Self-awareness is the foundation of growth. In this section, you’ll explore your values, interests, and strengths — the building blocks that guide meaningful career choices. Understanding who you are can help you navigate opportunities with greater clarity and confidence.
Skills and strengths
Identify the skills and talents that set you apart. These resources can help you articulate your strengths, understand what energizes you, and recognize how your capabilities contribute to USC’s mission.
Skills and strengths inventories
- VIA Character Strengths Survey – A research-based free self-assessment that helps identify core character strengths to support personal and professional development. A free version is available, as well as an optional paid report.
- Holland Code Test – A career assessment tool that identifies interests and aligns with compatible career paths based on six personality types.
- 16 Personalities – A personality assessment that combines Myers-Briggs theory with modern psychology to provide insights into traits, communication styles, and personal growth paths. A free overview is available, with an optional premium report for purchase.
Identifying your Transferable Skills
Identify versatile skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, that can be applied across different roles, industries, and career paths.
Values
Clarify what matters most to you in your work and life. Understanding your values can help guide decisions and align your career path with what brings you fulfillment.
- Living Into Our Values (Brené Brown) – A guided exercise to help identify and apply your core values. Begin by listening to the Living Into Our Values podcast episode, and then use the values list and reflection worksheet to connect values to everyday behaviors.
- Work Values Assessment – An online self-assessment that helps you identify the work values most important to you and what drives satisfaction and engagement in your career.
Interests
Explore the topics, tasks, and challenges that capture your curiosity. Understanding your interests can help you pursue work that keeps you motivated and engaged.
- O*Net Online – A comprehensive career exploration tool from the U.S. Department of Labor that provides detailed information on job roles, skills, interests, and labor market trends.
- Ikigai Exercise – A reflective exercise tool that helps identify meaningful career paths by exploring the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, and what you can be paid for.