2. Program Overview

3. The Program
The ASVAB Career Exploration Program provides high quality, career exploration and planning materials at no cost to high schools throughout the country. The Program encourages students to explore a wide variety of careers, rather than limiting their exploration by telling them what they can or should do.
The ASVAB Career Exploration Program provides high quality, career exploration and planning materials at no cost to high schools throughout the country. The Program encourages students to explore a wide variety of careers, rather than limiting their exploration by telling them what they can or should do.

4. Importance of Career Exploration
Students make decisions about college or careers before they have spent time thinking about the following key areas:
The ASVAB Program gives students the opportunity to explore a variety of careers using knowledge they have gained about their interests and skills through assessment components and structured activities.
Often, students try to make decisions about college or careers before they have really spent time thinking about their own interests, values, talents, and abilities. Students benefit by understanding that their grades and test scores are only part of the picture when exploring career options. Many other factors are important in determining which occupations will bring personal success and fulfillment. When making career plans, it is helpful for students to have a good understanding of their likes and dislikes, as well as their strengths. The goal of the ASVAB Program is to give students the opportunity to explore a variety of careers using knowledge they have gained about their interests and skills through assessment components and structured activities.

5. Keeping Options Open
Planning and decision making will benefit students throughout their lives.
Career Development is an Ongoing Process
Students’ career plans are in formative stage
Career plans develop and change over time
The ASVAB Career Exploration Program emphasizes the importance of planning and decision making, skills that can benefit students throughout their lives. Career development during adolescence and early adulthood is an ongoing process. Students’ career plans are in the formative stages, and these plans will continue to develop and change over time. Some career programs focus on narrowing down occupational choices for high school students. The ASVAB Program takes the opposite approach; it helps broaden a student’s career search.
In the next section, you’ll learn more about the specific benefits of the ASVAB Program.

6. Who Benefits?

7. Student Benefits The ASVAB Program encourages students to: Explore
Learn about themselves and the world of work
Plan
Find out what they need to do to meet career goals Do
Take steps toward getting skills and qualifications for various occupations
The career exploration is
wonderful. I think it
especially helps because it
uses interests and skills to
look at careers. Often, students
have a hard time putting those
together on their own.
-- High School Counselor
Students, counselors, and school districts all benefit from the ASVAB Program.
Students explore occupations in line with their interests and skills. In addition, they can compare their academic preparation against the requirements for entry into desired programs of study or occupations. In this way, they develop effective strategies to realize their career goals. The Program is easily integrated into the high school curriculum and comes with activities designed to help students identify high school courses that will increase their skills and readiness for future education or employment. Seeing the connection between their current educational planning and their future goals will help students foster a greater sense of responsibility for that planning.

8. School and Counselor Benefits
The ASVAB Program gives schools and counselors:
Comprehensive Career Program
Designed for all students, regardless of future career or educational plans
Aligned with current career development theory and practice
Ready-to-Use Activities
Created to guide students through career and coursework planning
High school counselors, schools, and school districts also benefit in a number of ways from the ASVAB Program. Schools gain a career development program that meets the needs of today’s students, whether they plan to enter the workforce right away or pursue further education. The Program presents a full-spectrum of career opportunities to students, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or ability level. Counselors benefit from a comprehensive program that is based on and rigorously aligned with current career development theory and practice. Counselors can use ready-to-use activities that relate high school courses to career planning.
These are the overall benefits of the Program. Let’s look in more detail at the main components of the Program to give you a better idea of how the career exploration program works.

9. What are the Main Components?

10. Multiple-Aptitude Test
ASVAB Test
Assessment of student’s ability to learn new skills
Predictor of success in training and education programs
General Science
Knowledge of life science, earth and space science, and physical science
Arithmetic Reasoning
Ability to solve basic arithmetic word problems
Word Knowledge
Ability to understand the meaning of words through synonyms
Paragraph Comprehension
Ability to obtain information from written material
Mathematics Knowledge
Knowledge of mathematical concepts and applications
Electronics Information
Knowledge of electrical current, circuits, devices, and electronic systems
Auto and Shop Information
Knowledge of automotive maintenance and repair, and wood and metal shop practices
Mechanical Comprehension
Knowledge of the principles of mechanical devices, structural support, and properties of materials
The ASVAB test is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world. The ASVAB tests in eight different areas. The test has proven to be a good measure of how students have developed both academic and occupational skills. It also measures aptitudes that are related to success in different jobs as well as training and education programs.

