Aptitudes Exploring Self
What is Aptitude? Natural talent or ability Acquired through life experiences, training, or studying Can also mean your capacity to acquire a skill Aptitudes are exclusive High aptitude in one task does not mean high aptitudes in other areas May read in job description need to have aptitude for science
Aptitude Assessment Great tool for career guidance Identify abilities Math with occupations requiring these abilities Assessments never only tool used Other factors to consider Personality type, interests, values DAT – Differential Aptitude test GATB – General Aptitude Test Battery ASVAB – Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Colleges & Employers PCAT – looks for abilities and aptitudes essential for pharmacy school Career development professionals commonly use DAT GATB. Asvab gives to enlistees. Used to classify for training opportunities PCAT pharmacy college admission test Colleges for certain academic programs
Things to Consider To reiterate DO NOT use alone in career search Great tool when used with other tools Having an aptitude does not always equal success in every job within it Several occupations require same aptitude Should not feel like only qualified for one thing Might be good at something, but do not enjoy it Aptitude for math does not always equal career using this ability May indicate success in an occupation doesn’t mean every job within it. Required abilities may vary from one job to another even in same occupation
Aptitude & IQ Similar Both deal with intellect IQ – overall/general indication of intelligence Aptitude – shows where intelligence resides Intellect can grow/improve same as ability to do pushups Ability to perform task Difference is what they tell us
Other Terms to Know Traits – all aspects of one’s behavior/attitudes Makes up persons personality Have both good/bad Genetic traits Interests – state of wanting to know or learn about something or someone Attitudes – settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something Often reflected in ones behavior Skills – ability to do something well An expertise Distinguishing quality/characteristic
How can you use these items to better address your college/career path?