YES! is unique from other assessments in several ways.  It can be extremely effective on an individual basis, under the guidance of a YES! Consultant. It is also designed to be used in a group setting, under the guidance of a teacher or mentor.  In the group setting, it uses the group dynamic, with optional interactive activities, to "help the learning stick."  

YES! provides information similar to other well-known assessments. However, most career assessments only cover one or two areas, such as interests and skills. What makes this assessment stand out from other tools is that it addresses four components of design: personality, interests, skills, and priorities. Whether used in a one-on-one consultation or a group setting, YES! brings all four of these essentials together in one assessment, allowing for a strong, holistic approach in understanding oneself.

What makes YES! unique from Career Direct is the group use option, as well as the fact that it is designed to be utilized by youth as young as twelve years old.

Working with a qualified YES! consultant to interpret the YES! will enable you to get the most out of your Detailed Report. They can provide objective input to help you see how all the components connect and aid you in integrating the data into effective recommendations.

Stewardship of work-related talents is directly associated with stewardship of finances derived from work. True stewardship starts with understanding and managing your strengths and weaknesses. The younger an individual can begin to understand their personality, interests, skills, and priorities, the earlier they can integrate this knowledge into decisions about activities and educational pursuits.  This allows them to explore more options and make wiser decisions later when it comes to activities, education, work, and career.

Larry Burkett initiated the Career Pathways program as part of Christian Financial Concepts in 1990 using a combination of several pre-existing assessments. After extensive research and development, the first version of what is now Career Direct was introduced in 1995. Initially, it was a paper assessment which was computer scored and printed. In 1999, the first CD-ROM version (1.8) was produced for use on individual computers. In 2003, the revised and reintroduced version 2.1 was released with electronic documents and audio CDs. The Internet-based Career Direct Complete Guidance System was released in 2006 and includes several streamlined improvements.

In (1996), YES! was introduced as a career assessment for younger people.  (YES! originally stood for Youth Exploration Survey.)  It, too, was initially a paper assessment.  The Internet-based launch of YES! was in 2024, and included a number of adjustments and improvements to the original assessment.

It is estimated that well over 150,000 students and adults have taken YES!, utilizing the print version.  These people include students in educational systems as well as young people in a juvenile prison setting.

These sections can be completed all in one sitting, or over the course of several shorter sessions.  Section and sub-section divisions make for natural break points throughout if needed.  Since progress is saved, the student can resume taking the assessment right where they left off. All together, we find that most individuals can complete the questions in about an hour.  

Investing additional time with a consultant, in group activities, or accessing additional resources, can provide the individual with the best experience.

Since the YES!  Assessment provides key information to help an individual understand and celebrate their unique design, the earlier the better! Designed to be taken from the ages of twelve to sixteen, it can be also appropriate for older individuals as well. 

The Personality results in particular tend to be stable over time. However, especially for younger individual, expanding life experiences, training, and education can cause a shift in the other areas of the assessment. You might want to start out using the YES! assessment at an early age and take it a couple of years later.  Once the student approaches or passes the age of 16 or 17, utilizing the Career Direct assessment, particularly coupled with a consultation, is a great option.  It provides more detailed information and more specific career guidance.

Before making major life decisions, it is always wise to base those decisions on the most current information. It can be compared to taking an x-ray. Even though every x-ray is an image of your skeleton, each one tells a different story depending on when it's taken. One set might simply show a history of growth, whereas another – taken immediately after an accident – might show a broken bone. An x-ray is a snapshot of your distant and immediate past and it provides insight into how you can prepare for the future. 

Taking the YES! assessment at a young age can help you understand your unique design and use that information with decision-making.  Taking the Career Direct assessment later can help you make decisions more specific to navigating your career journey.

Depression can affect and possibly mask accurate feedback from any assessment. Professional assistance and advice should be sought before making any major life decision in this situation.

You can connect with a trained YES!  consultant here.

YES! provides specialized training for people looking to become consultants. Each applicant undergoes a strict evaluation before being invited to attend a live training. Click here for more information.

Many YES! Consultants are also Career Direct Consultants. Career Direct is ideal for most individuals ages 16 and up. The Career Direct assessment is different, and the generated Detailed Report is more comprehensive. This typically allows for a longer, more in-depth consultation experience along with more serious and specific career guidance.  Click here for more information on Career Direct training.

You can either contact a local consultant or click the Contact Us link.