ABINGTON, Pa. — Penn State Abington students are eligible to take a variety of assessments at no charge that can provide them with insight into their strengths, allow them to refine their goals, and support them in choosing more satisfying majors and careers. The assessment results are reviewed with Career and Professional Development (CPD) staff, who offer guidance in interpreting and applying the findings in students’ academic, professional and personal lives.
The primary assessment is the CliftonStrengths by Gallup, which identifies 34 talent themes and strategies for individuals to apply them. It is administered to all students enrolled in the required first-year seminar and those in leadership roles including resident assistants and orientation leaders. Other undergraduates may contact CPD to schedule assessments.
For student Giselle Garbaccio, the assessment provided her with a tool to understand herself in a deeper way.
“The CliftonStrengths assessment really helped me understand what strengths I possess and how that can help me with not only my career goals, but also how I go through life,” she said.
Jennifer Rae, a career counselor in CPD, supports students in evaluating their results, which are rooted in positive psychology.
“The greatest value in assessments is increasing a student's self-awareness about their interests, values, strengths, and personality so that they can then make informed decisions about their careers and use talents that come naturally to them. It isn't meant to be a ‘test,’ but it can be incredibly helpful for students to clarify their goals,” she said.
Rae urges students to include their top five CliftonStrengths on their resumes and LinkedIn profiles.
"Think about your strengths and how you can connect them to your major and your career, and then show recruiters how you can use those strengths to be successful,” she said.