As teenagers navigate the path from school to adulthood, the question of "What do you want to do with your life?" can feel overwhelming. Many teens are unsure of their strengths, passions, and how these elements can translate into a fulfilling career. Luckily, modern resources like CareerOneStop’s Interest Assessment and the 16Personalities test offer insights to help guide these important decisions. These tools not only provide a snapshot of an individual's strengths and preferences but also offer practical direction for aligning these traits with potential career paths.

Understanding Your Strengths: The Importance of Self-Discovery

Self-awareness is a crucial first step in any successful career plan. Before making decisions about college majors, internships, or job options, it's essential to understand your own interests and personality traits. Assessments like CareerOneStop's Interest Assessment and the 16Personalities test are designed to help teens reflect on who they are and how their unique characteristics can play a role in their future careers.

Self-discovery through these assessments goes beyond merely understanding likes and dislikes. They dive deep into understanding work preferences, communication styles, and problem-solving approaches. This depth of insight can make a world of difference when thinking about what careers align with your natural strengths and interests.

CareerOneStop's Interest Assessment: Matching Interests with Potential Careers

One of the best tools available for teens exploring career options is CareerOneStop's Interest Assessment, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. This free tool is designed to match personal interests with career options based on the Holland Code model, which categorizes people into six broad personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional (RIASEC). Each of these types connects with various fields and job roles, giving teens a clearer picture of what types of work might fit them best.

The assessment asks a series of questions about activities that teens might enjoy, ranging from hands-on tasks like repairing machines to creative endeavors like painting or performing music. After completing the assessment, teens receive a list of careers that match their interests, ranked by how well they align with each of the RIASEC types. For example, a teen who scores high in the "Investigative" category might be steered toward careers in science, research, or technology, while someone with an "Enterprising" personality might be better suited for leadership roles in business or entrepreneurship.

16Personalities Test: Personality Insights for Career Alignment

The 16Personalities test is another powerful tool for teens seeking to understand how their unique traits can influence their career paths. Based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), this test categorizes individuals into one of 16 distinct personality types, such as the ISTJ (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) or ENFP (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving).

Each of these types provides insights into key characteristics such as decision-making style, work habits, and social preferences. The results also highlight strengths and potential challenges, giving teens a well-rounded perspective on how their personality can affect their career choices. For example, individuals with the ISTJ personality type are typically detail-oriented, responsible, and methodical, making them well-suited for roles in finance, law, or project management. On the other hand, ENFP types, known for their creativity and enthusiasm, might thrive in careers that involve innovation, such as marketing, design, or entrepreneurship.

What makes the 16Personalities test particularly valuable is its holistic approach to personality. It not only explores work preferences but also considers how teens interact with others, respond to challenges, and manage stress—factors that are critical in a professional setting. This insight helps teens think beyond job titles and consider workplace environments, team dynamics, and leadership opportunities that might suit them.

Combining Personality and Interest Assessments for Informed Career Decisions

While each of these tools offers valuable insights individually, using them together can provide an even more comprehensive view of career potential. By combining the results of the CareerOneStop Interest Assessment and the 16Personalities test, teens can cross-reference their interests with their personality traits, leading to more nuanced career exploration.

For example, a teen who scores high in "Realistic" interests on the CareerOneStop assessment and identifies as an ISTJ on the 16Personalities test may find that a career in engineering, logistics, or law enforcement fits both their practical interests and their methodical personality. Conversely, a teen who identifies as an ENFP and scores high in "Artistic" or "Enterprising" interests might explore careers in creative industries, event planning, or public relations, where they can apply their strengths in communication, creativity, and adaptability.

Applying Assessment Insights to Career and Life Planning

Once teens have gathered information from these assessments, the next step is to apply this knowledge to real-world career exploration. Armed with a clearer understanding of their interests and personality traits, teens can begin to explore industries and career paths that truly resonate with them. One of the most effective ways to do this is through in-depth research on fields that align with their unique strengths and preferences. This research could involve looking into the day-to-day responsibilities of various jobs, the skills required for success, and the typical career progression within an industry. Resources like CareerOneStop and ONet Online* offer detailed job descriptions, salary expectations, and education requirements for thousands of careers, giving teens a more concrete understanding of what different roles entail.

Additionally, tools like So What Comes Next? by Michael A. Deffina can play a vital role in helping teens take the next steps in their career planning. This book serves as a practical guide for young people who are navigating the transition from high school to adulthood, providing structured activities to set goals, explore career options, and develop the skills necessary for success in the workplace. Deffina's comprehensive approach complements the insights gained from personality and interest assessments, helping teens create personalized life and career plans based on their unique strengths and interests.

By combining the results of personality and interest assessments with real-world research and practical tools, teens can make more informed decisions about their future. Whether they’re choosing high school electives, applying for college, or considering an apprenticeship, understanding how their personality and interests align with career paths empowers them to take charge of their journey.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Navigating career choices as a teenager can be both exciting and daunting. The pressure to make decisions about the future, especially in a world with seemingly endless possibilities, can feel overwhelming. Yet, by utilizing assessments like CareerOneStop's Interest Assessment and the 16Personalities test, teens can gain the clarity they need to move forward with confidence. These tools offer much more than a simple list of career options; they provide a structured way to reflect on who you are, what you're naturally inclined to do, and how those inclinations can shape your future.

Understanding oneself is a powerful asset when making life decisions. Through these assessments, teens can explore their strengths, values, work preferences, and even areas for improvement. This self-awareness gives them an informed foundation upon which to build their future plans. Instead of relying on guesswork or external pressures to choose a career path, teens can make decisions based on their personal qualities, ensuring a better fit between their aspirations and the professional world they will enter.