Formal assessments are standardized, systematic, and data-based. There have been research studies and field testing on these assessments and the findings support the reliability and validity of these assessments.
Examples of formal assessments for Job Exploration:
- Becker Work Adjustment Profile (2nd edition)
- Career Beliefs Inventory
- Career Decision Scale
- Job Search Attitude Survey (5th edition)
- Reading-Free Vocational Interest Inventory (3rd edition)
- Picture Interest Career Survey (3rd edition)
Informal assessments can also be beneficial to determine students’ career interests or skills. Informal assessments can easily be individualized for students’ needs. Students can demonstrate self-determination skills by explaining their goals or interests. These can often be used in conjunction with a formal assessment to determine the ideal work environment.
Examples of informal assessments:
- Interviews
- A conversation between the student and provider can give the provider an in-depth understanding of the students’ goals, interests, and preferences
- Research reflection
- Research various careers using online tools, then reflect and discuss which of the careers interested them
- Observations
- The provider may observe the student in a work-based learning setting and gather information about how the student performs at the job and if it aligns with their preferences, interests, needs and skills
- Daily classroom activities/discussions
- By engaging in career exploration activities in the classroom setting (i.e., a career speaker or video), the provider should consider which career topics the student was the most engaged with
- Self-rating scales
- If a student is participating in a work-based learning opportunity (i.e., a school-based enterprise, internship, or service-learning project), he or she can rate their own skills, abilities, and interests as they relate to that experience. This will provide data on whether a related career to that experience aligns with their goals.
