Career Tests

[april004]

Ok, now that I have my degree I need to think of how to put it to good use. As of now, still chugging away at practical nursing work. I hate nursing. Don't want to do it any longer. Thinking of getting a certificate to bulk up my resume....but I want to get it in something I may enjoy better than nursing. I don't want to waste my money on a certificate in another field I will hate.

So...what did I do? I took a career test...which told me...I should go into nursing or some other health profession! UGH!

Of course it would say that...I have alot of knowledge from working in health care...doesn't mean my heart is in it.

Can anyone recommend any good career tests out there in cyber land? I am willing to pay a bit of money for it as long as it doesn't just tell me I should go into nursing, once again, because of my existing knowledge.

[JanusthePhoenix]

When I left the navy they gave me a couple of tests like that; one to measure aptitude and one to measure interest. The aptitude test was no help in narrowing it down for me because I had a high score in almost every area. They timed tested me in spatial relation (what shape does this flat template form when you fold it, how many sides does this shape have, etc.), mechanical reasoning, verbal reasoning, language usage, vocabulary, manual dexterity, mostly nothing that a reasonably learned young adult should ever struggle with. The interest test didn't tell me anything I didn't already know about what I wanted to do. In any case, it is not an online test that you can take and they only sell it in bulk.

In summary, I am no help at all. :p Maybe you should just sit down with yourself and take a couple of hours for introspection? That works for me better than any test, but then again I am very introverted to begin with. What else can you do with health-related knowledge? What other fields can build on that? For that matter, what fields are you interested in? Think about the things you used to do for fun when you were younger: those are the kinds of things that an interest test like I took will tell you about.

Best of luck..

[P00057870]

April,

Sorry that I can't answer your very direct question but I am wondering if you have taken the time to think about some issues and start writing down some thoughts.

For example, your existing career -- Practical Nursing -- make two (or three)columns and list what you like, what you do not like, and perhaps neutral items. This is a pro/con type of list.

Then, ask yourself if there are other health careers that would allow you to do the things you like without having to do those you do not like. Perhaps you do not know this answer, but could research it. For example, if you are a PN in a doctor's office you may be tired of the routine of pulling the file, escorting a patient into the room, weighing them and taking vitals, assisting the doctor, dealing with old people, filling in prescriptions for the doctor to sign, returning phone calls, etc -- which may just be boring. If you work in a nursing home, it may be having to brush someones dentures, bathing them, cleaning someone who has soiled themselves, etc. -- you get the picture. It might be low pay and little chance of going further in that specific field.

On the other hand you may like dealing with the people. Or you may like the paperwork but not dealing with people. You need to try to figure this out some of this first, you can figure a lot of this out on your own.

Then you need to see what jobs are really available where you live. If you live where there are very few law offices, it would not pay to consider being a paralegal -- for example. If you are in a big city, you could pursue something like this and it indirectly might build on your skills, especially if you went to work for a law firm who specializes in medical malpractice. You would already be familiar with medical terms and documentation.

You get the picture....Sometimes you have to start the process yourself to try to look at alternatives.

There are many health related careers today that can take only a little more training than you already have. Such as an ultrasound technician, which requires very specific skills, especially now you have a degree. Or if you like being physically active yourself, you might enjoy physical rehabilitation -- helping others to get moving again. There are so many other possibilities that may offer you a good income and not have to do what you dislike doing.

On the other hand, if you have dreams of being an artist or interior designer, you would need to try to dip your toes into that pool and see if it really is what you dream of, as often once you are exposed to a little bit of something you find out it is not what you thought it was.

Hopefully this will be of some help to you.

[P00057870]

JanusthePhoenix beat me to the submit button

Another thought -- Here in Florida it is called WorkForce One -- it is a state run agency to help persons who are either employed or unemployed find jobs. I think they have someone on staff who will run the types of tests that Janus mentioned.

[NAP]

I love the answers you have received already!

I thought that Excelsior offered this type of tests and resources online to their alumni. Have you checked that section of their website?

I hope you find something that you are really good at and enjoy doing!

[bricabrac]

How do you feel about corporate? Nursing is a good background for a clinical research or medical affairs department. Can also look at the insurance companies, Horizon BCBS, Prudential, Metlife. What's nice about corporate is many companies offer tuition reimbursement as one of the perks so after time served they could very well pick up the cost of your masters. Just adding to your list.

Ok, now that I have my degree I need to think of how to put it to good use. As of now, still chugging away at practical nursing work. I hate nursing. Don't want to do it any longer. Thinking of getting a certificate to bulk up my resume....but I want to get it in something I may enjoy better than nursing. I don't want to waste my money on a certificate in another field I will hate.

So...what did I do? I took a career test...which told me...I should go into nursing or some other health profession! UGH!

Of course it would say that...I have alot of knowledge from working in health care...doesn't mean my heart is in it.

Can anyone recommend any good career tests out there in cyber land? I am willing to pay a bit of money for it as long as it doesn't just tell me I should go into nursing, once again, because of my existing knowledge.

[elnino57]

You could be a pharmaceutical sales rep... the pay quite a bit more with a degree. My sister works for Merk and she makes a ton, they give you a car to drive, and a gas card. I'm not pretty enough to do that but if I was I totally do that.

I wouldn't get hung up on career aptitude test. They didn't work for me. The way I got into my desired job was though work experince.

[nj593]

You could be a pharmaceutical sales rep... the pay quite a bit more with a degree. My sister works for Merk and she makes a ton, they give you a car to drive, and a gas card. I'm not pretty enough to do that but if I was I totally do that.

I wouldn't get hung up on career aptitude test. They didn't work for me. The way I got into my desired job was though work experince.

This job that Elnino speaks of is FREAKING GREAT ! They make boat loads of money and lots of perks. Its like getting into the mafia though, you need to know someone to get in from what I hear.
Usually you need a ba and quite a science background to get in also i hear....
But you make about 100+ a year.

[P00057870]

You could be a pharmaceutical sales rep... the pay quite a bit more with a degree. My sister works for Merk and she makes a ton, they give you a car to drive, and a gas card. I'm not pretty enough to do that but if I was I totally do that.

All said here is true>>>>great pay, usually requiring science background - but not always....

Having worked in a physician's office in another life time, they also preferred young and pretty young women -- which you certainly qualify for.

[april004]

Lol....

Yeah, I noticed working in a doctor's office( I mean- how could you not!) the women were always so beautiful( and there I was in baggy scrubs...ugh!) and the guys were handsome and always, always flirtatious.

Getting free dinners was always good. I don't see how those pharmaceutical reps can stay in good shape taking medical staff to restaurants all the time.

The perks sound sweet though. Company Car....paid dinners....

I actually just got called back for an interview at this gym. Huge paycut. Huge. But it's something I'd love to do. I guess I don't need a career test to tell me that I would love doing pushups for a living!

All said here is true>>>>great pay, usually requiring science background - but not always....

Having worked in a physician's office in another life time, they also preferred young and pretty young women -- which you certainly qualify for.