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Module 3: Discussion Assessments
Prompts #1 and #2 Set-Up: Complete the Kuder Assessments and actively read through your
results. (See instructions document included with these discussion topic instructions.)
Prompt #1: Summarize your results and any particular “aha moments” you may have had when
working through the Kuder Assessments. What particular career interests stuck out to you? With
respect to the interest pro iler, how did your interests score in the Holland Occupations Code
system or RIASEC (realistic/investigative/artistic/social/enterprising/conventional categories)?
How could you use interests-based assessments to help move your career and your life forward? If
you have taken any other interests-based assessments in the past, please comment on those, and
any relevant connections to the Kuder Assessments.
When taking the Kuder Assessments, I had a general idea of what my scores would re lect
based on the questions that were asked. For the most part, the questions that considered social
factors as priority were those that I felt most connected to. I generally enjoy helping and serving
others. Therefore, it was no surprise when my results revealed that social interests were highest for
me. What I found interesting was that my results for most of the other areas were all closely
positioned. My second highest score was in enterprising, however, this was closely followed by
conventional, artistic and investigative. Of least surprise to me was my score in the realistic category
as I am generally not too savvy when it comes to working with objects and tools. Regarding the
career options and even potential majors, I was not surprised that most were educational based
such as teaching, however, I was surprised at the number of careers that were connected to the
medical ield. This was my irst passion before I switched careers, however, it was interesting to
note how my interests still connect with the medical ield.
This tool can be useful in helping me to irstly choose a career path that would likely suit my
interests. In my opinion, it is always best to choose a career that one is passionate about. The Kuder
Assessment tools was very detailed and zeroed in on careers that are tailored to my speci ic
interests. Although I do not necessarily see myself in any of the areas that the assessment noted, I
thought that there were all good choices. I thought that the assessment could also be useful in giving
me a sense of direction to navigate my future path. It would allow me to weed through areas for
consideration when making decisions, not only as it relates to my career but also in my personal life.
One assessment that I recall that aligns with the Kuder Assessment was the Indigo
Assessment. In this assessment, my motivating factors were analyzed and two of the results in this
assessment revealed traditional and social factors. It indicated that I am passionate about my
values, helping others and making a difference. This relates to the results of the Kuder Assessment
since social interest was my highest score here.
Prompt #2: Summarize your results and any particular “aha moments” that you may have had
when working through the “skills/work values-based” assessments through the Kuder
Assessments. What are your top skills? Are these the skills that you highlighted in your e-portfolio
(from OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I)? Comment on any differences there, and how you might improve, or add
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to the skills section of your e-portfolio based on this new perspective. Also, be sure to comment on
your Holland Occupations Codes (RIASEC), and how your skills and interests compared in that
regard. How could you use skills-based assessments to help move your career and your life
forward? If you have taken any other skills-based assessments in the past, please comment on
those, and any relevant connections to the Kuder Assessments.
Similar to the results of the interests assessment, my top skills were classi ied as social and
enterprising, however, in this assessment, my artistic skills reigned over my conventional skills. My
realistic and investigative skills received the lowest scores in this assessment. These were not
surprising considering my results from the irst assessment, however, it was interesting to note that
some of the skills identi ied aligned with the skills I previously highlighted in my electronic
portfolio. Skills such as communication, critical thinking and empathy, as previously indicated, it
into the categories of social, artistic and enterprising skills. This is indicative of a measure of
consistency as it relates to my skills and interests. It would be helpful to have skills in areas that I
am passionate about so that my performance in these areas would re lect my best.
The Indigo Assessment, referenced earlier, also tested my top skills. What I found interesting
is that the skills tested in this assessment differed from those in the Kuder Assessment. The Kuder
Assessment focused on a broader categorization while the Indigo Assessment was more speci ic.
However, I did ind an interesting development with these two assessments. The Indigo Assessment
was taken very early on in my leadership journey and that test revealed that I needed to work on
my interpersonal skills. I did indicate that I was very shy by nature and had a hard time developing
these relationships. However, the Kuder Assessment revealed the opposite. It appears that I have
grown con idence in this area over the duration of the course. As my knowledge broadened, my
con idence built. Though I am not yet completely con ident, there has been a major development
from inception.
Prompt #3 Set-Up: Download/print out and complete the Motivation and Career Anchors
Assessment. (See instructions document included with these discussion topic instructions.) Actively
review and consider your results.
In the Motivation and Career Anchors Assessment, my highest score was in the area of
service. Based on the assessment, a service anchor’s priority is serving others and may take many
forms. I particularly liked this clari ication since ‘serving others’ is often boxed in the categories of
charity or army work. However, in my case, I have a passion for serving others in the corporate
environment. Speci ically in the area of customer service. It brings me joy and great satisfaction
when I am able to serve customers and help colleagues.
In the areas of entrepreneurial creativity and and lifestyle integration, I had a tie for second
place. These anchors express my innovative mind desire/ability to strike a balance between my
work and personal life. When I am allowed freedom of expression and can inject my own ideas in
discussions, this is usually a motivating factor for me. According to the explanation of an
entrepreneurial creativity anchor, this quality aligns with my eagerness to have ownership and to
take risks with my own ideas. As it relates to the lifestyle motivation anchor, this was demonstrative
of the fact that I do not allow work to dictate/dominate my life.
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The managerial and technical/functional competence followed in a consecutive manner
closely behind behind the previous two anchors. The managerial anchor touched on my desire for
success and to excel in any area that I work in. It does not denote a state of stagnation but focuses
on one’s ability to climb the corporate ladder. The three main areas that this anchor focuses on
(analytical, interpersonal and emotional competencies) capture some of the core competencies that
I previously highlighted in my EP in OGL 481. Though my skills in each area may vary, previous self
assessment tools have also veri ied that I am competent in each area. This also ties in nicely with the
technical anchor since this focuses on one’s ability to perform highly in specialized ields.
Following these anchors, my scores re lected a tie in the areas of security/stability/
organizational identity and pure challenge. The irst anchor (security/stability/organizational
identity) was re lective of the fact that I seek stability in any job/career that I may pursue. I often
think long-term, therefore, the bene its that a job offers such as retirement/pension plan, social
security, insurance etc. are all areas that I consider when making a decision. My decisions have
never been based solely on salary. This encapsulates what the security anchor embraces. While
geographic location is also an element of this anchor, I do not necessarily consider this as a
deterrent when choosing a job. I also do enjoy a good challenge. Tasks that are monotonous
eventually become boring to me. I enjoy critical thinking and challenges often put my critical
thinking skills to the test. Therefore, this is an area that I would agree on with in the assessment.
Finally, my lowest score was in autonomy. While I do enjoy freedom, independence and
lexibility, this is not priority for me. I do know how to play by the rules and do not have a problem
in doing so. I would consider autonomy as a bonus rather than a need for me.
Prompt #3: Discuss your primary and secondary career anchors. Any surprises? Make some
connections between your current work/life and your scores on the career anchors assessment.
What was your lowest scoring career anchor? Comment on your perceptions about that (and the
career anchors instrument, in general).
Based on the assessment, my primary career anchor is service and my secondary career
anchor is entrepreneurial, however, I would beg to differ with my secondary anchor. By no surprise,
I was in agreement with my career anchor being service. As I’ve explained throughout this course, it
brings me great joy when I am able to serve others. The service anchors denotes a level of
dedication and commitment which I consider as important values in a career. Service is open to
various shapes and forms and does not always have to be direct. Service can also be indirect and can
take the form of support and encouragement. This brings me great joy as it is not self-serving but
allows me to make others satis ied.
The assessment revealed that my secondary anchor is entrepreneurial. While I do agree that
I portray these qualities, based on my own self-perception, I do think that security would be my
secondary career anchor. It is important to me that my career has some measure of stability. I do not
live “for today” but rather “for tomorrow”. I typically consider the bene its that a job can offer as
equally important as salary. In my opinion, long term success trumps short term gains.
Prompt #4: With respect to additional self-assessment instruments that you included (at least 3
from either past courses or taken from the Assessment Links list below), write brie ly about what
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you learned about yourself. (Cite the new assessments you took, and brie ly describe your indings
and how those indings relate to how you see yourself in the world).
Throughout your personal or professional life, what have been the most useful self-assessments
tools for you, and why?
In the self-assessment tools considered in previous classes, I was able to discover myself as
a leader and to ind clarity in the path that I am taking. I’ve discovered that I value the reciprocity
involved in leadership and for this reason, I strive to lead by example so as to inspire others. I’ve
also grown to appreciate the dyadic nature of leadership and to realize that a leadership role
requires wearing multiple shoes. In one of my irst self assessments that I took in OGL 200
(Conceptualizing Leadership Questionnaire), I was able to re lect on my leadership style and to
determine what it says about me as an individual. Here, I started to recognize the attention that I
give to others, realizing that the treatment I give is what will be reciprocated.
In a Cultural Dimensions Self Assessment worksheet completed in OGL 220, I was able to dig
a little into my culture. This helped me to understand the factors that shaped my character and to
encourage the leadership qualities that I display. In my opinion, this was one of the most
contradictory assessments that I took since the results were completely opposite to my self-
perceptions. While I typically consider myself to be a part of a collectivist culture, the results of the
assessments leaned slightly in favour of me being an individualist. This helped me to realize that
while I may perceive myself in one way, there may be underlying characteristics that are aligned
with the opposite. This assessment also helped me to realize that while I may be perceived on the
softer side, this should not be misunderstood since the results revealed that I have a preference for
achievement and heroism which are qualities that are usually aligned with masculinity. This test
helped me to better understand my behaviours.
Additionally, in the Indigo Assessment (completed in OGL 220), I was able to learn and
identify my strengths and top skills as a leader. In this assessment, my perceptions did align with
the assessments. In this assessment, one of my top skills identi ied was continuous learning. This
really helped me to understand how much I have a passion for learning. In my opinion, it
encourages growth and helps me to realize that I should not limit myself as the possibilities are
endless.
All of thee tools have helped to shape my thinking and personal development in different
ways. They aid me in mapping my future path and understanding which options are most suitable
for me based on my interests, behaviours and skills. It is dif icult to select one assessment tool as
most useful but I think the Con lict Styles and Leadership Styles Self Assessment (completed in OGL
220) was one of the most impactful to me. In every aspect of life and leadership, there is con lict.
This assessment gave me a 360 view of handling con licts. I was not only helped to appreciate my
own con lict style but how this could impact a situation. It also helped me to realize that con lict, if
not handled correctly, can easily be escalated and spiral out of control. I have been able to use the
information learnt from this assessment both in the workplace and in my personal life.
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