11. Interest Inventory Find Your Interests (FYI)
90-item interest inventory
Work-related interests
The FYI (Find Your Interests) is a 90-item interest inventory designed to help students identify their work-related interests. The FYI is based on John Holland’s widely accepted theory of career choice which identifies six basic personality types. When students complete the FYI, they will receive three Top Interest Codes to use in conjunction with the OCCU-Find for career exploration.

12. Career Exploration Tool
OCCU-Find
400+ occupations
Skill Importance Ratings
O*NET/OOH occupational descriptions
The OCCU-Find contains more than 400 occupations grouped by the six RIASEC interest areas so students can quickly identify the occupations that match their own interests. Students use the OCCU-Find to explore careers based on their top interest codes. The OCCU-Find provides additional information on skill requirements-including the importance of verbal, math, and science and technical skills. Students can use this information to get a better sense of their own preparedness to enter training programs. The online version of the OCCU-Find links directly to both O*NET and OOH job descriptions.

13. The ASVAB Interpretation Session

14. Interpretation Session Overview
Who Runs the Sessions?
Education Services Specialists
High school counselors
How Long do They Last?
30-60 minutes
What do Students Receive?
ASVAB test results
Exploring Careers: The ASVAB Career Exploration Guide
FYI
The heart of the ASVAB Career Exploration Program is the interpretation session. This session is run by trained Education Services Specialists or counselors. Interpretation sessions are scheduled after schools receive student ASVAB test results. These sessions are extremely important and give students time time to understand their test scores. In addition, the sessions help students make the connection between their scores and career exploration. Interpretation sessions typically last between 30 and 60 minutes, or one class period. During the session, students receive their ASVAB test results as well as Exploring Careers: The ASVAB Career Exploration Guide, a career exploration booklet that includes a paper version of the FYI.
The ASVAB Career Exploration Guide is a resource designed to help students:
1) Understand and use their ASVAB scores for career exploration with the OCCU-Find
2) Learn about sources of occupational information
3) Consider work-related values when making career decisions
4) Evaluate their current academic preparation for admission or entry into a program of study or an occupation
5) Learn about various educational opportunities
6) Learn planning and career decision-making skills

15. Interpreting Test Scores
ASVAB Summary Results Sheet
Before exploring careers, students need to have a good understanding of their ASVAB Summary Results Sheet. When it comes to test results, students tend to fixate on the numbers. The interpretation session gives the counselor the opportunity to emphasize that the ASVAB is an aptitude test. It is not an absolute measure of skills and abilities nor is it a perfect predictor of success or failure. Instead, it provides estimates of general levels of developed abilities at the current point in time.
The interpretation session:
1) Provides students with an overview of the ASVAB Summary Results sheet
2) Explains to students what their scores mean
3) Explains to students the difference between standard and percentile scores
4) Encourages students discuss satisfaction or dissatisfaction with scores
5) Shows students the relevance of ASVAB test scores for career exploration
The ASVAB Summary Results sheet shows ASVAB test and career exploration scores, as well as a military entrance score. ASVAB test scores correspond to the eight ASVAB test areas. Career Exploration Scores are comprised of a combination of some of the individual ASVAB tests. The Verbal Skills score includes Word Knowledge and Reading Comprehension. The Math Skills score includes Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge. The Science and Technical Skills score includes General Science, Electronics Information, and Mechanical Comprehension.
Percentile scores indicate how well students do in relation to others in their grade. Standard scores show how well students do in relation to the average scores of others who have taken the ASVAB tests. Notice how the standard scores are displayed using gray score bands. Students need to know that test scores are never an exact measure of skills and abilities. In this example, score bands show the range that this student’s scores would probably fall in if she took the test again.
During the interpretation, students learn that ASVAB scores provide one measure of skills and abilities. This is important because ASVAB scores, combined with information about interests, achievements, and other test results, may help them select appropriate occupations for career exploration. As students explore careers, they can compare their skills with the skill requirements of occupations they are interested in.
Military entrance scores are appropriate for students wishing to explore opportunities in the Armed Services.

