BY CHLOE BOLLING
A&E EDITOR
Tomorrow, Morristown West High’s Junior class will be taking the ASVAB test. A common misconception students typically have concerning the ASVAB is that it is only useful for students considering the military in their future. This is untrue and due to a lack of understanding as to what the ASVAB really is. According to Melanie Justis, West High counselor, “The ASVAB is a wonderful aptitude test and career exploration program. It is not just a military entrance exam.”
The ASVAB is a “Career Exploration Program” aimed at students ages 15 and older. According to the official ASVAB website, “Results of the aptitude test and the interest inventory enable students to evaluate their skills, estimate their performance in academic and vocational endeavors, and identify potentially satisfying careers.” The test can be utilized to help find a career path that lines up with an individual’s interests and skills. There are currently 16 career clusters to explore. Even when a student’s career plans change over time, the test and its results assist his or her decision and open more doors by providing information about where he or she may best fit in the work force.
Another important piece of information from the ASVAB official site is, “Participants have no obligation to talk to a military recruiter or enter military service.” However, students interested in the military have a wonderful resource in the exam. The test gives a current ranking of students’ skills so they may improve upon them throughout their high school career and into the future. For more information about the ASVAB Career Exploration Program, visit www.asvabprogram.com
