Interest inventories

Discovering Student Interest

Interest inventories are fun tools that help young people explore what they enjoy, what they’re naturally good at, and how these strengths can connect to careers, education, and life after high school.

Encourage self-discovery and personal choice

Show connections between interests, careers, and learning

Great for planning education, training, and future work experiences

Not a test—there are no right or wrong answers

How Interest Inventories Support Transition Planning

Using personal interests to guide education, career exploration, and post-school planning

Interest inventories help youth discover what excites them and use that knowledge to shape their future. By highlighting personal strengths, preferences, and interests, these tools can guide decisions about courses, work-based learning experiences, and training opportunities. They also provide a foundation for meaningful conversations in IEP meetings, support exploration of career pathways, and ensure that planning stays centered on each young person’s unique goals and aspirations.

Available Interest Inventory Tools

Discover, Explore, Plan

These tools give youth hands-on ways to explore their interests, strengths, and goals. They can be used on their own or as part of transition planning activities, helping students connect what they enjoy with education, careers, and life after high school.

O*Net Interest Profiler

Discover your work-related interests and explore career options that are a good fit based on interests.

The O*NET Interest Profiler is a simple, free online tool that helps youth discover what kinds of work they enjoy. By answering a short set of questions about activities and tasks, users get a profile showing their main interests and the types of careers that match them. It's a great way to explore possible jobs, think about future training or school programs, and make choices that fit your strengths and passions.

Visit O*Net Interest Profiler

Best For: Youth beginning career and transition exploration

Career OneStop Interest Assessment

Match Interests to Careers

The CareerOneStop Interest Assessment is a free online self-assessment that asks users to rate how interested they are in different activities and then suggests careers that match those interests to help with exploring future pathways. Best for youth looking to find careers that match their interests.

Access Career OneStop Interest Assessment ↗

Best For: Youth looking to find careers that match their interests.

Photo Career Quiz

Planning tools for students, families, and educators

Test career interests through pictures. Best for youth who may find picture‑based choices easier or more engaging than long written surveys.

Explore Photo Career Quiz ↗

Best For: Youth who may find picture‑based choices easier or more engaging than long written surveys.

Using Interest Inventories Effectively

Turn Interests Into Action

Interest inventories are most useful when they spark conversation and reflection. Encourage youth to talk about their results with family, educators, or transition team members and think about how their interests may grow or change over time. Revisiting these inventories at different stages helps keep planning current and ensures that transition goals match each youth’s strengths, preferences, and aspirations.

By looking closely at the results, teams can identify potential next steps—like courses, training programs, careers, or work-based learning experiences—and use this information to set meaningful, achievable goals during transition planning meetings.

Next Steps

Use interests to explore careers, education, and transition opportunities

After completing an interest inventory, youth can use their results to explore related career paths, educational options, and training opportunities. Interests can also guide conversations with family members, educators, and transition team members during planning meetings.

These next steps help turn self-discovery into informed decisions and meaningful action as youth prepare for life after high school.

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Not Sure Where to Start?

Interest inventories are just one part of transition planning. Youth can explore these resources at their own pace and revisit them as interests and goals evolve over time.

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