SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

PERSONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Quarter 2 – Module 4:
Persons and Careers
 MODULE 4:
Persons and Careers

Big Question: How do personal/internal factors influence your career choices?

Objectives:
At the end of the module, you will be able to:
1. explain that understanding of the concepts of career and life goals can help in
planning your career,
2. identify the personal factors influencing career choices, and
3. take a self-assessment tool to know your personality traits and other personal
factors in relation to your goals.

Reading: TEN MYTHS ABOUT CAREER PLANNING BUSTED

From procrastinating to submitting oneself to inadequate information, Suchitra Surve,
Director, Growth Centre identifies the 10 common myths about choosing a career and tells you
why it will affect you in the long run.
Keep in mind that the road to career happiness is usually full of bumps, curves and tangents
rather than a straight, direct path from point A to point B. While peer pressure and post-study
placements could be major influences affecting your decision at 16, there are those who end up
regretting their decisions even when they are 30.
So, what are the mistakes young people make while deciding their careers? Where exactly
are they going wrong? What can you do to avoid getting into a situation like that? Read on to dispel
some common career myths.
Myth 1: Arts/humanities majors usually are unemployable after college
Fact: Skills matter in every stream

Humanities majors usually provide training in basic areas called transferable skills such as
interpersonal communication, writing, research, and critical thinking. Transferable skills indicate
those skills that are learned in one area can be readily utilized in a wide range of other areas. These
skills that one learns are sought after by many employers. Arts majors are employed in a wide
range of careers. Although humanities graduate sometimes take more time finding a "niche" in the
working world, it's usually because they don't know what they can or want to do or they are not
aware of the options available to them. So, do not assume that a certain stream will open up your
opportunities for the future.
Myth 2: Selecting what's 'hot' at the moment is safe
Fact: What's hot today may not necessarily be 10/20 years later

Selecting a major or pursuing a career just because it's hot can be dangerous. There are two
things you must understand before opting for this approach. First, what is 'hot' today may cool
down, or disappear completely, in the near future. Secondly, such a choice fails to take into account
the interests and abilities of the student, or the kind of environment in which they are most likely
to succeed. But career satisfaction involves far more than simply being able to do a particular job
-- it requires interest, commitment and passion. These are far better indicators for career choice
than any fad of the moment. New career fields and jobs emerge every year as a result of changes
in public policy, technology, and economic trends. Therefore, you are on much firmer ground
when you select a career goal that genuinely interests you.
Myth 3: Career assessments / counselors will not be of any use for me
Fact: You must know what your aptitude is before choosing a career
 Psychometric Assessments (Aptitude Test) can provide additional information that may be
helpful as a part of the career planning process. Assessments would provide a clear idea as to one
aptitude, strengths and weakness and their mental capabilities, which aids in selecting a career, but
with thorough brainstorming with the career counselor, who can chalk out various career options
based on the match between the student profile and the career. Of course, it’s up to you whether
you want to pursue what the counselor advises you to, but do not skip this step.
Myth 4: If X is happy in a particular field, I will be happy too
Fact: You are not X

Everyone is different and what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another,
even if that other person is someone with whom you have a lot in common. If someone you know
has a career that interests you try and get more details about the career in terms of the job
description, the skills required and market demand of the career. Then match the description with
your traits and then make a choice. Be aware that what you like may not necessarily be a good fit
for you.
Myth 5: If I wait long enough, luck will eventually bring me to the right career
Fact: Procrastination is no substitute for laziness

It is unlikely that you will just “bump into” the occupation that will perfectly match your
skills and interests. The more information you gather about yourself and the occupations you are
considering, the more likely it is you will make a wise career decision. It is true that some things
beyond your control will influence your life, but you must take an active role to determine your
own fate. Look around you – those people who are unhappy in their careers most likely just “fell
into” something without careful planning. Do you want the same thing to happen to your career
graph? So think wisely and plan the process.
Myth 6: Making a lot of money will make me happy
Fact: The ingredients of fulfilling career also includes passion and commitment to growth

While salary is important, it isn’t the only factor you should look at when choosing a career.
Countless surveys have shown that money doesn’t necessarily lead to job satisfaction. For many
people enjoying what they do at work is much more important.
Myth 7: Once I choose a career I’ll be stuck in it forever
Fact: You are never too old to switch careers

Not true. If you are unsatisfied in your career for any reason, you can always change.
Discussing your interests with knowledgeable people who could guide you towards another career
could land you in a satisfying job profile. Remember just being in a job without a lack of interests
would hamper your performance. So it would be better if you make a wise choice later. Many
people do change careers several times over the course of their lifetimes.
Myth 8: If I change careers my skills will be wasted
Fact: Being multi-skilled allows you to learn and adapt accordingly

