 2007. Both workshops received overwhelming responses from the students. A team of 4 EWRF officials and 3 volunteers were present to conduct the workshops.

In Kemayan, 130 students participated in the workshop. Mr Sathasivam, the chairman of the Ashram during his welcoming speech said that most students from remote areas like Kemayan, were not aware about their career paths and the ways and means of realizing their dream careers.” I strongly believe that this career guidance and counseling workshop will assist the students in identifying their personalities and careers”, added Mr Sathasivam who has been running the Ashram since it was founded in 1994. The Ashram has a conference hall, two seminar rooms, a cafeteria, meditation hall and hostel.

Mr Manikam Krishnan, the EWRF Manager, gave a brief introduction on EWRF before the start of program since a majority of the participants were not aware of EWRF and its dedicated services to the community.

The actual session started at 6.30pm. Mr Daniel, the EWRF Officer in charge of workshops, facilitated the entire workshop with the help of his colleagues. Mr Daniel briefed the students on six types of personalities. He said that ‘Realistic’ people create a ‘Realistic’ environment. For example, they particularly value people who are practical and mechanical, who are good at working with tools, drawings, machines or animals.

‘Investigative’ people particularly value people who are precise, scientific and intellectual, who are good at understanding and solving science and math problems like architects, biologists, dentists and surveyors.’ Artistic’ people value people who are expressive, original and independent, who have good artistic abilities in creative writing, drama, crafts, music or art such as dancers, actors, book editors, graphic designers and composers.

‘Social’   people are helpful, friendly, and trustworthy and are good at teaching, counseling, nursing, giving information and solving social problems. ‘Enterprising’ people are energetic, ambitious and sociable and are good at politics, leading people and at selling things or ideas. ‘Conventional’ people are good at working with written records and numbers in a systematic, orderly way like secretaries, typists, bookkeepers and bank tellers.

After briefing the students on the personalities, Daniel and his colleagues guided the students who took part in four types of card activities namely identifying values, hobbies, occupations and skills which help determine one’s character and career path.

Later the participants identified their careers based on their highest scores that they obtained through the card activities. Finally the participants were counseled on action plans that have to be taken in order to realize their dream careers.

EWRF had the same sessions during the workshop at SMK Ketari. Mr Shanmugam from SMK Ketari took initiative to organize the workshop for his school students and for students from neighboring schools.

19 more workshops will be conducted in various parts of the country before the end of September 2007.