This is the same questionnaire as the online assessment, so a coach can work from either. Print it, or choose “Save as PDF”.
Career Pathways Initiative
Self-Discovery Assessment
Assessment v2.0 · Name or participant ID: __________________ · Date: ____________
There are no right or wrong answers. This is not a test. It helps you notice what you enjoy, what you're good at and what matters to you. Answer honestly, skip anything optional, and remember: your answers don't decide your future.
A. Starting point
A little about where you are, so we can make your profile relevant to you.
A1. Where are you right now?
☐ Secondary school☐ Undergraduate☐ Fresh graduate / NYSC☐ Working (1–3 years)☐ Other
A2. Your class, level or year (For example SS2, 200 level, NYSC, or 2 years working)
A3. What brought you here? (Choose any)
☐ Choosing subjects☐ Choosing a course☐ Finding a direction☐ Checking my course fits me☐ Getting my first job☐ Planning my next move☐ Just curious
A4. What would a useful outcome look like for you?
B. Interests ★
How much would you enjoy each of these? Think about the activity itself, not whether you have done it or are good at it.
| How much would you enjoy…? | 1 Not at all | 2 A little | 3 Somewhat | 4 Quite a lot | 5 Very much | Not sure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1. Repairing or setting up a phone, generator, bicycle or appliance | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B5. Working out why an experiment or machine gave an unexpected result | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B9. Designing a poster, logo, outfit or room | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B13. Explaining a topic to someone who is struggling with it | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B17. Starting a small business or selling something | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B21. Keeping accurate records of money, stock or attendance | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B6. Solving difficult maths or logic puzzles | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B10. Writing stories, poems, articles or scripts | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B14. Looking after someone who is sick, young or elderly | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B18. Leading a team, club or group project | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B22. Planning a schedule or timetable so everything runs on time | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B2. Building or assembling something with tools (furniture, a model, a circuit) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B11. Making music, acting, dancing or performing | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B15. Listening to a friend's problem and helping them think it through | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B19. Persuading people to support an idea, in a debate or a campaign | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B23. Checking work carefully for errors and fixing them | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B3. Working outdoors with plants, animals or the land | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B7. Researching a question deeply using books, data or the internet | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B16. Volunteering to support people in your community | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B20. Organising an event and getting people to come | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B24. Sorting and organising information in a spreadsheet or filing system | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B4. Preparing, cooking or producing something by hand to a high standard | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B8. Learning how the human body, nature or technology works | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| B12. Creating videos, photos or social media content | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
C. Strengths ★
How good do you think you are at each of these right now? If you've never tried something, choose "Haven't tried".
| How good are you at…? | 1 Not good yet | 2 A bit | 3 OK | 4 Good | 5 Very good | Haven't tried |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1. Using tools or my hands to fix or make things | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| C3. Using maths and numbers to solve problems | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| C5. Coming up with original ideas or designs | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| C7. Explaining things so others understand | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| C9. Convincing or motivating people | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| C11. Keeping things organised and on schedule | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| C2. Understanding how machines or physical things fit together | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| C4. Analysing information and spotting patterns or causes | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| C6. Expressing ideas through writing, art, music or media | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| C8. Understanding how other people feel and supporting them | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| C10. Taking charge and making decisions in a group | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| C12. Paying close attention to detail and accuracy | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
D. Skills
Where are you with each skill today? Wanting to learn a skill is never counted as already having it.
| How well can you do each of these now? | Not yet | Tried it a little | Can do with help | Can do on my own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking and presenting | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Writing | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Maths and numbers | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Digital basics (phone, email, documents) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Spreadsheets and data | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Coding or tech | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Design or creative software | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Practical and technical (tools, repairs) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Organising and planning | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Leadership and teamwork | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Customer service and selling | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Problem-solving | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Caring for and supporting others | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
D2. Which would you most like to improve in the next 6–12 months? (Choose up to 3)
☐ Speaking and presenting☐ Writing☐ Maths and numbers☐ Digital basics (phone, email, documents)☐ Spreadsheets and data☐ Coding or tech☐ Design or creative software☐ Practical and technical (tools, repairs)☐ Organising and planning☐ Leadership and teamwork☐ Customer service and selling☐ Problem-solving☐ Caring for and supporting others
D3. What could show you have a skill? (A project, result, feedback, certificate or responsibility)
E. Values ★
What matters most to you in future work? There is no right mix.
E1. Choose up to 5 things that matter most to you in future work.
☐ Learning and growth☐ Helping others☐ Stability and security☐ Creativity☐ Independence☐ Good income☐ Teamwork☐ Flexibility☐ Leadership and influence☐ Making a difference in society☐ Respect and recognition☐ Variety and new experiences
E2. Now put your top 3 in order.
1. ____________________ 2. ____________________ 3. ____________________
E3. What would make a work or learning environment difficult for you?
F. Ambitions and influences
Your hopes, and the people around you who shape them.
F1. What would you like work or life to make possible for you in the next 3–5 years?
F2. How much do expectations from family, school, friends or community shape your career thinking?
☐ Not at all☐ A little☐ Quite a lot☐ A great deal☐ Prefer not to say
F3. Do those expectations match what you want for yourself?
☐ Yes☐ Partly☐ No☐ Not sure☐ Prefer not to say
G. Work preferences
How you like to work. Choose the point on each line that feels most like you.
G1. I most like working with… (Choose up to 2)
☐ People☐ Information and data☐ Ideas☐ Technology☐ Tools and materials☐ Nature and the outdoors
G2. Clear structure or flexibility?
Clear structure☐ 1☐ 2☐ 3☐ 4☐ 5Flexibility
G3. Working alone or working in a team?
Working alone☐ 1☐ 2☐ 3☐ 4☐ 5Working in a team
G4. Hands-on or thinking and analysing?
Hands-on☐ 1☐ 2☐ 3☐ 4☐ 5Thinking and analysing
G5. Indoors at a desk or out and about?
Indoors at a desk☐ 1☐ 2☐ 3☐ 4☐ 5Out and about
G6. Steady routine or variety every day?
Steady routine☐ 1☐ 2☐ 3☐ 4☐ 5Variety every day
G7. Before making a bigger decision, I'd like to… (Choose any)
☐ Talk to someone in the job☐ Visit a workplace☐ Try a short course☐ Do a small project☐ Shadow someone☐ Not sure
H. Experience and evidence
Things you have already done. Limited experience is never read as low ability: it often just means limited opportunity.
H1. Which of these have you done, at school, work, home, volunteering or as a hobby? (Choose any)
☐ Repaired, built or grew something☐ A science project, competition or experiment☐ A coding or tech project☐ Made art, music, writing or content others saw☐ Tutored, cared for or supported someone☐ Volunteered in my community☐ Sold something or ran a small business☐ Led a club, team or event☐ Kept records or accounts, or managed stock☐ Worked a job, internship, apprenticeship or NYSC placement
H2. People have told me I'm good at… (Choose any)
☐ Fixing or making things☐ Figuring things out☐ Creative work☐ Helping or teaching people☐ Leading or persuading☐ Being organised and accurate
H3. Describe one time you solved a problem, helped someone, created something or achieved a result. (What was the situation, what did you do, and what happened?)
H4. Which area does that example fit best?
☐ Fixing or making things☐ Figuring things out☐ Creative work☐ Helping or teaching people☐ Leading or persuading☐ Being organised and accurate☐ Not sure
I. Career awareness
How much you know about careers right now. Most people are still learning.
I1. I know several careers that match my interests.
Strongly disagree☐ 1☐ 2☐ 3☐ 4☐ 5Strongly agree
I2. I know the subjects, courses or qualifications needed for careers I'm considering.
Strongly disagree☐ 1☐ 2☐ 3☐ 4☐ 5Strongly agree
I3. I know where to find reliable career information.
Strongly disagree☐ 1☐ 2☐ 3☐ 4☐ 5Strongly agree
I4. I have spoken with someone who works in a field that interests me.
☐ Yes☐ No
J. Practical circumstances
Optional. This only changes the format of suggestions (for example offline worksheets). It never affects your profile or directions.
J1. How often can you use the internet?
☐ Daily☐ A few times a week☐ Rarely
J2. Roughly how much time a week could you give to exploring careers?
☐ Under 1 hour☐ 1–3 hours☐ More than 3 hours
J3. What support would help you explore? (Choose any)
☐ Device or internet☐ Transport☐ Funding☐ A mentor☐ Time☐ Other
J4. Is there anything that would make CPI activities easier for you to take part in?
K. My own ideas
"Not sure yet" is fine. Your own ideas always appear in your profile, whatever your other answers say.
K1–K3. List up to 4 careers, fields or pathways you're curious about. For each: how much do you know about it (1 very little – 5 a lot), and what attracts you to it?
1. ________________________ Know: 1 2 3 4 5 · Attracts me: ________________________
2. ________________________ Know: 1 2 3 4 5 · Attracts me: ________________________
3. ________________________ Know: 1 2 3 4 5 · Attracts me: ________________________
4. ________________________ Know: 1 2 3 4 5 · Attracts me: ________________________
L. Reflection
Last step. Where are you in your thinking today?
L0. Where are you in your career thinking right now?
☐ Getting to know myself☐ Exploring options☐ Comparing a few options☐ Checking one option in more depth☐ Ready to plan my next steps☐ Reviewing a plan I already have
L1. How clear do you feel about your career direction right now?
Not clear at all☐ 1☐ 2☐ 3☐ 4☐ 5Very clear
L2. What is one small action you could take to learn more about yourself or an option? (This becomes the first action in your roadmap)
Theme key for facilitators. B and C items: MAKE, INVESTIGATE, CREATE, HELP, LEAD, ORGANISE as tagged in Appendix E. H1 tags: Repaired, built or grew something (MAKE); A science project, competition or experiment (INVESTIGATE); A coding or tech project (INVESTIGATE); Made art, music, writing or content others saw (CREATE); Tutored, cared for or supported someone (HELP); Volunteered in my community (HELP); Sold something or ran a small business (LEAD); Led a club, team or event (LEAD); Kept records or accounts, or managed stock (ORGANISE); Worked a job, internship, apprenticeship or NYSC placement (general). H2 tags: Fixing or making things (MAKE); Figuring things out (INVESTIGATE); Creative work (CREATE); Helping or teaching people (HELP); Leading or persuading (LEAD); Being organised and accurate (ORGANISE).