SELF-DIRECTED SEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE

The purpose of this questionnaire is to determine your interests, as they will be of importance when you make a subject and career decision.

THE QUESTIONNAIRE

This is a questionnaire and not a test. There are therefore no correct or incorrect answers. This questionnaire contains a number of questions relating to your activities, competencies, interests in occupations as well as questions in which you are asked to rate your abilities/skills.

HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONNAIRE

The instructions for answering the questions are given at the top of each section. Read the instructions carefully and then answer the questions that follow. Answer all questions by ticking a box or leaving the box unticked.
Make sure that you ANSWER EACH QUESTION.
Try to complete the questionnaire in approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

Introduction: User Details

Full Name: Age: Email:

Section 1: Activities

Tick the box for the activities you LIKE TO DO or think you WOULD LIKE TO DO.
Leave the box UNTICKED for the activities you are INDIFFERENT TO, HAVE NEVER DONE, Or DO NOT LIKE TO DO.

R

Fix electrical apparatus Repair motor cars Fix mechanical apparatus Build objects with wood Drive a truck or tractor Use metalwork or machine tools Work on a bicycle or motorcycle Take a technical course Take a course in mechanical drawing Take a woodworking course Take a motor mechanics course

I

Read scientific books or magazines Work in a laboratory Work on a research project Study a scientific theory Work with a chemistry set Read about a special subject on my own Apply mathematics to practical problems Take a physics course Take a chemistry course Take a mathematics course Take a biology course

A

Sketch, draw, or paint Take part in a comedy or play Design furniture, clothing, posters, or buildings Play in a band, musical group or orchestra Practise to play a musical instrument Go to recitals, concerts or musicals Create portraits or take photographs Read plays Read or write poetry Take an art course Arrange or compose music of any kind

S

Write letters / messages to friends Read articles or books on sociology Belong to social clubs Help others with their personal problems Take care of children Go to parties/social meetings Dance Read books on psychology Help people in need Go to sports events Teach in a school

E

Convince other people Sell something Discuss politics Manage your own service or business Go to meetings Give talks Act as a leader of a group Supervise the work of others Meet important people Lead a group in accomplishing some goal Participate in a political campaign

C

Keep your own desk and room neat Write up papers or letters Using maths for business Using technology for business related matters Keep detailed records of expenses Take an information processing course Take a business course Take a bookkeeping course Take a commercial maths course File letters, reports, records, etc. Write business letters and emails

Section 2: Competencies

Tick the box for those activities that you HAVE KNOWLEDGE of or that you CAN DO WELL or COMPETENTLY.
Leave the box UNTICKED for those activities that you HAVE LITTLE or NO KNOWLEDGE of or that you HAVE NEVER PERFORMED or PERFORM POORLY.

R

I have used a woodworking tool such as a saw, a lathe or a sander I know how to use a voltmeter I can change car oil or tyres I have operated tools such as a drill press or a grinder or a sewing machine I can refinish, varnish or stain furniture or woodwork I can read blueprints (building plans) I can make simple electrical repairs I can repair furniture I can do mechanical drawings I can do simple repairs to some electronic devices I can do simple plumbing repairs

I

I can use algebra to solve mathematical problems I have participated in a scientific contest I understand the "half-life" of a radioactive element I understand logarithmic tables I can operate a scientific calculator I can use a microscope I can use software to study a scientific problem I can describe the function of white blood cells I can interpret simple chemical formulas I understand why man-made satellites do not fall to the earth I can name three foods that are high in vitamins

A

I can play a musical instrument I can participate in two or four-part group singing I can perform as a musical soloist I can act in a play I can do interpretive reading I can do interpretive or ballet dancing I can sketch people in such a way that they are recognizable I can create a painting or a piece of sculpture I can do pottery I can design clothing, posters or furniture I can write stories or poetry well

S

I find it easy to talk to all kinds of people I am good at explaining things to others I am competent at entertaining people older than myself I can be a good host/hostess I can teach others easily I can plan entertainment for a party I have worked or volunteered as a helper at a hospital or home I am good at helping people who are upset or troubled I can plan social events for the school or the church I am a good judge of personality People seek me out to tell me their troubles

E

I have won an award for work as a salesperson or leader I know how to be a successful leader I am a good debater I could manage a small business or service I have organized a club or group I have been elected as a board member while in high school I have acted as a spokesman for a group in presenting suggestions or complaints to a person in authority I can supervise the work of others I am ambitious I am good at getting people to do things my way I am a good salesperson

C

I can type 40 words a minute I can use functions in an Excel sheet I can take meeting minutes I can manage filing systems I have held an office job I can use a bookkeeping/accounting program like Excel I can do a lot of paper work in a short time I can use digital calendars for syncing events I can use simple data processing software like Word and Excel I can manage making and receiving payments I can keep accurate records of payments or sales

Section 3: Occupations

This section concerns your feelings and attitudes regarding many kinds of work.
Show the occupations/jobs that INTEREST or APPEAL TO you by ticking the box.
Show the occupations/jobs that you DISLIKE or FIND UNINTERESTING by leaving the box UNTICKED.

