Career Profile: Career Planning Using Neuroscience-based Assessment with Machine Learning Evaluation

Calvin Poon, S C Ng and Andrew Lui
The Open University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong SAR, China

Hong Kong’s economy and population have grown at a fast pace in the last 20 years, and the level of studies and qualifications has risen, which has increased the number of “Monster” parents. They have begun to rely solely on tutorial classes to enhance their children’s academic performance, with unrealistic expectations which totally disregard their childrens’ willingness and capability. They misconceive that, with more intensive training, a better future for their children can be guaranteed. In fact, this has adverse effects on students’ discipline, attitudes and character, and their inner talents may not be developed.

Only recently did the Education Bureau increase funding and human resources for providing holistic support to schools for career guidance services and life-planning education. However, an increased workload and extensive administrative duties have caused many problems for teachers; and the lack of a comprehensive planning and record system for students from a young age has made the effectiveness of their efforts questionable.

This paper reports the design and implementation of a lifetime career profile to help a person determine his/her intellectual abilities, holistic thinking patterns, natural personality preferences, and progress. It provides a comprehensive gauge of qualities that helps students to choose their appropriate academic stream and career path, from gaining admission to higher education to acquiring a suitable job. The system updates and advises parents on their children’s progress and development, and helps them to understand their children better and reinforces their relationship. The system also aims to ease teachers’ workload, assisting them in formulating the appropriate counselling for students, and choosing suitable students for specific tasks according to their profiles.

The Career Profile adoptes a Holistic Thinking Pattern Assessment (HTPA) as a neuroscience-based tool to determine the thinking pattern of an individual, with a question-based test given to parents and students. Also their academic results are collected from students, and these data are then sent to an artificial neural network to identify the type of the resulting thinking patterns. Individuals are then advised on the corresponding high school subjects, university courses, extra-curricular activities and jobs according to their study levels.

Competence, competitiveness, and a well-balanced character are assured for the next generation through these measures