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 high school-age children of Purdue faculty and staff, as well as to high schoolers in Tippecanoe County and surrounding counties.

The career assessment service will be offered from May 25 to July 31. Each career assessment will consist of two sessions that will take place within two to four weeks.

The career assessment service is open to high schoolers of all ages, says Eric Deemer, associate professor of counseling and development, but is not open to current Purdue students, as they can seek career-related assistance from the Center for Career Opportunities.

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

The career assessment process will include:

* A structured, career-related intake interview that will take place during the first session. Four career-related tests will be administered in this session as well. The instruments will assess students’ career interests, career skills confidence, academic achievement, and personality traits. Achievement test results may be used to help students identify areas of academic strength/weakness in preparation for college, and prepare for SAT/ACT testing this fall.

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

Sessions will vary in length. The first will last about 3 hours and the wrap-up session will last about 30 minutes.

The parents of high schoolers can sign their teens up 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 and contact information. Interested families are encouraged to call now to reserve a space, as clients will not be accepted after June 30.

The assessment fee of $100, ­paid via cash or check, will be required at the first session.