What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

What do you want to be when you grow up? For some of us, even years after graduating from college, the answer still eludes us. The working world is ever-changing; from emerging technologies to environmental policy, careers that were not around ten years ago are now all the rage. Whether you are a student or fully engaged in a career at the moment, wouldn't you like to know what your personality is best suited for?

Knowing yourself - being honest about your likes and dislikes - can help you find a career that is both rewarding and satisfying. It would be nice to have a magic wand that could make the right decisions for us, but so far nobody has come up with that tool (note to self: that might be a career worth exploring.) Personality tests are no substitute for the all-knowing magic wand, but they do add a value as a starting point for some meaningful dialogue.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment is a questionnaire designed to measure psychological preferences in how you perceive the world and make decisions. Katherine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, created the test during World War II to help women who were entering the workforce for the first time identify the sort of jobs where they would be "most comfortable and effective." Today it is used by corporations to assess employees and identify significant personal preferences. Companies often look to the MBTI for help with group dynamics, employee training, leadership training and personal development. Here is a link to The Myers & Briggs Foundation website.

The purpose of the test is to help understand what motivates and energizes you by answering the questions: what type of tasks are you best equipped to perform and where are you most happy? But keep in mind that while the test reveals your personality type, it does not measure your skills. Moving to a new career may require different skills and qualifications, but many skills are universal and can be parlayed effectively into any career or profession. That's why it is important early on to develop soft skills such as writing, speaking, listening and thinking as they will help you be successful in whatever field you choose.

At this moment, you might not know what you want to be when you grow up, but you should be able to answer these questions:

• Are you enriching your career skills?
• How are you putting your career plan in motion?
• Are you equipped to take advantage of a chance to shine?
• Are you on the right track or do you need a coach to help guide you?

It seems trite, but self-development is the key to making choices and changes in your life. Ty Boyd Executive Communications & Coaching offers a variety of courses and coaching options to meet the needs of all levels of career professionals and that includes those just starting out.

Take the lead with Ty Boyd.