16. Student Reaction to Scores
Questions for Students to Ask Themselves
Have I put as much effort into my school work in an area (verbal, math, or science and technology) as I can?
To what extent have I taken the right classes? Have I avoided the extra math or English classes that would have likely allowed me to increase my scores?
Has the fact that I have not taken some of the technical classes lowered my scores? Will this impact my readiness for a career?
Did the climate at home or in school make it difficult to focus on school work?
Students’ reactions to their ASVAB test scores can range from surprise and happiness to shock and disappointment. No matter how well or how poorly they scored, It is important for students to view these test scores as an estimate of their knowledge and achievements at this point in their lives. The scores are not fixed; they are a function of a student’s learning opportunities as well as a host of other factors. Students, educators, and communities can do a great deal to help students achieve their fullest potential.
Students are often eager to talk about their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their scores. The interpretation session can be an opportunity for students to ask themselves important questions about themselves:
1) Have I put as much effort into my school work in an area (verbal, math, or science and technology) as I can?
2) To what extent have I taken the right classes? Have I avoided the extra math or English classes that would have likely allowed me to increase my scores?
3) Has the fact that I have not taken some of the technical classes lowered my scores? Will this impact my readiness for a career?
4) Did the climate at home or in school make it difficult to focus on school work?

17. Taking the FYI Importance of the FYI
Interest types can help determine career fields
Work-related interests link to career development and enjoyment of life
Once students understand their test scores, they can begin the process of career exploration. Students need about minutes to take the FYI. The FYI inventory asks students respond to items by indicating a preference for the various activities presented to them. Based on the answers to these items, the FYI determines the student’s resemblance to each of six interest types (RIASEC types).
Taking the FYI during the interpretation session is important. Students may skip over this step otherwise. The interpretation session helps students understand that the FYI can help them identify their work-related interests and can, in turn, help them determine career fields or occupations that are potentially satisfying. Work-related interests are also important to overall career development and enjoyment of life. Working in an occupation that interests them makes it easier to work harder and advance in a career.

18. Using the OCCU-Find
With results from the ASVAB test and the FYI, students can explore occupations using the OCCU-Find.
The next part of the interpretation session focuses on using the OCCU-Find. With results from the ASVAB test and the FYI, students can explore occupations using the OCCU-Find. Together with their parents, counselors, and teachers they can begin to develop initial educational and career plans. During the interpretation session, students can:
1) Look at occupations that correspond to their top interest codes
2) Review skill importance ratings
For each occupation in the OCCU-Find, students will be able to see the skill importance ratings for verbal, math, and science and technical skills. These ratings indicate the relative importance of Verbal, Math, Technical skills to occupations. Students can compare these ratings with their ASVAB Career Exploration scores to see how their skills relate to the skill requirements for the occupation.
Students are encouraged to view career exploration and planning as a lifelong journey. Students begin the journey by using the OCCU-Find, but they need to know that this is not a narrowing down process that will result in finding the right match. Rather, their scores should empower them to explore and try things out in more depth. In addition, students need to know that they can work toward improving their skills through education and/or training.

19. ASVAB Program Website
The interpretation session can also be conducted via the ASVAB Program website. Students can use access codes provided on the ASVAB Summary Results sheet to log in to the MyASVAB area and take the FYI online. They can also access the OCCU-Find. The advantage of the online OCCU-Find is that it links to detailed occupational descriptions from O*NET and the Occupational Outlook Handbook. For students interested in military careers, the OCCU-Find also links to job descriptions on
Once students have taken the FYI and have their three top interest codes, the MyASVAB area will display their top interest codes whenever they log into the site again. In this way, they can continue career exploration on their own.
provides key information about the ASVAB Career Exploration Program for
students, parents, educators, and counselors. Counselors and educators can download program materials such as
The ASVAB Career Exploration Program Counselor Manual, and supplemental guided career exploration and planning activities that educators can use with students. The website also contains an interactive version of the FYI and OCCU-Find. Students need the Access Code that they receive on their ASVAB Summary Results sheet to use the online FYI and OCCU-Find.

