Creating My Self-Assessment Analysis

SECTION ONE - KUDER CAREER INTERESTS ASSESSMENT

The Kuder Career Interests Assessment (KCIA) results provided a pro le for me based on the

Holland Code of EAC (Enterprising, Artistic, and Conventional), which suggests my preferences

and strengths in these areas and speci cally showed my lack of interest in social causes or work

that is too technical (Kuder, 2023a). Interestingly, my “aha moment” came when I realized that

these results were surprisingly accurate, however, the career models it chose for me were

questionable. The roles of Public Relations Specialist in the National Green Economy, Search

Marketing Strategist, Business Continuity Planner, and Clinical Research Coordinator would

need further understanding before embarking on any of these roads.

I have a fervent interest in enterprising activities which points to a natural t within business

environments that prize leadership and drive. The appeal of taking initiative, inspiring a team,

and striving for nancial success resonates with me, suggesting that I am well-suited for roles in

management, sales, marketing, or even entrepreneurship, which I wholeheartedly agree with.

The idea of steering business ventures or sales strategies is exciting, as it aligns with my desire to

lead and achieve.

Artistically, I gravitate towards roles that allow for creative freedom and expression. I welcome

the opportunity to innovate and bring beauty into the world through arts, design, writing, or

entertainment. My conventional interest supports careers in data management or accounting, but

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 does not align with my potential career choices, however, the skill in organization and structure

could be bene cial in a variety of settings.

My Investigative interests, though moderate, suggest I can appreciate research and analysis,

especially when it supports my dominant interests. Given my lower scores in the Realistic and

Social domains, it is apparent that my strengths do not lie in hands-on, technical tasks or in roles

that are heavily focused on social services.

My strongest career aspirations lies in enterprising activities, which means I am drawn to

business environments where leadership and ambition are valued. The high score in this area is

likely because I like to take charge, motivate others, and work towards organizational or personal

nancial goals. Potential careers with strong Enterprising skills include management, sales,

marketing, or entrepreneurship and, interestingly, I could see myself in these roles. In fact, I

have worked in sales and marketing and enjoyed working in this area as it also aligned with my

interest in health and nutrition.

I believe that Interest-based assessments are invaluable tools for potentially steering my career

and life toward a ful lling path and are also showing me that some of my natural talents,

abilities, strengths, and interests could be useful. By identifying my dominant interests in

enterprising, artistic, and conventional areas through the Kuder Career Interests Assessment, I

can now strategically target professional opportunities that align with these areas. This alignment

ensures that I am not only engaged and motivated but also more likely to excel and be satis ed in

my career. Now that I have this understanding, I feel more excited about the possibilities of

getting back into the job market to seek leadership roles or entrepreneurial ventures where my

ability to motivate others and pursue my nancial objectives can be fully realized.
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 In the past, I've consulted other interests-based assessments, such as the Myers-Briggs Type

Indicator (MBTI) (Myers & Briggs, n.d.) and the StrengthsFinder, which have complemented the

insights provided by Kuder. The MBTI helped me understand how my personality type

in uences my work style and interactions, while StrengthsFinder highlighted my innate talents

that can be leveraged in my career. Both assessments have highlighted the importance of aligning

my work with my interests and strengths, which are supported by the Kuder Assessments.

By incorporating the results from these assessments, I feel I am equipped to make better

decisions about my future career choices, by choosing roles that not only suit my interests but

also play to my strengths. The additional support I've gathered from courses in my classes has

reinforced the idea that self-awareness is crucial for career progression. I plan to utilize the

information from these assessments to help guide my decisions and search preferences so that I

will be able to nd employment in areas where I can make the biggest impact by utilizing my

strengths, talents, and interests so that the work will be both meaningful and rewarding for me.

