PsicoLab, a digital tool that guides young people to choose their career

The day Mariana faced the most important decision of her life, she felt completely lost. For months I had heard contradictory advice, such as “study something with a future” or “choose a career that will make you money.” Like her, thousands of young people in their last year of school feel the pressure of choosing a professional career, facing doubts, family expectations and the uncertainty of the future.

Ingrid Barrios, a professor of Psychology at the Franz Tamayo University, Unifranz, explains that, however, technological advances have made a series of digital tools available to young people that facilitate decision-making and guide them in discovery. of their vocation, avoiding frustrations and facilitating a more promising future, such as the PsicoLab platform.

“It emerges, specifically in 2022, as an innovative project within the Psychology degree. It was born from the need to provide concrete support to students in their final year of school, who face the difficult task of choosing a university career,” indicates the professional psychologist.

What is it and how does it work?

PsicoLab is an innovative digital tool designed for students, mainly in their final years of high school, who need clear and personalized guidance to decide their professional future. Through psychometric and psychotechnical evaluations, the platform offers a deep and detailed analysis of users’ interests, skills and personality.

The tool has four main assessments, each focused on different aspects of personal and vocational development:

1. Chaside: it is a specialized test that helps young people make the best decision about their university career. It evaluates interests, abilities and personal preferences, offering clear results on the professional areas most related to each student.

2. SPV (Personality and Values ​​System): analyzes the personality and fundamental values ​​of individuals, which influence their behavior, decision making and professional projection.

3. Domino: This is a non-verbal graphic psychotechnical test that measures the central functions of intelligence, such as abstraction and understanding of logical relationships. Its objective is to evaluate the General Intelligence Factor (G), a key indicator of cognitive abilities.

4. Disc: this test allows us to gain an in-depth understanding of the individual’s personality, highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement. Although it is widely used in personnel selection processes, it is also key for personal development and professional decision-making.

Barrios explains that choosing a career is a decision that can set the course of our professional and personal lives. “By choosing a career that aligns with our interests, skills and values, we are more likely to feel motivated, satisfied and successful.”

Along these lines, through its online assessments, the platform helps young people to know themselves better, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and explore different academic options. This way, they can make a more informed and conscious decision about their future.

The platform is available at the following address: https://psicolab.unifranzelalto.com/, although schools interested in the evaluation must send a letter to the vice-rectorate of Unifranz El Alto, requesting the service.

Tangible impact on youth

Since its implementation, this digital platform has become a key tool for the development of young people. José Callisaya, a Systems Engineering student, is one of the beneficiaries of the program.

“This coaching tool helped me discover my true passions and strengths. Their tests helped me choose a career that I really enjoy and in which I feel fulfilled,” he says with conviction.

This testimony reflects the positive impact of this digital tool, which transforms uncertainty into confidence and doubts into correct decisions.

Why is it so important to choose well?

Choosing a university degree not only defines the professional path, but also personal satisfaction and quality of life.

Hasty, misguided, or decisions based solely on external pressures can lead to years of frustration and demotivation.

“Making a mistake when choosing a career is common and does not mean that we have failed. It is important to remember that people change and evolve throughout their lives, and what we are passionate about today may be different tomorrow. If you realize that the career you chose is not the right one, you always have the option of changing careers or exploring other professional options,” indicates the professional psychologist.

However, choosing a career is only the first part of the journey. Choosing the right university also plays a crucial role in students’ career success. Modern universities must provide theoretical and practical training, in accordance with the demands of the labor market.

Bolivian youth present unique challenges in terms of vocational guidance and educational opportunities. In this sense, platforms like PsicoLab democratize access to vocational guidance, providing students with the necessary tools to make strategic and well-informed decisions.