Assess Yourself

The FOCUS Program

To assist students in the difficult process of career discovery and career exploration, the Career Center is pleased to be the sole provider of FOCUS on-campus. This is an interactive tool that will collect data about your interests, preferences, and skills, and provide you with suggested career paths based on your individual data set. 

With the results of this self-assessment, and a consultation with a career counselor, you will have detailed information about career options and a good, objective baseline from which to conduct a strategic search.

Users of FOCUS learn to make realistic decisions about their goals and plans, how to self-manage their careers and the importance of adaptability in these times of change.

You are encouraged to meet with a Career Counselor to discuss how FOCUS can help you!  PRINT the FOCUS summary reports and bring the copies to your appointment.    The Career Counselor can review the reports and any questions you may have on the results. Contact the Career Center at (401) 254-3224 to schedule an appointment.

Keep in mind that once your plan is created, the next step always includes connecting with people: alumni, faculty, advisers, your parents, friends, and, of course, employers. Please use the resources of the Career Center to assist in this process. Help with resumes, cover letters, interviewing, networking, and all things career related is at your fingertips by calling the The Career Center at (401) 254-3224.

We encourage all students to meet with a Career Counselor before using the FOCUS program for the first time, To use the system, call the Career Center at 401-254-3224 and then click here.  To return to your FOCUS data, please  click here.

Once you have your results, you may find more detail about individual occupations at O*Net OnLine by clicking here.

Have fun and share your results with the the Career Center, your parents, faculty advisers, and friends to get the most out of the process.

Strong Interest Inventory®

Match your interests with people who are in selected fields to gain insight into what kinds of careers would be a good fit for you.

• After making an appointment with a Career Center staff member for career exploration (deciding on a major/or career field), you may be directed to take this assessment .
• Results will be available approximately 2 weeks later for a review with a counselor.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®

Gain insight into your personality.  Each person has a unique style, but there are four distinct areas of preference that the MBTI® instrument will highlight for you.  Information can then be used to move forward with your career development.

• After making an appointment with a Career Center staff member for career exploration (deciding on a major/or career field), you may be directed to take this assessment .
• Results will be available by appointment within a week of taking the instrument .

® MBTI, Myers-Briggs and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Trust in the United States and other countries.

® Strong Interest Inventory is a registered trademark of CPP, Inc.

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No matter where you are in your academic life, it is never too late to start developing your career action plan. The RWU Career Center is here to help you achieve the success you define for yourself. Anywhere along the way, please use our office as a resource. The Career Center has many services in place to help you succeed.

• 1st Step: Discovery
• 2nd Step: Exploration
• 3rd Step: Experimentation
• 4th Step and Beyond: Implementation

Discovery

Goals: develop awareness of values, personality, interests, and skills

Action Steps

• Meet new people.
• Take FOCUS® and make a follow-up appointment in the Career Center.
• Participate in the Externship Program.
• Attend a Fireside Chat.
• Join student clubs and organizations.
• Meet with your academic advisor.
• Get to know faculty and staff.
• Explore through Core Curriculum and Core Concentration.
• Login to HAWKS HUNT.

Exploration

Goals: Match values, interests and skills to career choices

Action Steps

• Meet with the Career Center.
• Declare your major.
• Attend Career Events.
• Conduct Informational Interviews.
• Attend a Co-op Workshop to become eligible to participate in the program.
• Participate in the Externship Program.
• Explore internship opportunities, and apply for a career-related summer internship.

Experimentation

Goals: Test career decisions, expand academic knowledge, acquire entry-level occupational skills

Action Steps

• Research and obtain co-op/internship.
• Participate in the Externship Program.
• Attend career fairs.
• Develop a resume.
• Begin planning graduate study or researching employers.
• Seek out part-time and  summer work or community service related to career goals.
• Attend career related presentations.
• Build a network.
• Prepare for the GRE, LSAT, or MCAT if you plan to go directly to graduate/professional school.

Implementation

Goals: Complete academic requirements, solidify career direction, develop and implement a job search plan and/or graduate school plan

Action Steps

• Participate in the Externship Program.
• Complete a possible 2nd co-op/internship or obtain career-related part-time employment/volunteer work.
• Network with professionals and alumni.
• Begin Interviewing.
• Attend Career Center programs.
• Choose professional references.
• Update HAWKS HUNT information.
• Send out resumes or graduate school application.

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