SECTION TWO - KUDER SKILLS ASSESSMENT

The Kuder Skills Assessment (KSA) provides insight into my skills preferences which are tied to

the six Holland Code categories. My KSA results show a Holland Code of ECA (Enterprising,

Conventional, and Artistic). Not only does this point to where I feel my skills are strongest this

also very much aligns with my Career Interests. This was a major “aha moment” because my

identi ed skills matched perfectly with my career interests, which lent even more credence to

these assessments.
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My skills assessment indicates a high level of con dence in enterprising skills. This suggests I

perceive myself as having skills in areas that involve leadership, persuasion, and achieving goals.

I enjoy and have excelled in roles that require taking initiative, in uencing others, and managing

projects or businesses. Career paths that support these skills are management, marketing, sales,

or entrepreneurship or roles where strategic thinking and a proactive approach may be required.

Interestingly I have held positions in management, marketing, sales, and even entrepreneurship.

The conventional category ranks second in my skills assessment, indicating con dence in tasks

that require organization, attention to detail, and the ability to follow established guidelines. It

suggests roles involving data management, administrative work, or any position that requires

systematic and orderly thinking. Suggested careers would be nance, administration, and

operations, however, none of these appeal to me.

Since my artistic skills also rank highly, I have con dence in my ability to be creative and

expressive. Careers involving the arts, design, writing, or communication, could potentially be

combined with my role and allow me to innovate, create, and communicate ideas or concepts

through various mediums. I would like to combine my creativity with enterprising and

conventional skills to potentially lead to unique career opportunities, such as creative direction,

advertising, or product design. I also love writing and have even won an award for my writing

skills.

Given my lower con dence in Realistic (R) skills, I am not as comfortable in careers that rely

heavily on mechanical or technical abilities. My medium con dence in Investigative (I) and

Social (S) skills suggests I am somewhat comfortable with tasks that involve analysis, research,

and working with others, but not as much as the other top three areas. I believe that
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 investigative, analytical, and research skills would be a perfect complement to the other skills

that are required in management roles.

Unfortunately, I did not nd that there were any overlapping skills previously noted in my

Electronic Portfolio. The “Core Competencies” were preselected based on speci c criteria that

do not align with the skills that have been identi ed. For example, nowhere in my assessments

does it indicate that I have abilities in the areas of project management, con ict management,

empathy, delegation, or team dynamics & collaboration. Perhaps critical thinking, strategic

planning, and decision-making/problem-solving could be part of some of the skills where I excel

however, these are not speci cally listed, but certainly complement all of the other skills that

would be required in leadership positions.

I will de nitely add these skills to my E-portfolio as they will be a driving force in the type of

position I am looking for. In addition, I will be adding them to my resume and will update my

resume on my E-portfolio.

Re ecting on my skills-based assessment within the Holland Occupation Codes (RIASEC), I

recognize a major connection between my skills and interests, which provides a comprehensive

picture of my professional potential. The alignment between my Enterprising, Artistic, and

Conventional interests with my corresponding skill sets is particularly interesting. My

enterprising skills, such as leadership, communication, and persuasion, combine with my interest

in roles that require taking charge and motivating others. Artistic skills like creativity, originality,

and an eye for aesthetics complement my passion for innovative and expressive work. This new

understanding of my skills and interests is a powerful tool that has helped me to identify

potential career paths that not only appeal to my interests but also align with my abilities.
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 In the past, I have taken other skills-based assessments, but none have been as profound and

exciting as the Kuder Assessments. I have never before been as impressed or excited with the

outcome of an assessment as I have with Kuder. For example, I have never felt uplifted or

engaged by Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as I felt my skills or personality type were not

aligned with the person who I thought I was.

From my Organizational Growth and Leadership courses, I've learned that self-awareness of

one's skills and interests is essential for both personal and professional development. By actively

seeking opportunities that align with my skill set and interests, I can ensure a career trajectory

that not only resonates with who I am but also positions me to contribute meaningfully in my

chosen eld.

