Career Assessment Inventory (CAI)
The Career Assessment Inventory compares an individual’s workplace interests with those of others currently employed in one of the 111 careers included in its database. By doing so, it provides valuable insights into career paths that closely match an individual’s personal interests and preferences. This comparison not only helps in identifying suitable career options but also supports individuals in making more informed decisions about their professional futures. As a result, the instrument is particularly beneficial for both college-bound individuals and those not pursuing higher education, assisting them in finding a job that is well-suited to their preferences and strengths.
There are currently two versions of the Career Assessment Inventory (CAI): The Enhanced Version and the Vocational Version. Each version offers distinct features, allowing individuals to select the one that best suits their needs and career exploration goals. The Vocational version targets careers in which less than two years of post-secondary training are necessary.
The Enhanced Version includes a comprehensive 370-item report, utilizing a 5-point scale for responses. This detailed assessment provides a deeper understanding of an individual’s interests and preferences, allowing for a more thorough analysis of career possibilities. Consequently, testing typically takes around 35 to 40 minutes to complete. Furthermore, it can be administered either online or in a pencil-to-paper format, providing flexibility in how the assessment is conducted. Author
Where to Purchase
Orange County Testing Services
Administration, Analysis and Reporting
Intellectus Consulting offers valuable support to both students and professional researchers by assisting with administering the survey instrument. In addition, they help in collecting the data, conducting the necessary analyses, and explaining the results. As a result, they provide a comprehensive service that ensures a thorough and accurate research process. For additional information on these services, click here.
Reliability and Validity
The Career Assessment Inventory (CAI) is a well-known and well-established instrument, widely regarded as a benchmark for individuals searching for careers. Its test-retest correlation underscores its reliability, with values ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 for the general theme scales, 0.88 to 0.95 for the basic interest scale, and 0.81 to 0.96 for the occupational scales (Zarrella & Schuerger, 1990). These high correlation coefficients demonstrate the consistency and accuracy of the CAI in assessing career interests over time. Additionally, an internal consistency coefficient between 0.89 and 0.92 further supports its high content validity. The CAI is closely aligned with other well-regarded tools, such as the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory, the Kuder Occupational Interest Survey, and the Jackson Vocational Interest Survey. However, it is worth noting that there is only one study currently available regarding the application of the CAI.
References
Elosua, P. (2007). Assessing vocational interests in the Basque Country using paired comparison design. University of the Basque Country.
Jagger, L., Neukrug, E., & McAuliffe, G. (1992). Congruence between personality traits and chosen occupation as a predictor of job satisfaction for people with disabilities. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 36, 53-60.
Naylor, F.D., Kidd, G.J. (1991). The Predictive Validity of the Investigative Scale of the Career Assessment Inventory. Educational and Psychological Measurement, Vol. 51, No.1, 217-226.
Zarrella, K.L., & Schuerger, J.M. (1990). Temporal stability of occupational interest inventories. Psychological Reports,66, 1067-1074.
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