It is true that certain jobs require some specialized skill set. But note that mostly jobs
require a common type of skills which most of the individuals possess. Your skills are yours to
keep. You may not use them in the exactly same way, but they won’t be wasted.
Myth 9: I will decide after the results are out
Fact: Impulsive decisions lack planning and direction

Though one can keep options, but having a sound academic background always proves
beneficial while making a career. The two years of Junior college (class 11 and 12) are vey
essential as they form a base for a particular career. One cannot ignore the knowledge gained whilst
studying. Deciding after graduation sometimes leads to impulsive decisions as, the earlier
educational qualification may not be applicable to the area of work that you plan to pursue in later
life. Planning in advance prepares you better to deal with the If-and-Or situations better.
Myth 10: I love this hobby, but I don’t think I can make money out of it
Fact: If you love what you do, you will not feel like you are working

An oft repeated line, it explains why part-time hobbies like cooking, photography and
design that were once pursued during weekends are now being pursued as full time careers. And
most of these hobby-turned vocations pay really well if pursued professionally. If your hobby
becomes a career, then there’s nothing stopping you from being satisfied in your job and life. So,
go ahead and make a wise choice.
Source:http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-career-10-myths-about-career-
planning busted/20120430.htm#1

Activity 1: Career Wheel

Write about your career wheel. Answer the following questions:
1. How did you go about naming events, situations, needs and facts about
yourself? Were there challenges in doing this? If so, what are these
challenges?
2. Looking at these many facets in your life, which among them do you think
are major considerations when deciding on future career options? Why
would you consider these as a source of great impact?
3. Which are the areas that will really work to your advantage in relation to
the career options that you are considering? How will these impact your
choices?
4. What are your realizations after this exercise?

I can clean
has a a fish nicely
business I can ride
a bike

self-employe tan skin

d parents color

Skills/

i always praising
smile and saints
laugh

and

dress like
a girl
music
and arts

has act girly

enough
friends

having
stable powers
wearing
a
glittery
gown
Reading: SUPER’S CAREER DEVELOPMENT THEORY
Donald Super influenced the idea that developing a sense of self and realize that you change
over time is important when planning your career.
One of Donald Super's greatest contributions to career development has been his emphasis
on the importance of the development of self-concept. According to Super, self- concept changes
over time, and develops as a result of experience. As such, career development is lifelong.
Super developed the theories and work of colleague Eli Ginzberg. Ginzberg’s theory
enumerated three stages in a person’s career development: Fantasy (from birth to 11 years old),
Tentative (from 11-17 years old), and Realistic (after age 17). Super thought that Ginzberg’s work
had weaknesses, which he wanted to address. Super extended Ginzberg’s life and career
development stages from three to five, and included different sub stages.
Super argues that occupational preferences and competencies, along with an individual’s
life situations, all change with time and experience. Super developed the concept of vocational
maturity, which may or may not correspond to chronological age: people cycle through each of
these stages when they go through career transitions.
Super’s five life and career development stages

Stage Age Characteristics

Growth birth-14 Development of self-concept, attitudes, needs and
general world of work
Exploration 15-24 "Trying out" through classes, work hobbies.
Tentative choice and skill development
Establishment 25-44 Entry-level skill building and stabilization through
work experience
Maintenance 45-64 Continual adjustment process to improve position

Decline 65+ Reduced output, prepare for retirement

Developmental tasks at these different stages

Life stage Adolescence Early adulthood Middle adulthood Late adulthood

14-25 25- 45- 65+
45 65
Decline Giving less Reducing sports Focusing on Reducing
time participation essentials working
to hobbies hours
Maintenance Verifying Making Holding one's own Keeping what
current occupational against one enjoys
occupational position secure competition
choice
Establishmen Getting started Settling down in a Developing new Doing things one
t in a chosen suitable position skills has wanted to do
field
Exploration Learning more Finding desired Identifying new Finding a good
about opportunity tasks to work on retirement place
opportunities
Growth Developing a Learning to relate Accepting one's Developing and
realistic self- to others own limitations valuing non-
concept occupational
roles
 Super states that in making a vocational choice individuals are expressing their self-
concept, or understanding of self, which evolves over time. People seek career satisfaction through
work roles in which they can express themselves and further implement and develop their self-
concept.
Source: http://www.careers.govt.nz/practitioners/career-practice/career-theory-models/supers-
theory/

Activity 2: SKILLS ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET

Transferrable Skills generally are not associated with a particular
job or task. Transferable skills are usually broader and related to leadership,
communication, critical thinking, analysis, and organization. These are
skills that can be transferred and utilized in a variety of different kinds of
jobs and career paths.

