Career assessments can help you move forward

Raleigh, N.C. — Lost your job or know someone who has? A few minutes on a computer might just point you in the direction of new career options.

Thu Washington, coordinator of counseling services at Wake Technical Community College, says career assessments are a good way to help you narrow your focus.

Assessments measure your interests, personality and skills and can help give you ideas about careers you may want to explore.

Several are available online, such as the "Career Key" test on the College Foundation of North Carolina Web site. Click through a series of questions about what interests you, about your general interests and your skills, as well as about you and your values.

Another point of the test is to see options you may not have thought of before.

The program also gives quick information about what's actually involved in a job, such as educational requirements and salary ranges within North Carolina.

"Let's don't dwell in the past," Washington said. "Let's look at the future. Let's look at what you are going to do now. Now that you're laid off, what is your next step?"