Career Insights in BigFuture
Career exploration is an ongoing process involving many options and things to consider. BigFuture® Career Insights provides a snapshot of how your Math and Reading and Writing skills (based on your latest PSAT-related test or SAT® score) aligns with typical skills required for various careers. With this information, you can understand where your academic skills are today and what you can do to prepare for the careers you’re interested in.
Remember that Career Insights is one tool to explore different career options, but it’s not the only one. This doesn’t determine whether you should or shouldn’t select this career path or whether you’ll be ready for this career in the future. You’ll want to explore your interests, your values, and other skills as you consider career options. Keep in mind that career exploration can evolve as your interests change and opportunities arise.
How do I find this information?
To get started, all you need is your PSAT-related test or SAT score.
1. Go to BigFuture Career Search. Search for careers you’re interested in.
2. If you see a career you’re interested in, click on the Career Profile to view more career details.
3. Navigate to the Career Insights tab to see how this career aligns with your assessment score and:
- Enter your latest digital PSAT/NMSQT® or PSAT™ 8/9 score manually, or
- Log in to your College Board account. (Create an account if you don’t have one).
4. Learn more about career info tied to your score.
FAQ
Why don’t I see Career Insights info even though I’ve logged in to my personal College Board account?
If you don’t automatically see your Career Insight details, it’s because you haven’t yet viewed your latest PSAT-related test or SAT score report online. Make sure that you’ve viewed your score report in the Student Score Reports Portal.
What does the Career Insights information show? And what should I do with it?
Career Insights takes your Math and Reading and Writing scores from your latest PSAT-related test or SAT and identifies how your skills are projected to align with the career you’re viewing.
You may see one of the following descriptions for Math and Reading and Writing
In Line and Strong Option: At this time, your Math and/or Reading and Writing skills align closely with this career path. In addition, your score indicates a degree of compatibility that suggests this career path may be worth further consideration and exploration on your part. Review this career path and others that are similar.
In Line and Continue Exploring: At this time, your Math and/or Reading and Writing are in line with this career path. Review this career path and others that are similar.
Continue Preparing: If you are interested in this career path, improving your Math and/or Reading and Writing skills through further studies and preparation may be helpful. Remember that this is a snapshot of your skills, and it is only one element of career exploration. This does not determine whether you should or should not select this career path nor whether you’ll be ready for this career in the future.
Remember: This snapshot of your Math and Reading and Writing skills reflected by your PSAT-related test or SAT score is one element to consider when exploring careers, but it’s not the only one. You’ll also want to explore your interests, values, and skills and emerging talents as a part of your career exploration. Here are some ways to continue exploring and planning toward your career goals:
- Save careers that you’re interested in on your Career List. You can always revisit and update your list.
- Understand your interests areas with the Career Quiz. Find 30 careers that match your likes and dislikes in less than 10 minutes.
- Other tools and info, including:
If you have questions about this career information or about planning for your life after high school, find time to talk with your school counselor or a teacher. They can help support you through the exploration process.
What should I do if my skills indicate I’m not ready for a career I’m interested in?
If you're interested in a certain career path, further studies and preparation may be helpful. Here are ways to consider doing so:
- Select high school courses that strengthen the knowledge and skills you need.
- Strengthen your reading and writing and math skills with Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy®.
We encourage you to talk to your school counselor and teachers who can support you through the career exploration and readiness process.
And don’t forget that this information is just one element of career exploration. This doesn’t determine whether you should or shouldn’t select this career path or whether you’ll be ready for this career in the future. Keep in mind that career exploration is an ongoing process. Your interests, skills, and opportunities may change over time.
How does BigFuture connect a student’s PSAT-related test or SAT score to careers?
College Board has created a way to make the PSAT-related tests and the SAT even more useful to students through the development of a data-driven algorithm that allows for personalized career exploration matched to a student’s academic skills and interests. We worked with researchers at HumRRO to connect SAT Suite of Assessments scores with occupational skill readiness. This is done by matching the math and reading and writing skills measured by the SAT Suite to corresponding knowledges, skills, and abilities for occupations in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Information Network (O*NET) database—the nation’s primary source of up-to-date job information. Learn more here.