Skill 1. Feel 2. Enjoy / 3. Would Like

Competent Favorites to Develop
Communication Skills
Write, edit, translate, interpret or critique words /
Speak in public, debate, advocate, present or
demonstrate an idea /
Facilitate a meeting /
Reading and following directions /
Comparing or cross-checking two lists /
Filling out forms /
Writing reports, letters and memos correctly /
Reading and understanding policies and memos /
Comfortably speaking to others you do not know /
Taking notes while someone speaks /
Finding information /
Using a map /
Explaining things to other people /
Know when to ask for help or more explanation /
Counsel or advise others /
Listening to others /
 Other(s):

Copy the list of skills below and mark each column as described. You can have the same
skill marked more than once in each column.
1. What skills have you already acquired and feel competent doing? In the first column,
mark each skill in which you feel competent.
2. What skills do you enjoy, even if you are not proficient at them? In the second column,
mark those skills that you really enjoy.
3. What skills would you like to learn, acquire or develop further?

Technical Skills 1. Feel 2. Enjoy / 3. Would Like

Competent Favorites to Develop
Be athletic or use physical coordination /
Build or construct things or structures /
Do skilled crafts or use hand coordination with
tools /
Operate vehicles, machines or electronic
equipment /

Technical Skills 1. Feel 2. Enjoy / 3. Would

Competent Favorites Like
to Develop
Repair or set up machines or equipment /
Installing things /
Work with earth and nature /
Gardening, landscaping and farming /
Other(s):

Management and Self-Management Skills 1. Feel 2. Enjoy / 3. Would

Competent Favorites Like
to Develop
Administer, set goals and priorities, plan or make
decisions
/
Initiate, assess needs, anticipate or create change /
Manage people, delegate tasks, direct, oversee or motivate /
Sell, negotiate, convince, promote or persuade
/
Being a patient with others /
Keeping a cheerful attitude /
Getting interested/excited about the task at hand /
Offering to help when it’s needed /
Knowing how to take directions /
Motivating myself to do what needs to get done /
Helping motivate others to get the job done /
Prioritizing tasks so that the larger goal is met on time /
Following the rules /
Presenting a neat and professional image /
Checking your own work /
Using courtesy when dealing with others /
Seeking help when needed /
Being eager to learn /
Speaking up for yourself /
Solving problems in a cooperative way /
Other(s):
 Number Skills 1. Feel 2. Enjoy / 3. Would
Competent Favorites Like to
Develop
Compute, calculate, compare or record numbers /
Forecast, appraise or estimate numerical information /
Doing arithmetic correctly /
Using percentages and decimals
/
Estimating costs and/or time needed to complete a job /
Using a database program on a computer /
Using a spreadsheet on a computer /
Creating and managing a budget /
Other(s):

1. Feel 2. Enjoy / 3. Would

Creative/Artistic Skills Competent Favorites Like to
Develop
Perceive intuitively, sense, show insight or have foresight /
Use artistic ability, photograph, decorate, paint or sculpt /
Use creativity, visualize, imagine, brainstorm or design /
Use musical ability, sing, compose or play instruments /
Presenting artistic ideas /
Visualizing shapes /
Designing /
Drawing, illustrating, sketching /
Other(s):
1. Feel 2. Enjoy / 3. Would
People and Social Skills Competent Favorites Like to
Develop
Care, treat, heal, nurse or rehabilitate others /
Counsel, empower, coach, guide or listen to individuals /
Host, comfort, please, make welcome or serve customers /
Plan social, recreational or other group events /
Problem-solve, mediate or network with people /
Teach, train, instruct, inform or explain to groups /
Caring for children responsibly /
Caring for the sick and elderly /
Calming people down /
Helping people complete a task /
Knowing how to get along with different
/
people/personalities
Other(s):

1. Feel 2. Enjoy / 3. Would

Critical Thinking and Investigative Skills Competent Favorites Like to Develop
Analyze, use logic, problem solve, examine
/
Conceptualize, adapt, develop, hypothesize or /
discover
Evaluate, assess, test, appraise, diagnose /
Observe, reflect, study or notice /
Research, investigate, read or interview /
Synthesize, integrate, unify or conceptualize ideas /
Other(s):
 1. Feel 2. Enjoy / 3. Would Like to
Business Skills Competent Favorites Develop
Working with computers
Using a business telephone
Working with budgets
Account, budget, program or systematize financial
data
Attend to detail, copy, inspect or transcribe
Setting up and closing out a cash register
Managing money and bills
Organizing, filing, updating, categorizing or
arranging information
Writing business documents
Coordinating events
Fund-raising
Other(s):

Source: http://ccv.edu/documents/2013/11/skills-inventory-worksheet.pdf