The assessment process for competency
in an administrative career
PYC4807
Assignment 2: 847603
Student number: 48555703
PYC4807: 847603 Student no: 48555703
,TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1
2. Context and aim of the assessment ................................................................................ 1
2.1 The context of career counselling for Jon ................................................................... 1
2.2 The person-environment fit approach ......................................................................... 2
2.2.1 Assessing Intelligence ........................................................................................ 2
2.2.2 Assessing aptitude .............................................................................................. 3
2.2.3 Assessing vocational interests ............................................................................ 3
2.2.4 Assessing personality ......................................................................................... 3
2.2.5 Assessing values ................................................................................................. 4
2.3 Application of the person-environment fit to Jon’s scenario ....................................... 4
3. Compiling a test battery .................................................................................................. 5
3.1 Appropriateness of each measure within the context .................................................. 5
3.1.1 The Learning Potential Computerised Adaptive Test (LPCAT) ............... 6
3.1.2 The Differential Aptitude Tests (DAT) ..................................................... 8
3.1.3 Self-directed Search (SDS) ........................................................................ 9
3.1.4 The Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ) ................................. 10
3.2 The suitability of a measure of learning potential (dynamic assessment) ................... 11
4. Administration, interpretation of results and feedback ............................................... 12
4.1 General guidelines for individual administration ........................................................ 12
4.2 Ethical considerations within the current context ....................................................... 13
4.3 Interpretations of results .............................................................................................. 14
4.4 Potential influence of language and socio-cultural factors ......................................... 15
4.5 Feedback format .......................................................................................................... 16
5. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 16
Reference List ................................................................................................................... 18
Plagiarism Declaration .................................................................................................... 23
PYC4807: 847603 Student no: 48555703
,
The assessment process for competency in an administrative career
1. Introduction
Jon is an 18-year-old Zulu-speaking student who matriculated in rural KwaZulu-Natal. He enrolled for
a diploma in administration, with the hope of pursuing a job that entails regular interaction with others.
Some of the tasks typically included in an administrative job are: managing correspondence, dealing
with personnel issues, being informed about the budget, answering client queries, arranging and taking
minutes at meetings and organising functions. In order to confirm that the career he has in mind is
suitable for him, he requested career counselling from an educational psychologist.
Psychological assessment measures relating to career suitability has great value, as job satisfaction is a
specific indicator of well-being (Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018). According to the World Health Foundation
mental health is ‘a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her potential, can cope
with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution
to her or his community’ (Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018, p.201). The following essay outlines the assessment
process that should be followed to ensure that Jon’s abilities, interests, personality and values match his
chosen career path.
2. Context and aim of the assessment
2.1 The context of career counselling for Jon
Choosing a satisfying occupation is a key life decision for young adults like Jon (Erikson, 1956). Jon
has certain aspirations and goals in terms of building a career. His interests are in administration and
interpersonal relations, and he has subsequently enrolled for a diploma in administration. One’s chosen
career path is extremely important as it impacts on your finances, relationships, mental health and
emotional state. Overall it affects your well-being and life satisfaction (Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018). Jon
wants to ensure that he is making the correct decision and therefore opted for career counselling.
Career counselling is a comprehensive process whereby a professional guides the client in identifying
their current and potential skill strengths, and helps them to match it to the most suitable, fulfilling
career (Ryan-Krane & Tirre, 2005). The process can include both standardized psychological tests
relating to aspects of intelligence, aptitude, interests, personality traits and values; as well as qualitative
methods (Maree & Morgan, 2012). The career counsellor will have to take Jon’s context into
consideration. He is 18-years old, from a rural, collectivist cultural background and probably from a
PYC4807: 847603 1
Student no: 48555703
in an administrative career
PYC4807
Assignment 2: 847603
Student number: 48555703
PYC4807: 847603 Student no: 48555703
,TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1
2. Context and aim of the assessment ................................................................................ 1
2.1 The context of career counselling for Jon ................................................................... 1
2.2 The person-environment fit approach ......................................................................... 2
2.2.1 Assessing Intelligence ........................................................................................ 2
2.2.2 Assessing aptitude .............................................................................................. 3
2.2.3 Assessing vocational interests ............................................................................ 3
2.2.4 Assessing personality ......................................................................................... 3
2.2.5 Assessing values ................................................................................................. 4
2.3 Application of the person-environment fit to Jon’s scenario ....................................... 4
3. Compiling a test battery .................................................................................................. 5
3.1 Appropriateness of each measure within the context .................................................. 5
3.1.1 The Learning Potential Computerised Adaptive Test (LPCAT) ............... 6
3.1.2 The Differential Aptitude Tests (DAT) ..................................................... 8
3.1.3 Self-directed Search (SDS) ........................................................................ 9
3.1.4 The Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ) ................................. 10
3.2 The suitability of a measure of learning potential (dynamic assessment) ................... 11
4. Administration, interpretation of results and feedback ............................................... 12
4.1 General guidelines for individual administration ........................................................ 12
4.2 Ethical considerations within the current context ....................................................... 13
4.3 Interpretations of results .............................................................................................. 14
4.4 Potential influence of language and socio-cultural factors ......................................... 15
4.5 Feedback format .......................................................................................................... 16
5. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 16
Reference List ................................................................................................................... 18
Plagiarism Declaration .................................................................................................... 23
PYC4807: 847603 Student no: 48555703
,
The assessment process for competency in an administrative career
1. Introduction
Jon is an 18-year-old Zulu-speaking student who matriculated in rural KwaZulu-Natal. He enrolled for
a diploma in administration, with the hope of pursuing a job that entails regular interaction with others.
Some of the tasks typically included in an administrative job are: managing correspondence, dealing
with personnel issues, being informed about the budget, answering client queries, arranging and taking
minutes at meetings and organising functions. In order to confirm that the career he has in mind is
suitable for him, he requested career counselling from an educational psychologist.
Psychological assessment measures relating to career suitability has great value, as job satisfaction is a
specific indicator of well-being (Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018). According to the World Health Foundation
mental health is ‘a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her potential, can cope
with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution
to her or his community’ (Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018, p.201). The following essay outlines the assessment
process that should be followed to ensure that Jon’s abilities, interests, personality and values match his
chosen career path.
2. Context and aim of the assessment
2.1 The context of career counselling for Jon
Choosing a satisfying occupation is a key life decision for young adults like Jon (Erikson, 1956). Jon
has certain aspirations and goals in terms of building a career. His interests are in administration and
interpersonal relations, and he has subsequently enrolled for a diploma in administration. One’s chosen
career path is extremely important as it impacts on your finances, relationships, mental health and
emotional state. Overall it affects your well-being and life satisfaction (Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018). Jon
wants to ensure that he is making the correct decision and therefore opted for career counselling.
Career counselling is a comprehensive process whereby a professional guides the client in identifying
their current and potential skill strengths, and helps them to match it to the most suitable, fulfilling
career (Ryan-Krane & Tirre, 2005). The process can include both standardized psychological tests
relating to aspects of intelligence, aptitude, interests, personality traits and values; as well as qualitative
methods (Maree & Morgan, 2012). The career counsellor will have to take Jon’s context into
consideration. He is 18-years old, from a rural, collectivist cultural background and probably from a
PYC4807: 847603 1
Student no: 48555703
