Career interest tests can be very helpful for teenagers and young adults deciding which careers to pursue. New research from Michigan State University challenges the assumption that vocational interests are only relevant for early career decision-making; rather, they remain relevant into adulthood.
The study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, is the first to examine whether interests predict work, relationship and community outcomes in midlife and later adulthood.
The study followed over 8,000 adults over 11 years and found that vocational interests predict significant life outcomes well into adulthood. Participants first completed a vocational interest assessment in 2011–2012 to measure six dimensions including Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. Over a decade later, major life outcomes across work, relationships and community life were then examined.