Who Do You Think You Are?
Pretty soon, you’re going to have to start thinking not just about who you are but about who you want college admissions officers and hiring managers to think you are. But it’s not always easy to see yourself clearly. Getting some outside help can go a long way.
You can complete a couple personality tests. We’re not talking about one of those — pick a dessert and we’ll pick your major — quizzes, but structured questionnaires that help you understand your preferences and tendencies.
Popular options include:
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI):
Aims to identify your preferences across four pairs, such as Extroversion/Introversion. The “16 Personalities” website provides a free, streamlined version of the MBTI and suggests career fields and roles that might suit you.
The Big Five (OCEAN) model:
Covers five personality dimensions, such as agreeableness and conscientiousness. There are many free versions of this model online.
StrengthsFinder (CliftonStrengths):
Often used by professionals, the finder has student versions available to help you identify what you naturally do well and how to develop these talents.
Remember your results may vary. Just try to be honest and answer quickly. Then take time to reflect on your results: Do they sound like you? What strengths or weaknesses did they highlight that you hadn’t fully recognized? How might the information help you in the future?
The more you understand yourself, the more empowered you’ll be to make choices that truly align with who you are and the more authentically you can present yourself to others.
