Chapter 1.5: Focus 2 Career Reflective Essay

According to my Focus 2 Career assessment, my best fit occupations are Industrial Relations Specialist, Researcher, Psychologist, and Computer Scientist. The assessment breaks down each of the individual assessments (there are five) and assigned the best fit occupations to each assessment’s results; however, the most frequently reoccurring occupations were scientific researcher, psychologist, computer scientist, and engineer (with a specialization). I think these occupations were frequently recommended to me by the assessment because I am a very analytical and logical person as well as very organized and timely. I agree with majority of my best fit occupations because I have a great interest in the STEM fields, particularly technology- related fields, which is why my major is data science.

I believe the Focus 2 Career results are mostly accurate regarding my career interests. For example, the Holland code for my Work Interest Assessment is CSI: Conventional, Social, Investigative. This suggests that my preferred occupation involves the need for organization, efficiency, and is very detail oriented as well as productive in solving problems and using logic to reach goals. I agree with these results since my major, data science, encapsulates these results quite well. It requires a great deal of critical thinking on my end to solve math problems, analyzing scientific data, and staying informed in the latest advancements and innovations in STEM.

Another aspect of the Focus 2 Career results I agree with is my Leisure Interest assessment. While this assessment was rather vague as times, it captures the gist of how I like to spend my leisure time: I like to try new things, travel to new places, and spend some time alone. I don’t have to be my “work self” or act professionally, I can just relax. However, an aspect I don’t agree with is my low score on the Aesthetic category, which concerns the interest of being creative or “artsy” as a leisure activity. I find art quite enjoyable and a fun pastime, so I disagree with this result of the Leisure Interest assessment. Overall, I think the results of my Leisure Interest assessment shows my willingness to try/learn new things and to approach things from a different perspective, which is necessary for my career path.

Out of the five assessments, the results from the Values Assessment is the most eye- opening and important to me. My results stated that my top three values are creativity, income, and independence. These results are related to my career(s) of interest and my education, not personality. This tracks with my major, data science, as it allows me to be open various types of jobs that are lucrative and innovative without jeopardizing my health or safety. For me, my values are what drive me to do what I do; therefore, it’s important for me to choose a major and pursue a career that aligns with my values in a health and productive way.