Running head: CAREER ASSESSMENT PAPER

Career Assessment Paper

Antoinette Benjamin
Wilmington University

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Career Assessment Paper

When I review the various education, careers and volunteer experiences I have had it is
clear to see the common thread of human services. Each path I have taken is linked to a personal
experience, which at the time, I never connected. First, I started off at with the desire to become
a sign language interpreter and educator for the hearing impaired. While education is a field
different from human services the link is that my desire to do this came from a desire to improve
access, education and services for deaf and hearing impaired persons where I was living at the
time. Secondly, a series of events landed me in the Army where I chose emergency medical
technician as a specialty. This choice came from a desire to repair and save lives in a field
environment. Upon completing my contract with the military, I choose to return to school for
nursing which is my third career choice.
My nursing career progressed from being a License Practical Nurse (LPN), to a
Registered Nurse (RN), then earning a bachelors degree in nursing. My experiences in this
profession ranged from long-term care, transitional care, hospice and medical/surgical nursing in
a hospital setting. What I have come to enjoy doing and see a gap in care in is the preventative
education of the patient. Moreover, I am interested and skilled in linking patients to services
which would assist them in improving their quality of life. Seeing the disparities in health care
has been a driving force in my decisions for volunteer work.
Volunteering for various health community walks was my entry into volunteerism. I
choose organizations that focused on raising awareness and funding for local programs. Again, a
common theme of services not open or inclusive for sexual minorities or other minority
populations of the aging was something I noticed. The direction I chose was to obtain a degree in

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the Administration of Human Services. The desire to ensure access and inclusiveness has been a
driving force for my desire for this degree. In addition, competently trained human service
professionals and organizations is a necessity if they wish to be effective and for those
marginalized populations needing services.
Using an assessment tool from StrengthsFinder, I found the results to be in sync with my
personality, talents and interests. In the area of awareness I raked as being deliberative. In short,
this means that I am serious and thoughtful in my actions. I take time to contemplate and am
earnest n my actions. This quality comes from life experiences as a child and then developed and
nurtured during my time in the military. Thus, the theme of responsibility from my assessment is
of no surprise. The overall theme is that I take ownership of what I do and say. What is of interest
is the statement that I expect others to as well as myself to be held to the highest moral standard.
Being completely accurate, I expect those who accept a task to perform it at the best of their
ability. Here again is where I am in agreement with the ranking of being talented in the belief
theme. I have core values that are unchanging and unwavering. Those who know me will state
that my work ethics, career and volunteer choices match what I am passionate and believe in.
I have mixed reactions to the intellection description. I do enjoy sharing my ideas,
insights and experiences, however, I am not who engages in theoretical discussions. Reading
about topics that interest me is a requirement and I do link both my fictional and career related
readings in my interactions with others. What I dont experience is the generating of new
theories or concepts. I do have a desire to learn more and am open to learning on a wide range of
topics; therefore, I do agree with the theme of input ranking. It is interesting and valued greatly
by me to have others share their knowledge and experiences. As I looked at other ratings from
this assessment tool, I find that what I have scored is true to my nature.

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Using a different online tool, MAPP Free Assessment, I found that I was not shocked at
the results. This tool differs from StrengthsFinders in that it identifies my strengths and weakness
and provides career tips based on those findings. In addition, MAPP Free Assessment tool
blended my personal traits and qualities and linked them to specific work tasks. This comparison
allowed for more of an illustration of the connectedness or disconnection of work and my
personal traits.
One example of this can be seen in job interest section. My worker traits revealed that my
actions and thought processes tends to be holistic. It also revealed that motivating factors is the
growth and gain of others. This section also concluded that I am not motivated by recognition or
status. Equally correct is the conclusion that I am not motivated by working with objects or
things of technical nature. The section which evaluated how I relate to people was another
interesting and accurate area. It revealed that I am a trusted counselor, have intuition and
philosophical curiosity that causes an awareness of personality, intentions, emotions, ethics,
values, and moods of other persons (MAPP, 2016). This section again noted that I would not
be motivated by mechanical task or operational processes. Equally so is the rating of my
mathematical skills and interest of which I have little.
Both of these assessment tools reveal much of what I already knew about my worker
traits, personal talents, interests and values. They both also confirmed that a career in human
services is a match for me. However, what is interesting is that they both did not reveal any
motivation or traits needed for administrative leadership. The MAPP assessment revealed this in
the following statements:

few artistic preferencesartistic talent has probably not been developed

does not prefer to have the responsibility fornegotiating activities

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not motivated to lead, manageor administratively control processes

does not prefer the responsibility for organizational, operational or

administrative management
The Strengthsfinder assessment themes that are more associated with a leader of an organization
were not revealed my assessment results:

Command

Competition

Discipline

Focus

Maximizer

Woo

What I have learnt from this is what I have slowly come to realize from my internship
experiences. What motivates my desire to work are direct activities and interactions to ensure
better outcomes for others. The administrative and leadership aspects of human service careers
are has not been of interest to me and it has been illustrated in both assessment tools. Where does
this leave my career path?
Using the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) site, I
researched information for Social and Community Service Managers. This job entails
coordinating and supervising social service programs to the public. According to the BLS site, in
2014 the average annual pay was $62,740. The highest paying industries in this field were state
and local government; followed by religious, civic and professional organizations. The lowest
level of education needed is a bachelors degree as well as work experience of 5 years minimum

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in a related field. However, it is noted that most preferred are candidates with a masters degree.
In addition, program management, statistics and policy analysis are listed as useful pieces of
education. Because of the increasing aging population, according to BLS, this career field is
projected to grow by 10% by the year 2024.
I have chosen this career field as a progression of my professional work experiences and
desire to ensure more inclusive and effective social service programs to the underserved and
marginalized populations. As a nurse, I frequently am aware of those who do are not aware or
have challenges and barriers to accessing programs that would enhance their lives. Secondly, by
doing this I believe there would be a decrease frequent use of such programs which would allow
for better management of local, state and federal programs. Because I have skills and qualities
allowing me to interact with diverse cultural, social, economic, sexual and low to no formal
education, this career field will allow me to ensure that the marginalized populations are targeted
by ensuring effective, inclusive and focused programing that meets the needs of the populations
served. Lastly, as a primary care nurse for over 18 years, I am ready to perform more community
related services. It is my goal to work four shifts to six shifts per month as a nurse and part-time
as a human service manager.
Traits and characteristics unique to me that cannot be taught are that of having a sense of
responsibility, belief and deliberative core value. This governs my thoughts, actions and
interactions with others. One illustration of this was on the day before the community walk in my
home town. I volunteered to arrive early for seating up the event site and despite the downpour
of rain I drove to the site at the designated time. However, it was evident after 30 minutes that
our list of volunteers may never show up. The volunteer coordinator was making calls in an
effort to reach them but I felt the need for action. The event was going to take place and we

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needed to do what we could with the few we had present. I took charge of the 8 volunteers by
summing up the situation and dividing the team into two groups. We were able to complete the
registration, and refreshment tents, tables and decorations while the coordinator remained glued
to the phone and in her car. The 8 of us had an affinity for the organization mission and services
for many reasons and that is what I reminded them as we were working. I inspired trust and
seeing the bigger picture rather than complaining about the weather and lack of committed
volunteers. As a result of my dedication, hard-work and sense of duty and responsibility I was
offered the volunteer coordinator position for the annual community event.
Being a great leader also entails knowing ones weaknesses. Statistical, mathematical and
development of new programs or events are not among my strong skill set. I am not intimidated
when requesting assistance and direction. In fact, I believe that drawing from others unique
characteristics and leadership skills makes for a creative and successful team. Presently, I am
head of a committee for staff education on nursing and the older population. While I am effective
in identifying appropriate topics, researching information on the evidence based practices,
evaluating current practices and recognizing the opportunity for improvement, I am not so
talented in conveying this to others. I lack the artistic and creative flare and lean towards straight
forward explanation and directions. Recognizing the need for varied methods of engaging staff, I
petitioned for an assistant talented in this area. While interviewing for the position, I sought out
those who clearly illustrated and had a passion for the councils mission as well as talent and
skills in media and communication. I am pleased to share that this months educational topic was
well received by staff as evident by the attendance rate of all three in services and post training
survey.

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What I find most challenging for my successfulness in this field is the lack of computer
knowledge and skills. I am not familiar with Excel and have little to no experience in written
inter and intra office communications. My attempt of a mere meeting summary memo to staff
was enough to illustrate this. I am taking a communications class this semester. In addition, for
spring break I have hired someone to teach me various computer applications. Additionally, I
sometimes take on too many tasks and responsibilities in my professional and personal life.
Combine this is a natural tendency of being disorganized and a procrastinator, I understand that a
successful career is not possible. Therefore, I have been reexamining my assumed role as sole
care provider and manager of a family member, taken an hiatus from volunteer work until fall of
this year and no longer accepting overtime hours until after fall of this year. As a human service
provider I have to recognize and acknowledge my own needs and care of self.

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References
StrenghtsFinder 2.0 Report of survey completed on March 2, 2016.
MAPP Assessment (2016) www.assessment.com
United States Department of Labor (December 17, 2015). Bureau of labor statistics:
Occupational outlook handbook. Retrieved from:
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm