How to focus your child's energies

Leahcim Semaj, Ph.D. - Change Agent, Contributor

OUR SCHOOL system is showing some positive trends. It has been three years since the introduction of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) which tests students in Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Communication Tasks. In all subjects we are seeing upward trends. The biggest increases were recorded with the 2000 figures over the results from 1999 and, with the exception of language Arts, the upward trend is continuing.

The next hurdle for our students will be the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exams. However, before they get to this test they will have to begin some degree of specialisation with regards to the subjects they choose. This, hopefully, will be based on career options that are of interest to the student. It is unfortunate that more of our students do not receive the kind of advice that will help them make better choices.

We recommend that parents have their child's Personality Profile done -- ideally between third and fourth form. The child who is already focused will be able to proceed with a greater degree of confidence. This is not to say that it cannot be done later. The reality is, the earlier you begin to focus your energies, the more likely your chances of success.

STIMULATING YOUR CHILD'S INTEREST

For the child who has no defined interest, a Personality Profile will point to some of their options as indicated by their natural predisposition brought out by the test. In turn, this will help to stimulate the child's interest.

I have been guided by my Profile for almost 30 years and it has not failed me yet.

I am an INTJ - Introvert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging. This type represent approximately two per cent of the Jamaican population. The following is a summary of my profile.

Potential Strengths of INTJs

INTJs have creative minds and independent spirits. Logical and ingenious, they are confident in their ideas and their ability to meet or exceed their goals. They tend to aim high with everything they attempt and are driven to be competent and original in all they do. They have a keen sense of what is possible and have a global perspective. INTJs are good strategic thinkers, looking beyond what is known and seeing the inter-relatedness of elements.

Critical and demanding of themselves, with incredibly high standards, INTJs are not deterred or intimidated by opposition. They have great powers of concentration, and are so determined to see their vision become a reality, they will work with tireless energy to turn out a flawless idea or product.

As an INTJ, you are good at...

Brainstorming and strategising new ways of doing things

Working alone for extended periods of time with great depth of focus

Analysing technical problems and using logic to understand them

Understanding complex issues and difficult problems

Taking on intellectual challenges

Using creativity to develop ingenious and original systems

What an INTJ needs in a career for it to be satisfying

1. The opportunity to work independently, thinking things though at great depth and preparing fully before presenting your work.

2. Creative and intellectual challenges that keep you stimulated and involved with your work.

3. Evaluation and compensation that is based upon your perseverance and accomplishments, where you are respected by others in your field.

4. The freedom to take a task and run with it, maintain control over its outcome and use your judgement and creativity to complete it according to your own high standards of success.

5. Projects that let you constantly increase your knowledge and competence and develop original solutions to new problems.

Some careers to consider

Scientist/scientific researcher

Manager

Astronomer

Computer systems analyst

Judge

News analyst

computer programmer

News writer

Design Engineer

Technician: electrical/electronic

Psychologist

Administrator

Environmental planner

Psychiatrist

Architect

Teacher: university

Neurologist

Engineer

Investment/business analyst

Cardiologist

Writer/editor

Biomedical engineer

Pharmacologist

Artist

Attorney: litigator/commercial

Inventor

Designer

Management consultant

Strategic planner

We Welcome New Travellers

If you are joining this weekly quest for the first time, you can easily catch up on the past instalments by logging on to www.jobbank-ja.com.

On the Download Page, you will find all the back articles. You may also leave your comments or questions on the message board at the same site or E-mail me at lsemaj@jobbank-ja.com. If you do not know your type, you can assess your Personality Profile by clicking on the Personality Profile/Flair/ Nationwide banner at www.jobbank-ja.com and follow the instructions.

You are also invited to join us on Mondays on Nationwide (HOT102FM) 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. to continue this discussion. Each week we will take you deeper into understanding your personality profile and how to use this knowledge to take charge of your personal and professional life.

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