Forbes.com recently wrote an article on the happiest and most unhappiest jobs for 2014 in the United States. The results were interesting with the number 1 happiest job being a database administrator (who knew?). At number 2 was a Quality Assurance Engineer and Executive Recruiter came in at number 3. On the other end of the spectrum at number 1 (of unhappiest jobs) was Security Officer, followed by Bank Branch Manager and then Accountant.
Much can be read into the way the study was done, what was used to determine happiness and unhappiness, and if it was even reflective of the Australian context but the article does raise some important questions for school students. What would your student’s happiest job be? What would their unhappiest job situation look like? If they’ve had any job experience they might know some of the possible answers. If they haven’t, then it might be hard to imagine what a dream job or worse nightmare might look like. How do you ensure your students spend more time in a job area they love rather than trying a few different courses or jobs before learning what it is?
There are some key factors, such as your abilities, values and interests, that could direct them down the right path. But how do they know what their abilities and strengths are? How do you help them identify what they really value and their exact interests?
A good careers test will be able to identify—what they like, what their strengths are and what’s important to them. The results of a good careers test can provide solid career direction, in a range of careers that can be further investigated and explored.
We invite you to try the COPSystem online careers assessment tool to assist you and your student find subject preference and relevance. What makes the COPSystem different to other careers tests, is the abilities and work values assessments combined with interests.
“The COPSystem assessments not only measure an individual’s interests and abilities as they relate to occupations, but also measure work values and may be a good starting point in a character education component of a career guidance unit. The COPES helps students define how values relate to occupations by measuring the importance of such work environment preferences as Leadership, Independence, or being Social.”
As students begin the career exploration process, it is important for them to have sufficient information so that they will be able to identify the most advantageous career possibilities. With the COPSystem assessments, they can learn more about what interests them, identify and build on their strengths, and explore which types of jobs are most compatible with their personality. Using the results from the COPSystem, students are much more likely to have a more complete picture to prepare them for a career.”*
To compliment the results, the Australian Job Guide can give you specific information on each career and where to get the qualifications to do the job.
Happy Career Finding!
*Source: http://www.edits.net/information/newsletters/work-values-are-important-in-career-selection.html
Want to know more? Take a tour of the COPSystem or find out more about our Careers Assessment.
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