Tuesday, July 28, 2009

References

CERC- Career Exploration Resource Center
CELLI- The Center for Experiential Learning, Leadership, and Technology
CCBC- The Community College of Baltimore County
Hollandcodes.com
Jones, Lawence K., Copyright 2003
Rogue Community College-online quiz
Suite 101
Wikipedia

Using Strong in the School Setting

http://www.roguecc.edu/counseling/HollandCodes/test.asp

Using Strong in the Professional Setting

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Test Administration

* 291 item questionnaire that can be completed online or by hand

* Can be used with wide range of age groups and diverse population

* Takes an average 35 - 40 minutes to complete

* Validity is not compromised if broken up into shorter sessions

* Can be administered individually or in groups

* Must have a 4 year degree and course work in psychological testing and measurements in order to administer the test.

* When answering the SII it is important to remember there is no right or wrong answer.

* Don’t answer based on how well you could perform a job or activity.

* Choose answer in terms of how much you would like or dislike that activity.

* Do not try to analyze your responses too much.

* The five choices are Strongly Like, Like, Indifferent, Dislike, and Strong Dislike.

General Test Information

The test provides the client with five main types of information:

* General Occupational Themes (GOTs) - description of the interrelationship between Holland Codes and Interests, Work activities, Potential skills, and Personal values

* Basic Interest Scales (BISs) - your Basic Interest Scales Report will give you your TOP FIVE Interest Areas and the Areas of Least Interest.

* Occupational Scales (OSs) - Comparison of your likes and dislikes with those people who are satisfied working in various occupations.The Occupational Scales matches your interests to 122 occupations. Your score matched the likes and dislikes of people who are working in and are satisfied that career. The occupations are an example of a larger job cluster. The TOP TEN Occupations are the careers that most closely match your interests.

* Personal Style Scales (PSSs) - Description of relationship between Holland Code Themes, work styles, learning, risk taking, and team work.
Examples of Personal Style Scales include
Working with People
Enjoying helping others
Preferring practical learning environments
Preferring short-term training
Taking charge of others
Taking risks
Making quick decisions
Working on teams

* Profile Summary
Overview of Your Highest Themes, Theme code, Top Five Interest Areas, Areas of Least Interest, Top Ten Strong Occupations, Occupations of Dissimilar Interest, and Personal Style Scales Preferences

Background

* The Strong Interest Inventory was introduced in 1927 by E.K. Strong, a researcher at Stanford University, to help people exiting the military find jobs.

* First test was 1000 questions and only for men because Strong thought that men and women were not interested in the same careers.

* Beginning in the mid-fifties, graduate student David Campbell helped Strong revise the tests.

* It was revised later by Jo-Ida Hansan, and Campbell.

* The modern version is based on the Holland Codes by psychologist John L. Holland.

Purpose of the Test

* Developed for career counselors and academic advisors who support college and high school students.

* Also used by practitioners who help adults with career decisions.

* The Strong measures interests, not skills or abilities, and the results can help guide you toward rewarding careers, work activities, education programs, and leisure activities - all based on your interests.

The Strong can be a valuable tool in helping you identify your interests, enabling you to:
* achieve satisfaction at work.
* identify career options consistent with your interests.
* choose appropriate education and training relevant to your interests.
* maintain balance between your work and leisure activities.
* understand aspects of your personality most closely associated with your interests.
* determine your preferred learning environments.
* learn about your preferences for leadership, risk taking and teamwork.
* use interests in shaping your career direction.
* decide on a focus for the future.
* direct your own career exploration at various stages in your life.

* The Strong empowers clients to discover their true interests so they can better identify, understand, and often expand their career options.