SELF-ASSESSMENT

The current corporate landscape is characterized by competition. Never before has it been more important to self-assess ones abilities, needs and desires.  We must fully understand our personal strengths and weaknesses so we can identify opportunities and threats, and strategically place ourselves in the best possible position to enhance our individual career.  

“Even with a 4.0 grade point average, internships, and awards, the "true you" will be representing that extensive pedigree. It's not enough to have it on paper, you have to "be" the success.” (Hick-Mitchell, 2007).

My understanding is that most of the ARTS301 students are confused as to what they want to do, which career path to take, and what to do if - God forbid - we choose the wrong path!

Martin Smith (2011) provided a useful insight into how one should go about launching their career. One of the many quotes he presented in his lecture articulates my thoughts on this topic perfectly…

“There is no such thing as a career path any more, it’s a crazy paving and you lay it yourself.”

Gone are the days of working for one company your entire career. We now live in a society where people dislike the idea of being permanently attached to one job. There is an immense array of employment opportunities out there, and all of a sudden we feel like we have to experience several of them.

Mr Smith (2011) presented the onion theory - we are all onions, comprised of several layers, and our career path should seek to satisfy the desires of each layer.  He suggested the following framework as a means for self-assessment, which will ultimately help us decipher our ‘true calling’ in life;

-                Physical Attributes

-                Aptitudes, Competencies & Skills

-                Interests

-                Personality

-                Rewards (both extrinsic and intrinsic)

-                Values, ethics, moral compass

-                Passion and purpose

Personally, I found this framework difficult to exercise, when it comes to longevity and locking in a response, I am unwilling to commit to a single answer. For example, at the moment I am interested in people, fashion, music and dance, but in 20 years time, I may find myself immersed in the subjects of politics, global warming or English literature. I feel my values may change too, as I grow older I believe I will develop a more mature grasp of what I truly value in life. At the moment I value a strong friendship group, good grades and a somewhat healthy lifestyle (as much as one can be healthy whilst studying at university and living on campus). But give it 15 years and I will probably see aspects such as a career, family, travel and philanthropy as more important elements of my existence. So how am I to know where to pave the first step in my career path, which will ultimately lead to a profession that will satisfy my desires in 20 years time?

At the moment, I have undertaken several internships and honestly, it has been a process of elimination as to what I want to do. For example, last year I interned at a fashion public relations company. Although this was a fantastic experience and I am greatly appreciative for the opportunity (and the clothes I scored), I found the industry to not exactly be ‘me.’ Pretentious is a harsh word, and I am hesitant to use it to describe the fashion industry. And while the ladies I worked directly with where perfectly lovely, if you don’t feel like stroking someone’s ego from 9am-5pm every day with the hope of one day becoming the person whose ego is being stroked, then this industry is not for you.

Hick-Mitchells paper, “Self Assessment: Know Yourself!” (2007) really articulates the benefits of undertaking a thorough personal self-assessment. In order to be completely comfortable in our own skin and be instantly likeable - whether we are accomplished or not - we must know ourselves, know what we like and what we dislike and make decisions with ease.

Hick-Mitchell suggests that as fresh, young graduates, we are used to being defined by our family, teachers, organisations or grades, all of which are external elements. We have all been ‘labeled’ around the criteria of these external and somewhat trivial stereotypes – “Labels are easy because it doesn't require people to do much work. However, labels never capture who people really are” (Hick-Mitchell, 2007). However, as we prepare to step foot into the big bad corporate world, the value of these external labels dwindles and our ability to pull from our true selves will matter more.

“Factors like integrity, self-confidence, personal drive, fortitude and perseverance in the workplace and life will take you further than a high GPA and your lengthy resume. Your success will hinge on being able to bridge the gap between what you've attained as a college graduate and who you are as a person.” (Hick-Mitchell, 2007).

So we have done the work, got the grades and are now about to embark upon career success and personal gratification. It is time to forget the theory and look at ourselves. How are we going to smash that first interview, charm the panel and kill the ambiguous questions? The answer lies in self-assessment, and a bit of simple soul searching.

Hicks-Mitchell, D, 2007, “Self-assessment: Know Yourself!,” Black Collegiate Services, Inc, United States, New Orleans.

Smith, M 2011, “Career Decision Making, and Career Path Plans” lecture, ARTS301, Arts Internship, University of Wollongong, delivered 28.7.2011