SECTION THREE - MOTIVATION & CAREER ANCHORS ASSESSMENT

After analyzing my Motivation and Career Anchors Assessment scores, it is clear that Autonomy/

Independence and Entrepreneurial Creativity are my primary and secondary career anchors. With

a score of 77 in Autonomy/Independence, it is no surprise that I value the freedom to work

independently, make decisions, and express my individuality in my work life. This preference for

self-direction has been evident in my past work experiences, where I have thrived in

environments that grant me the autonomy to manage my projects and approach challenges in my

own way. Entrepreneurial Creativity, with a score of 73, highlights my inclination towards

innovation, new venture creation, and the ability to turn ideas into reality. This aligns with my
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desire for roles that demand creativity and the opportunity to pioneer new paths or business

solutions.

The assessment did not yield any startling revelations but rather con rmed my perceptions

regarding my career goals. Technical/Functional Competence also was shown to be a signi cant

anchor with a score of 66, suggesting that I value expertise and pro ciency in my work

endeavors.

Since I am not currently working, I can only draw from my previous work experiences. I believe

the integration of these anchors is re ected in the goals for my future work/life balance where I

will seek personal independence and strive to sharpen my skills to contribute innovative

solutions within my new business environment.

Interestingly, my lowest scoring career anchor was Sense of Service/Dedication to a Cause, with

a score of 45. This suggests that mission-driven work is not my primary motivator. My

perception of this outcome within the Career Anchors instrument allows me to recognize that I

feel service to a cause is admirable, but it does not de ne my professional identity or career

pursuits, which, once again, is an accurate re ection of who I am.

Throughout my Organizational Leadership courses, I have learned that one's career anchors are

crucial for aligning career choices with intrinsic motivations. This alignment can lead to greater

job satisfaction and a sense of ful llment. My additional research into career development

theories has reinforced the importance of self-awareness in shaping a career path that is not only

successful but also congruent with one's values and personal aspirations. By continuing to re ect
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on these career anchors, I can make more informed decisions about my professional journey,

ensuring that I remain true to what motivates me most deeply while navigating the potentialities

of my career.

Throughout the various assessments - the Kuder Career Interests Assessment, Holland

Occupational Codes, skills-based evaluations, and the Motivation and Career Anchors

Assessment - there is a consistent theme highlighting my strong inclination towards autonomy

and creativity (Kuder, 2023a, 2023b).. Both the Kuder Assessment, with its emphasis on Artistic

interests, and the Career Anchors assessment, with high scores in Autonomy/Independence and

Entrepreneurial Creativity, underscore my desire for independence in my work and a desire for

innovative, creative endeavors. These assessments collectively suggest that I am best suited for

roles that allow for leadership, self-direction, and the application of inventive solutions within

my professional sphere. While I appreciate structured environments to some extent, as indicated

by my interest in Conventional activities, my career is primarily driven by aspirations for

entrepreneurial ventures and personal freedom in decision-making, re ecting a core identity that

values self-governance and creative expression.

SECTION FOUR - ADDITIONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS

One of the assessments I did in my Psychology 101 class was the 16 Personalities test, which

mirrors the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), I am categorized as an ENFJ-T, or Protagonist

personality (Myers & Briggs, n.d.). This suggests that I have leadership qualities and a strong

inclination toward diplomacy, and I seem to thrive in social settings. I am described as

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 extraverted, intuitive, feeling, judging, and turbulent, indicating that I am outgoing, perceptive,

empathetic, and organized, but also possibly sensitive to stress. Despite certain traits not aligning

perfectly with my self-perception, I recognize the test's value in personal and professional

development contexts.

In the Big Five Assessment (Truity, n.d.), my pro le is characterized by high scores in open-

mindedness (88th percentile), conscientiousness (99th percentile), extraversion (86th percentile),

and agreeableness (83rd percentile), with a moderate score in negative emotionality (60th

percentile). These results provide a picture of me as a creative, disciplined, and sociable

individual who values cooperation and usually maintains emotional stability. The Big Five model

provides a simpler and more universally applicable framework for understanding personality

traits compared to the more detailed narrative of the MBTI (Myers & Briggs, n.d).