R

Aeroplane mechanic - maintains aeroplanes Fish and wildlife specialist - studies natural animal resources Motor mechanic - maintains and repairs motor vehicles Carpenter/Joiner - does woodwork Plumber - installs and repairs pipes and fixtures that carry water, gas, or other fluids Filling station worker - pumps fuel, changes/deposits oil in vehicles at filling stations Farmer - works on a farm where crops are grown or livestock is bred and raised Surveyor - measures distances for buildings and roads Construction inspector - inspects new buildings to see that they meet certain requirements Broadcast operator - works with radio and television broadcasts Long distance bus driver - transports people over long distances Engine driver - runs trains Tool designer - designs tools to do new jobs Electrician - maintains and repairs electric wires and machinery

I

Meteorologist - studies the weather Biologist - studies plants and animals Astronomer - studies the stars Medical laboratory technician - works in a medical laboratory and provides information to the medical doctor Anthropologist - studies the beliefs, past and present behaviour and the physical characteristics of people Zoologist - studies animals Chemist - studies composition and characteristics of materials and the processes they undergo Research scientist - conducts scientific experiments Writer of scientific articles - writes articles on science for magazines, books or encyclopedias Editor of scientific journal - heads a magazine that publishes articles on science Geologist - studies the earth, rocks, mountains, volcanoes Botanist - studies plants Physicist - studies the physical laws of nature (gravity, magnetism, motion) Scientific research worker - does experiments, helps scientists

A

Poet - writes poetry Symphony Conductor - conducts musicians who play in an orchestra Musician - plays musical instruments or sings Writer - writes books, plays, poetry and newspaper articles Actor/actress - acts in a play, movie or series Freelance writer - writes stories for websites, magazines, newspapers on a part-time basis Musical arranger - writes music for words someone has written Journalist - writes for a newspaper/magazine Graphic designer - uses creativity and technical skills to create visual concepts that communicate messages Concert singer - sings on the stage Composer or lyricist - writes music or words to music Sculptor/sculptress - carves/moulds statues from marble, metal, clay or wood Playwright - writes plays Illustrator - creates visual images to communicate ideas and concepts

S

Sociologist - examines the ways in which individuals in groups and groups themselves interact High school teacher - teaches one or two subjects to pupils in grade 8 to 12 Physical education teacher - instructs students in physical fitness, sports, and other physical activities Speech therapist - helps people correct and solve their speech problems Couples counsellor - helps couples who are experiencing relational difficulties School principal - head of a school Psychiatric nurse - someone who cares for psychiatric patients in a hospital Psychologist - work with people to improve their mental and emotional health Social science teacher - teaches for example, history and geography Director of welfare agency - head of an organization that gives social support to families or individuals in distress Youth organizer - organizes activities and takes responsibility for young people Counsellor - helps individuals to deal with the problems that occur in everyday life Social worker - helps people to cope satisfactorily in their family and community life Subject tutor - helps students learn and improve their academic performance

E

Stock trader - someone who takes risks with buying and selling to make money Buyer - purchases merchandise from manufacturers and wholesalers Advertising executive - does advertising for a business Manufacturer's representative - a salesperson who sells a company's products Television producer - produces TV shows Hotel manager - manages a hotel Business executive - owner or manager of a business Restaurant manager - runs a restaurant, hires the waiters and waitresses, cashiers and cooks Advocate - conducts civil and criminal cases in various courts of law Salesperson - person who sells goods and services Real estate salesperson - sells houses and property Personnel manager - gives advice and sees to it that personnel policies are carried out Sports promoter - arranges and publicizes sports events Sales manager - ensures that goods and services are sold

C

Bookkeeper - keeps track of how money is earned and spent in a business Business teacher - teaches business subjects at school Data entry - accurately transferring information from various sources, like paper documents or digital files, into computer databases or spreadsheets Chartered accountant - inspects the correctness and completeness of the financial statements and books of organizations Credit controller - checks if clients have credit value Court stenographer - records everything on tape said during courtroom trials Bank teller - receives and pays out money at a bank Tax expert - advises people on tax matters Inventory controller - takes stock of goods in a store or business at a certain time Typist - types letters, reports, etc. on a typewriter Cost estimator - determines how much it will cost to do certain jobs Financial analyst - works out if a person or business is spending money wisely Bank inspector - checks on bank personnel to see if they carry out their work Payroll Clerk - calculates how much money people should be paid

Section 4: RATING OF YOUR ABILITIES/SKILLS

The 12 questions in Section IV (RATING OF YOUR ABILITIES) should be rated between 1 and 6.
This section consists of two groups of six abilities/skills each.
b) Rate yourself on each of the following traits (abilities/skills) as you really think you are when compared with other persons your own age.
AVOID GIVING YOURSELF THE SAME RATING IN EACH ABILITY/SKILL.
Give the most accurate estimate of how you see yourself.
Type the number you would rate yourself: 1 & 2 being LOW, 3 & 4 being AVERAGE, and 5 & 6 being HIGH.

Group 1

R: Mechanical ability (fixing things, using tools and machines)

I: Scientific ability (biology, chemistry and problem solving)

A: Artistic ability (music, art and drama)

S: Teaching ability (helping others learn)

E: Sales ability (selling or managing)

C: Clerical ability (numbers, spelling and filing papers)

Group 2

R: Manual Skills

I: Mathematical Ability

A: Musical Ability

S: Friendliness

E: Managerial Skills

C: Office Skills

THE "SELF-DIRECTED SEARCH" QUESTIONNAIRE

GENERAL INFORMATION

PURPOSE