Planning a Change in Career ”Let us stop equating work with earning a living, but rather think of it as an important component of making a life.” Occupational choice is a life long process of decision-making in which the individual constantly seeks to find the optimal fit between career goals and the realities of the world of work. When many people contemplate career change, they start with the jobs that are out there and not with themselves and their skills, interests, knowledge and abilities. However, the first step in career change is self-assessment. If you don’t know who you are, what you can do well, what you like and don’t like, and where you want to work, you will have difficulty finding a new career that will really satisfy you. Career assessment and planning can help individuals contemplating career change. Full day of interviews and testing for occupational interests, personality, aptitudes, workstyle, problem solving abilities, sales and supervisory ability and potential, personal and professional development needs, interpretive interviews, examples of suitable occupations, training/educational information, summary report with recommendations. Two hour follow up to develop action plan (in depth research). Psychological and Vocational Assessment Designed to suit the needs and requirements of organizations such as Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Workers Compensation, Insurance and Vocational Rehabilitation Companies. Summary report, includes comprehensive interviews and full day testing: abilities, aptitudes, personality traits, learning and work styles, job environment and supervisory preferences, development needs, examples of suitable occupations/job options, educational and retraining information. One hour feedback session. Organizational Development These programs were designed for businesses to assess the following areas: Employment satisfaction and organization climate Personnel selection to aid in identifying successful candidates Team effectiveness (mission clarity, team coordination, innovation, leadership, timing and staff, skills and commitments) Leadership effectiveness Senior manager and executive potential Programs are customized and designed in collaboration with individual companies. Women in Transition For many women who have worked at home raising their families, a return to the work force is threatening and anxiety provoking. A systematic approach to self-assessment which helps analyze the roles and skills that you have developed outside of the workforce is helpful in increasing self-confidence. Career counseling and career assessment can help women returning to work to formulate career and educational goals that are based on their skills, aptitudes and interests. Furthermore, pursing a well thought out career plan is reflected in a more satisfying career experience. One hour interview, 2 1/2 hours testing, interpretive interview, report summarizing vocational interests, aptitudes, role and skills analysis, personality strengths and limitations, workstyle and job environment preferences, examples of suitable occupations and training/educational information. Three hours of meetings to develop an action plan, including additional research and establishment of criteria to make a final career and/or educational plan. Student and Young Adult Career and Educational Planning Career choice is the end result of a process which begins early in life. As the exploration of careers becomes more complex (there are more than 20,000 occupations listed in the Canadian Dictionary of Occupational Titles), many young people benefit from the results of career exploration. Career testing can help students and young adults to increase their self-awareness by presenting a wide scope of occupational choices and isolating a segment for consideration in terms of personal interests, abilities and values. This exploration has become increasingly important with the escalating cost of post secondary education and today’s restricted employment opportunities related to present economic conditions. This program consists of: 2 1/2 hours testing, interpretive interview, report summarizing vocational interests, personality strengths and weaknesses, aptitudes, examples of suitable occupations, training/ educational information.