The Career Key®

Solutions for College Students

Download free resources like "Choose a College Major Based on Your Personality"

Do you have questions about your college major or career choice? Career pathway? Training program?  Career Key can help you. Our respected career personality test, career advice, career information, and career planning tools are based on the best science and practices of career counseling.

I recommend,

1. The Career Key® personality test. When you take the Career Key career test you assess the strength of your six Holland personality types and identify matching occupations - this leads to matching your personality to majors and training programs, a vital step (more on this in #2 below).
   
   You get full and accurate information about each occupation, and download a 4-page interpretive booklet. Research shows that a good personality-career match leads to higher job satisfaction and better grades (if you use a valid career test).
   
   Simplicity, practicality, and validity are Career Key's strengths. It takes about 15 minutes; results are immediate; and there are no complicated tables or abstract concepts to understand. It also provides a gateway to services unique to Career Key, like the next two:
   
   
   
2. How to Choose a Major or Training Program that fits your personality. In this article you learn how to make this match following a 4-step process. A close personality-major match is vital. It is one of the predictors of academic success and satisfaction - grades earned and graduation (more . . .). The companion e-book, Match Up! Your Personality to College Majors, links the Holland personality types to all 1300+ college majors and training programs. It is the first to do this (more on our ground breaking research).

   “Match Up! encourages a learner-centered interaction between understanding one's key personality types and occupational and training information… [It] will be of great use to students and counselors who need to provide a list of options related to personality in a quick manner... It is a great resource that provides solid information necessary for making effective career decisions.” Read more. Debra Osborn, Ph.D. President-Elect, 2010-2011 National Career Development Association

   
   
   
3. Identifying and strengthening your job skills. Job skills are what count in the workplace. With marketable skills you are in the driver's seat. The Foundation Skills: Job Skills All Workers Need describes what they are. Evaluate yours and work to strengthen those that need it. Be sure to read The Free Agent Outlook on Work and Identify Your Skills and Make Them Work for You.
   
   
4. Making good decisions. Decision Making Process describes the essential steps in making a good decision. The ACIP method is practical and based on many research studies. The evidence clearly shows that the more you use these steps, the less likely you will regret your decision later. Use it in making your decision about further schooling.
   
   Our popular e-book, What Job is Best for Me?, takes you through the ACIP steps. It embodies the essential concepts of our website.
   
   
5. Learning about Holland's Theory of Career Choice. This article is one of our most popular. Literally hundreds of studies show that the theory has a solid scientific foundation. Our e-book, What Color are Your Feathers?, describes his theory and expands on how to apply it to career and educational choices.
   
   
6. Visiting our eBookStore. We offer many high quality publications. All are offered in a "green", sustainable PDF file that you download to your computer. Your purchase is an important way to support our efforts.

Lawrence K. Jones, Ph.D., NCC President, Career Key.