Career assessment services to be offered for high schoolers

Students in Purdue's counseling psychology doctoral program within the Department of Educational Studies will offer a career assessment service this summer to the high school children of Purdue faculty and staff and to local high schoolers.

The career assessment service is available from May 20 to July 26. Each career assessment will consist of three or four sessions that will take place during the course of three to five weeks.

Although the career assessment service is aimed at high school juniors, it is also available to sophomores and seniors. This career assessment service is not open to current Purdue students, who can seek career-related assistance from the Center for Career Opportunities.

Career assessments will take place at Purdue's Counseling and Guidance Center, which is in Beering Hall, Room 3202. Doctoral students will serve as clinicians under the supervision of a faculty member.

The career assessment process will include:

* A structured, career-related interview that will take place during the first session.

* Five career instruments completed in one or two sessions. The instruments will assess students’ career interests, career skills confidence, career values, career decision-making tendencies, and lifestyle preferences.

* A wrap-up session when clinicians will provide feedback and a written report to the students and their parents.

Sessions will vary in length. The first and last sessions will last about an hour and the career instruments session will last longer.

The parents of high schoolers can sign up their teens for this service by calling the Counseling and Guidance Center at 765-494-9738. The student's name, age, and year in school are required, as well as their parents' names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. Interested families should call now to reserve a space for the summer, as spaces are limited.

The assessment fee of $100, ­paid via cash or a check, is required at the first session. However, a limited number of sliding scale or pro bono appointments are offered for families with limited financial means. Contact the center for more details.