Module 1: Career and Interest Assessments

Assessments are valuable tools for self-discovery. They can help you identify patterns in your interests, values, personality, and strengths, but they are not designed to tell you the "right" major or career. Instead, assessments are most valuable when used as a starting point for self-reflection, exploration, and meaningful conversations about your future. 

This module will help you explore career assessments, reflect on your results, and discuss how your interests, strengths, and values may relate to your academic and career goals.

  Resources

• CU Career Services Assessments and Activities
  • Career Values Card Sort and/or SparkPath Challenge Cards
    • 10-15 minutes per exercise, plus more for reflection.
• O*NET Interest Profiler
  • Riasectest.com - Understanding Your RIASEC Test Results

  Homework

• Mentee: Complete the Career Values Card Sort and/or SparkPath Challenge Cards. Review the results, reflect, and keep results for discussion.
• Mentee (optional for Mentor): Complete the O*NET Interest Profiler and read Understanding Your RIASEC Test Results. Be prepared to share your RIASEC combination and whether you think it accurately reflects your career interests.

  Discussion

• Discuss assessment results and reflections.
  • Did any of the answers or results surprise you? Why or why not?
  • Which results felt the most accurate? Were there any that didn't seem to fit? Why?
  • How do your assessment results compare with the careers you're currently considering? Did it give you any new ideas? 
  • What strengths, interests, or values stood out to you? How have you seen those show up in your classes, work, or extracurricular experiences?
  • Based on what you learned, what is one thing you'd like to explore during this mentorship program?

  Extra Credit

• MenteeL MySkills Undergrad – AI Skills Extractor and/or MySkills Education Abroad – AI Skills Extractor.
• Mentee: Set up an appointment with a CU Career Counselor to discuss assessment results. There are several other assessments which students can access, but require setting up an appointment with a career advisor (ex: CliftonStrengths). 
• Mentor: If a CU Boulder alumnus, check out what Alumni Career Services resources are available to you (free career advising, Career Academy, etc.).
• Mentee: Listen to “What Career Should I Choose” – Maria Jose Hidalgo Flores (Apple Podcasts or Spotify)

  Before You Begin: Getting Started Module 2: Goals and Planning