College-Bound Students Love the CVI!

By
Steve Williamson, VP Digital Marketing and Content, eRep, Inc.
Posted
Monday, April 21, 2025
Tags
#CareerPlanning
#CoreValuesIndex
#Education
#ProfessionalDevelopment
#PsychometricAssessment
#CoreValuesFundamentals
College-Bound Students Love the CVI!

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Choosing the right college career is one of the most significant decisions high school students face. The choices they make will shape their futures, impacting their personal fulfillment, financial stability, and overall happiness. However, many students struggle with identifying a career path that aligns with their personality, interests, and core values. One tool that can provide valuable insight into this decision-making process is the Core Values Index™ (CVI) psychometric assessment.

The CVI is a powerful tool that helps individuals understand their innate characteristics and strengths, allowing high school students to make more informed decisions about their future careers.

Understanding the Core Values Index

The Core Values Index is a unique psychometric assessment that differs from traditional personality tests, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or the DISC assessment. Instead of measuring personality traits that can change over time, the CVI focuses on an individual's core values and innate strengths. It assesses your personality and determines the relative presence of four primary core value energies:

  1. Builder - Driven by power and action, builders are natural leaders who excel in hands-on roles and decision-making positions.
  2. Merchant - Guided by love and connection, merchants thrive in environments that require relationship-building, creativity, and persuasion.
  3. Innovator - Defined by wisdom and problem-solving, innovators are analytical thinkers who excel in research, strategy, and innovative roles.
  4. Banker - Motivated by knowledge and security, bankers prefer structured environments where they can gather and analyze data to ensure stability and efficiency.

Core Values Index
  profile chart, showing Innovator as primary core value energy with a
  score of 29By taking the CVI assessment, high school students can determine which core value energies are dominant within them. This self-awareness helps them select a college major and career path that aligns with their intrinsic motivations and strengths.

How the CVI Can Guide Career Selection

For high school students uncertain about their future careers, the CVI can provide clarity by matching their dominant core value energies to suitable professions. Below are some examples of how different CVI profiles align with various college career paths:

1. Builders: Careers in Leadership and Hands-On Professions

Students with a dominant Builder energy are natural leaders who thrive in fast-paced, action-oriented environments. Careers that suit them include:

  • Business Administration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Law Enforcement
  • Military and Defense
  • Engineering
  • Construction Management

→ Since Builders are goal-driven and competitive, they may excel in business school or technical programs that emphasize leadership and execution.

2. Merchants: Careers in Relationship-Oriented and Creative Fields

Merchants are driven by relationships and creativity, making them well-suited for careers that involve interpersonal connections and imaginative thinking. Suitable college majors include:

  • Marketing and Public Relations
  • Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Education
  • Hospitality Management
  • Fine Arts and Performing Arts

→ Merchants thrive in careers that allow them to inspire, connect with others, and express their creativity.

3. Innovators: Careers in Analytical and Problem-Solving Fields

Innovators excel in critical thinking and problem-solving. They enjoy researching complex problems and developing solutions. Careers that match their skill set include:

  • Computer Science and IT
  • Engineering (Software, Mechanical, Electrical)
  • Medicine and Healthcare
  • Architecture
  • Scientific Research
  • Strategic Consulting

→ Innovators often do well in STEM-related fields and careers that require deep analytical thinking and continuous learning.

4. Bankers: Careers in Data-Driven and Structured Fields

Bankers prioritize security, stability, and knowledge, making them well-suited for roles that involve managing data and ensuring efficiency. Suitable career paths include:

  • Accounting and Finance
  • Economics
  • Data Science
  • Risk Management
  • Actuarial Science
  • Library Science

→ Since Bankers value accuracy and structure, they excel in careers where precision and dependability are essential.

Using the CVI to Choose a College Major

Once students understand their core values, they can use their CVI assessment results to narrow down their college major choices.

Here's how students can apply their CVI results effectively:

  1. Identify Strengths and Preferences - By reviewing their CVI results, students can reflect on the types of activities that bring them satisfaction and fulfillment.
  2. Research Career Options - Students can explore career paths that align with their dominant core value energies and investigate potential salaries, job stability, and work environments.
  3. Consult Academic and Career Counselors - With their CVI results in hand, students can discuss career options with school counselors or mentors to get personalized advice.
  4. Engage in Experiential Learning - High school students can take internships, volunteer positions, or job shadowing opportunities in their preferred career fields to gain practical experience.
  5. Select the Right College Programs - Based on their dominant core values, students can choose colleges that offer strong programs in their preferred fields, ensuring they receive the best education for their career aspirations.

Benefits of Using the CVI for Career Decision-Making

The CVI offers several benefits to high school students who are making important career decisions:

  • Clarity and Direction - The assessment provides a clearer understanding of personal strengths, reducing uncertainty in career decision-making.
  • Increased Confidence - Students feel more confident about their choices when they know their selected career path aligns with their core values.
  • Improved Academic Success - When students choose a major that aligns with their intrinsic motivations, they are more likely to stay engaged and succeed academically.
  • Better Career Satisfaction - By choosing a career that matches their strengths, students increase their chances of long-term job satisfaction and fulfillment.

Conclusion

The Core Values Index psychometric assessment is a valuable tool for high school students exploring their future careers. By identifying their innate strengths and motivations, students can make more informed decisions about their college majors and career paths. Instead of selecting a career based on external pressures or trends, the CVI empowers students to choose a path that aligns with their true selves, setting them up for a successful and fulfilling future. High school students looking for guidance in their career exploration should consider taking the CVI to gain the self-awareness necessary for making confident and informed choices about their futures.

Core Values Index™ and CVI™ are trademarks of Taylor Protocols, Inc.


Go to eRep.com/core-values-index/ to learn more about the CVI or to take the Core Values Index assessment.

Steve Williamson

Steve Williamson

Innovator/Banker - VP Digital Marketing and Content, eRep, Inc.

Steve has a career in project management, software development and technical team leadership spanning three decades. He is the author of a series of fantasy novels called The Taesian Chronicles (ruckerworks.com), and when he isn't writing, he enjoys cycling, old-school table-top role-playing games, and buzzing around the virtual skies in his home-built flight simulator.

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