1. YOUR ABILITIES A talent; something a person is able to do well!

2. WHAT IS AN ABILITY?  An ability is something a person can do well. You know best what things you are good at. These are your abilities. People have different abilities. Some people do certain things better than others. Things you do well are your strengths. Things you have a hard time doing are your weaknesses. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses!

3.  People who have this ability understand artistic ideas. They may use their skills to draw, paint, sculpt, or take photographs. They may also use their artistic ability to decorate, design, or create products. ARTISTIC  Cartoonist  Interior designer  Fashion designer  Sketch artist  Professional photographer  Art director

4.  People who have clerical ability pay attention to details. They do accurate work. They often use their eyes, hands, and fingers at the same time. They might enter figures in books and forms, or operate calculators, computers, and other office machines. CLERICAL  Bookkeeping clerk  Cashier  Secretary  Teller  Police dispatcher  Data entry worker

5.  People with this ability can communicate well. They are understanding, friendly, adaptable, and polite in many different situations. Most employers would agree that this is an important ability in any career! INTERPERSONAL  Elementary school teacher  Flight attendant  Home health aide  Police officer  Retail salesperson  Bank manager  Customer service rep.

6.  People who have this ability can use spelling, grammar, and punctuation correctly. They are skilled at writing letters, manuals, reports, proposals, or stories. They can speak clearly. They can also understand and respond to feedback. They know what questions to ask and when to ask them. LANGUAGE  Receptionist  Reporter  Translator  Editor  Special education teacher  Social worker

7.  People who have leadership ability are able to get others to work together. They also have the ability to share thoughts, feelings, and ideas in order to explain a position. Leaders must be able to react quickly in emergencies. LEADERSHIP  Lawyer  Surgeon  Administrator  Food service manager  Executive secretary

8.  People with manual ability are skilled in the use of their hands, fingers, and eyes. They use these skills to operate equipment, adjust controls, use hand tools, or to build products. They can follow directions well. Careers in which manual ability is important may involve outdoor work. The jobs often require physical strength. MANUAL  Carpenter  Firefighter  Landscaper  Machine operator  Forest/ conservation worker  Bus driver

9.  People who have mathematical ability are very good at solving problems in business, technology, or science. They are also able to express mathematical ideas aloud and in writing. Today’s employers value mathematical ability in many careers! MATHEMATICAL  Accountant  Cashier  Optometrist  Pharmacist  Bank teller  Computer programmer

10.  People who have musical ability have a keen ear for musical sounds. They might play instruments, or sing. People with dramatic ability are skilled at acting. They interpret roles and express ideas and emotions through gestures and facial expressions. MUSIC/ DRAMATIC  Drama teacher  Musician  Choral director  Radio/ TV/ Movie producer  Singer  Music arranger/ composer

11.  Individuals with organizational ability know how to plan. They make sure the most important task is done first and on time. They can organize, process, and maintain records in an orderly way. Most employers expect employees to be well organized. ORGANIZATIONAL  Air traffic controller  Nurse  Tax preparer  Police dispatcher  Computer systems analyst  Travel agent

12.  Persuasive people can influence others by sharing their own views and opinions. They can convince people to do things. They can get people to agree with certain ideas. Persuasive people are able to talk to others using clear language. PERSUASIVE  Lawyer  Psychiatrist  Retail salesperson  Secondary school teacher  Construction manager  Ad executive

13.  Individuals who have this ability are good at research, logic, or scientific thinking. They use their skills to solve problems. They might apply their skills in the medical sciences, life sciences, or natural sciences. They may diagnose or treat human and animal injuries and illnesses. SCIENTIFIC  Dental assistant  Veterinarian  Physical therapist  Athletic trainer  Agricultural inspector  Licensed nurse practitioner

14.  People with social ability use logical thinking and special skills to counsel others. They people may help others identify and solve personal problems. People with social ability work well with others. SOCIAL  Nurse  Recreational worker  Social worker  Home health aide  Vocational or school counselor

15.  People with visual or spatial ability can visualize what objects would look like from a different angle or point of view. They can see differences in size and shape. They understand how things fit together or come apart. VISUAL (SPATIAL)  Carpenter  Dentist  Mechanic  Landscaping and grounds- keeping worker  Fashion designer

16.  Individuals with this ability understand technical and mechanical language. They understand how to set up and operate machines. They can also determine how to use or fix various machines. TECHNICAL/ MECHANICAL  Electrician  Heating and air-conditioning mechanic  Computer service technician  Automotive master mechanic  Airplane pilot

17. HOW CAN YOU DEVELOP YOUR ABILITIES?

18. RESOURCES AGS Career Planning 2006