Career Self-Assessment

1. Self-Evaluation

You already have valuable skills—some technical, some transferable—even if you haven’t worked in IT yet. Reflecting on the types of tasks you enjoy, how you tend to solve problems, and how you relate to others can help guide your career exploration. For example, if you enjoy solving puzzles or figuring out how things work, you might be well suited for cybersecurity or software development. If you enjoy helping others and explaining how things work, IT support or training roles might be a good match. Creative thinkers who enjoy storytelling or design may find satisfaction in UX design or other creative IT careers.

reflect

Which of these sound like you?

Check all that apply.

I like solving puzzles or figuring out how things work.
I enjoy helping people solve problems.
I notice when things are inconsistent or poorly designed.
I like coming up with new ideas.
I’m good at explaining how to use tools or systems.
I enjoy organizing information.
I like learning how different technologies fit together.
I stay calm during tech issues.

If several of these statements sound like you, they can help guide your thinking about what types of IT careers might be a good fit. You don’t need to know your exact role yet, but noticing your natural tendencies and preferences can help you narrow your focus as you continue exploring options in the next sections. Remember, your interests and instincts are important data points. They’re not just helpful for this lesson; they’re clues to building a career that fits your strengths and brings you energy and purpose.

2. Work Preferences

Understanding your work style can help you identify roles that feel more natural and motivating. Think about whether you prefer to work independently or with a team, whether you like structured tasks or creative freedom, and whether you enjoy supporting others or building systems behind the scenes. These preferences can help narrow down IT roles that align with how you like to operate day to day.

try it

Choose one from each pair.

I prefer to …
Work mostly on my own.
Work closely with a team.

I like tasks that …
Have clear steps and rules.
Let me find my own approach.

I feel confident when …
I’m fixing or improving something that’s broken.
I’m building or designing something from scratch.

I’d rather …
Support people directly.
Work behind the scenes.

Your answers to these preferences offer clues about career fit. Those who prefer structured, independent work may enjoy cybersecurity or data roles. If you thrive on teamwork and creativity, project management or design-based careers might be a better match.

3. Career Fit Quiz

This quiz is designed to help you analyze your personal tendencies and preferences and see how they align with common IT career paths. The questions focus on how you think, work, and solve problems—insights that can help identify your current career direction. There are no right or wrong answers; the goal is to discover what fits you best based on who you are right now.

try it

Read each question and choose the answer that best fits you. Each answer has a point value. At the end, add up your total score and see which IT career group fits you best right now.

I prefer to work:
Alone on deep, focused tasks. (1)
Independently, but occasionally collaborate. (3)
With others in real-time collaboration. (5)

I enjoy:
Optimizing and securing existing systems. (1)
Both improving systems and creating new tools. (3)
Designing new experiences or solutions from scratch. (5)

When approaching a new problem:
I want a checklist or specific rules to follow. (1)
I prefer a starting point but want flexibility. (3)
I like experimenting with my own ideas. (5)

My thinking style is more:
Logical and technical. (1)
A mix of analytical and creative. (3)
Visual and imaginative. (5)

I get energized when:
Automating behind-the-scenes systems. (1)
Building tools or dashboards for users. (3)
Teaching someone how to use a tech tool. (5)

When technology fails:
I troubleshoot and restore it calmly. (1)
I restore it and then try to improve it. (3)
I brainstorm big ideas to avoid it in the future. (5)

I enjoy tasks that:
Involve stability, structure, or technical systems. (1)
Blend structure with design or data. (3)
Involve visuals, design, or user interaction. (5)

I like solving:
System- or network-level technical issues. (1)
Performance- or code-level issues. (3)
User questions and support requests. (5)

I am drawn to:
Debugging, security, or hardware problems. (1)
Code optimization and automation. (3)
Managing teams or projects across timelines. (5)

My ideal day includes:
Working through tasks with known tools. (1)
Organizing or building solutions to complex problems. (3)
Designing something brand new. (5)

I work best when:
I have clear rules and detailed instructions. (1)
I have some direction but room to decide how to move forward. (3)
I can be creative with full flexibility. (5)

I would rather:
Stay focused on a technical area. (1)
Share ideas within a team occasionally. (3)
Coordinate people, tools, and priorities across teams. (5)

I value:
Speed, security, and automation. (1)
Functionality and clean design. (3)
Helping users succeed with technology. (5)

I’m most confident when:
Fixing bugs or system problems. (1)
Creating efficient tools or prototypes. (3)
Presenting visual ideas or helping others learn. (5)

I enjoy:
Learning how systems or protocols work. (1)
Exploring how data or apps connect. (3)
Leading teams toward a shared goal. (5)

I’m more interested in:
Network protocols and system performance. (1)
Automation, code, or data workflows. (3)
Design, usability, and interface experience. (5)

I prefer:
Solitary, focused technical work. (1)
Some collaboration with independent time. (3)
Fast-paced collaboration and multitasking. (5)

I’m excited by:
Infrastructure and cybersecurity tools. (1)
Machine learning and data insights. (3)
Visual tech such as animation or interactive interfaces. (5)

In a group, I tend to:
Handle the tech behind the scenes. (1)
Solve problems and improve systems quietly. (3)
Support, mentor, or lead others. (5)

I am curious about:
How systems scale and stay secure. (1)
How apps and tools are built from code. (3)
How to make tech easier and more fun to use. (5)

Add up the points from all 20 questions.
Your Total Score: _____ / 100

Use your total score to find the IT career group that most closely aligns with your preferences and strengths right now, using the table below. This isn’t the final decision about your future; it’s a starting point. Look at your range and read the descriptions to better understand which areas of IT might feel like a good fit. Then, consider which roles in that group you’d like to learn more about or explore further in your coursework.

Score Range	Recommended IT Career Group	Why This Fits
20–34	Cybersecurity & Networking Careers	You’re task oriented, resilient, and prefer structure and logic. You thrive in roles that involve protecting systems and solving concrete problems.
35–44	Software Development Careers	You enjoy logical problem solving, building tools, and continuous improvement. Development gives you space to apply these strengths.
45–54	Data & AI Careers	You are curious about how information works and love patterns, tools, and future-focused technology.
55–64	Project Management & DevOps Careers	You like coordination, structure, and helping teams work better. These careers blend communication with systems thinking.
65–79	Creative IT Careers	You enjoy visuals, innovation, and making tech easier or more delightful for users.
80–100	IT Support & Cloud Computing Careers	You’re a strong communicator who enjoys helping people and solving real-world problems under pressure.

reflect

Based on your results, which one or two traits or preferences stood out to you the most? How do they show up in your everyday life or past work experiences? Were you surprised by your quiz results or by which IT career group was the best fit for you right now? Which career group are you most curious to learn more about?

You don’t have to choose your lifelong career path today. However, the more you understand your strengths and interests, the easier it is to take the next step. Use your quiz results to explore career groups that excite you. Bookmark the options that interest you most, and begin thinking about questions you want to answer or skills you want to develop. Every step of this reflection helps you move toward a career path that feels aligned with who you are and what you enjoy.

As you move forward in this course, keep your quiz results and career group preferences in mind. They can help guide your learning choices, the questions you ask, and the skills you decide to develop. This is just the beginning of your journey, but now you’re starting with clarity and direction.