20. Career Planning Materials
Classroom Activities
Coursework planning based on career interests and goals
The interpretation session generally lasts one class period, about enough time for students to review ASVAB test results, take the FYI, and become familiar with the OCCU-Find.
The ASVAB Program has several additional activities and tools that can be used by counselors or teachers after the interpretation session. These tools can make the career exploration and planning process a richer experience for students. After students have identified tentative occupational choices based on their interests and skills, they are encouraged to explore these choices further, by planning the remainder of their high school courses and clarifying their post-high school goals.
My Educational and Career Plans Summary Sheet encourages students to explore occupations based on their interests, hobbies, achievements and favorite experiences. The Coursework Planner helps students determine what remaining high school courses they should take based on the requirements for occupations that interest them.

21. Is the Program Right for Your School?

22. Another Assessment Test?
How the ASVAB Test Differs
Important component in career counseling
Objective ability assessment with links to career planning
The ASVAB test “is
distinguished by superior
norms, a thorough
investigation of test fairness,
and unsurpassed criterion-
related validity data.”
-- Ryan Krane and Tirre (2005).
Ability Assessment in Career Counseling
High school administrators and counselors have expressed some reservations about including the ASVAB Career Exploration program in their schools. Many administrators question whether they need or want to administer another aptitude test in school, especially with all of the pressures that currently exist for testing. The ASVAB test differs from other aptitude tests in at least one significant way because it can be directly useful for career planning. The ASVAB test has been recognized as an important component in career counseling.
Career development psychologists, Ryan Krane and Tirre, have recognized that the ASVAB test “is distinguished by superior norms, a thorough investigation of test fairness, and unsurpassed criterion-related validity data.” In addition, they point out that objective ability assessments such as the ASVAB test are more accurate and useful than other ability self-estimate assessments. In self-estimate assessments, people tend to underestimate their own abilities and thus limit their career choices. Objective ability assessments can help people override false beliefs about potential career paths and also encourage them to explore new career avenues.

23. Administering the ASVAB Test
What Role Does the School Play?
Determines test date
Sets aside a quiet, well-lit room for three hours
What Role Does the ASVAB Program Play?
Administers and proctors the test
Arranges follow-up interpretation session
Schools also often wonder how they will find the time and the staff to administer the ASVAB test. First off, schools determine when and where the ASVAB will be given. In this way, they can control the test date and ensure that it does not conflict with other student testing. (The ASVAB takes about three hours.) The only other obligation of the school is to provide a quiet, well-lit room for the three-hour testing period.
Administration of the ASVAB test falls to the ASVAB program. The Program provides all test material and send proctors to administer the test. Schools may provide proctors, but are not required to do so.

24. ASVAB Program and the Military
Important Facts
Civilian education services specialists administer ASVAB Program
Schools determine whether or not student information is released to the military
Recruiters serve as test proctors only; they are expressly prohibited from recruiting actions during test administration
Participants have no obligation to speak to a recruiter or pursue a military career
50% of participants intend on going to a 4-year college; 9% have an interest in military careers
One other concern among schools is the relationship between the ASVAB Program and the military. The ASVAB test, when administered at a military recruiting station, is a tool that recruiters use to help them identify candidates for the military.
However, when the ASVAB test is administered as part of the ASVAB Career Exploration Program, it serves a very different purpose. As we have seen in this presentation, the ASVAB test provides students with critical information with which to measure their current abilities and skills. ASVAB test scores tie directly to career exploration scores and help students begin to make connections between their skills and various occupations.
Other important facts about the Program:
1) Civilian education services specialists administer ASVAB Program
2) Schools determine whether or not student information is released to the military
3) Recruiters serve as test proctors only; they are expressly prohibited from recruiting actions during test administration
4) Participants have no obligation to speak to a recruiter or pursue a military career
5) 50% of participants intend on going to a 4-year college; 9% have an interest in military careers

25. Career Intentions of High School Students
Student Testing Program,
Data collected in School Year Over 12,150 schools and over 630,000 students participated in the ASVAB CEP.

26. Let’s Review

27. Why the Program Benefits You
The ASVAB Career Exploration Program is a cost-free and comprehensive program for high school students.
Students explore occupations in line with interests and skills, and develop strategies to realize career goals.
The Program is easily integrated into the high school curriculum.
The Program presents a full-spectrum of career opportunities to students.
The ASVAB Career Exploration Program is a cost-free and comprehensive program for high school students.
Students explore occupations in line with interests and skills, and develop strategies to realize career goals.
The Program is easily integrated into the high school curriculum.
The Program presents a full-spectrum of career opportunities to students.