Lastly, the results from Super's Work Values Inventory-Revised (2023c) indicate that I place

signi cant importance on varied experiences and learning opportunities in my professional life. I

value achievement, recognition, a supportive work environment, and competent leadership. I also

prioritize job stability, nancial rewards, respect, work-life balance, and the autonomy to make

decisions.

Overall, these assessments commonly re ect my strong leadership potential, strategic mindset,

and preference for social engagement. I am driven by a desire for achievement, recognition, and

the ability to innovate within my career. My high level of conscientiousness and organization is a

recurring theme, as is my need for stability and security in my work. Understanding these

attributes helps me navigate my career choices and personal growth, seeking environments that

align with my intrinsic qualities and values.

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 Of all of the assessments I have done in my Organizational Leadership journey, I feel that the

two Kuder assessment tools have proven to be the most useful for aligning with my perceived

potential and providing an encouraging lens through which to view my skills and career interests

(Kuder 2023a & 2023b). The Kuder Career Interests Assessment (2023b) offered me a clear and

uplifting perspective on where my interests can be applied in the professional realm, resonating

deeply with my aspirations and bolstering my con dence. Meanwhile, the Kuder Skills

Con dence Assessment validated my self-perceived strengths and competencies, which not only

af rmed my choices but also inspired me to embrace my capabilities fully. The insights gained

from these assessments will be instrumental in helping me update and recreate my resume, which

will enable me to present my best self to potential employers with renewed energy and clarity

about my career direction and the unique value I could bring to an organization in a leadership

role.

This alignment has been further supported by my Organizational Leadership courses, which

emphasized the importance of self-awareness and authentic leadership. The coursework

reinforced the concept that understanding one's strengths and how they translate into leadership

competencies is fundamental for effective leadership.

My additional research into leadership theories and best practices has complemented the Kuder

assessments (Kuder, 2023a, 2023b, 2023c.), offering a broader context for applying my strengths

strategically. Studies on transformational leadership, for instance, have underscored the value of

aligning personal values with organizational goals, a principle highly relevant to the interests and

skills identi ed by the Kuder tools. As I continue to re ne my leadership goals, the combination

of these self-assessments and the varied knowledge from my coursework and research have
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equipped me with important tools for navigating my professional journey to maximize my

impact as a leader.

In summary, what I have learned is that I am drawn to careers where I could blend my

entrepreneurial spirit with my creative and organizational skills, while possibly incorporating

some investigative aspects. I envision myself thriving in a management position or as a business

owner where I can exercise my creativity along with my leadership abilities within a structured

business environment where I can bring innovative projects to reality.

References

Harrington, B. & Hall, D.T. (2007).Career management and work-life integration: Using self-

assessment to navigate contemporary careers. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Kuder Career Interests Assessment Results. (2023a). Kuder Inc. Retrieved March 19, 2024,

from https://journey.kuder.com/my-assessments/career-interests-assessment-results?ID=29403

147

Kuder Skills Confidence Assessment Results. (2023b). Kuder Inc. Retrieved March 19, 2024,

from https://journey.kuder.com/my-assessments/skills-confidence-assessment-results?ID=2940

3154
Myers, I. B., & Briggs, K. C. (n.d.). Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Retrieved March 18, 2024,

from https://www.mbtionline.com/

Super’s Work Values Inventory-revised Results. (2023c). Kuder Inc. Retrieved March 19, 2024,

from https://journey.kuder.com/my-assessments/work-values-assessment-results?ID=29403159

Truity (n.d.). The Big Five Personality Test. Retrieved March 15, 2024, from https://

www.truity.com/test/big-five-personality-test