The Career Key®

Solutions for Middle School Students

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

Are you wondering, “What will I do when I grow up? What subjects will I study in high school? College? What kind of work will I do?”

Middle school is a good time to begin asking these questions. It is a good time to explore . . . to learn about jobs and school options. And, it can be fun and interesting!

It also begins to get serious. For example, many students are asked to choose a “Career Pathway”. This choice is often made in the 8th grade. You and your parents will want to learn about this and make a good decision.

The Career Key can help you. I recommend,

1. The Career Key® personality test. When you take the Career Key career test you measure the strength of your six Holland personality types and identify jobs that match them.

   You can also identify the career pathways, college majors and training programs that fit your personality and interests.

   You get full and accurate information about each occupation, and download a 4-page booklet that explains the results.
   
   

2. Choosing a Career Cluster, Career Field or Career Pathway that fits your personality. Wondering what is a career cluster or career pathway? This is a major decision that will affect your future. Unfortunately, the concepts of “career clusters and “career pathways” can be confusing. This online article will help you.

   5 Steps to Choosing the Right Career Cluster, Field, or Pathway, our e-book, is the only science-based source for matching Holland personality types to career pathways.
   

3. How to Choose a Major or Training Program 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.

   “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

   
   

4. 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.
   
   
5. Making good decisions. Decision Making Process describes steps in making a good decision. Learning how to make good decisions is a “Foundation Skill”. You want to learn this skill, and use it when you make important decisions.
   
   
6. Learning about Dr. John Holland’s Theory of Career Choice. This article is one of our most popular. Our e-book, What Color are Your Feathers?, describes his theory and explains how to apply it to career and educational choices.
   
   
7. Visiting our eBookStore with your parents. 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.