By Tammy Morgan-Hillard/reporter
Understanding more about personality traits could enhance relationships and improve working conditions, a NW Campus counselor told students last week.
In Communication and Unique Gifts People Bring to the Workplace Feb. 19 on NW Campus, Dr. Shelly Cavin explained how one can identify unique personality traits and what they mean in terms of a career. All attendees took a condensed version of a personality test to establish what traits they have and where their energy is directed.
Professional and work relationships can strain from the lack of understanding that makes each person uniquely different, Cavin said.
For example, if someone were an extrovert, working alone in an office would not be stimulating. Therefore, Cavin said, the dread of doing that job would settle in. For an introvert, that same setting would be more conducive, and the introvert would be more passionate about working unaccompanied.
“Matching up your personality to the ideal job would make you more energized and look forward to going to work,” she said.
Cavin said the results of the test are not only helpful in determining the best career choice but also in helping in personal relationships and the stresses that can come with them.
“Regarding personal relationships, if someone is a ‘sensor,’ they will probably like practical solutions to problems, think about the present and will want step-by-step instructions,” she said. “If someone is an ‘intuitive,’ they will most likely be more creative, think about the future and will figure things out on their own.”
Having this insight and understanding, an individual’s traits can help with patience and tolerance, Cavin said.
She suggested several books that go into more depth about job choices and relationship issues. Cavin said Do What You Are is an excellent source to match careers with personality types. Many college students are undecided about their majors or what their career goals are, so this resource could help, she said.
For testing or more information, Cavin said students can go to a counseling office on any TCC campus.
