Before the Business Innovation Program (BIP) started, we took the CliftonStrengths Online Test Assessment. After taking the survey, we discovered our 5 Signature Themes. Signature Themes are characteristics that we all possess. The themes labeled determined our natural tendencies and habits. Finding these qualities helped us in discussion to understand everyone better in the program and what their tendencies and characteristics are. I thoroughly enjoyed this exercise every day because I automatically felt closer to my peers in the internship program.
After that, we worked on our elevator pitches, which I found very useful because I find it difficult sometimes to talk about myself. Practicing our elevator pitches made me more comfortable and confident when introducing myself to new people. Starting the summer internship with the strengths assessment and elevator pitches was very helpful. In our first week, multiple seasoned alumni spoke and connected with everyone in their specific line of work. I felt more prepared and confident introducing myself with my short elevator pitch because of the practice we had done before. The Strengths assessment came in handy when we formed our groups for our business pitches. We naturally created and formed balanced groups with the help of the Signature Themes chart.
Wabash Career Services utilizes Gallup’s world-renowned CliftonStrengths assessment to measure 34 research-validated talent themes to guide the development of those talents into strengths. Students can request access to the CliftonStrengths Online Test Assessment and schedule a follow-up consultation to learn how to apply this information to career discernment, work and educational settings, personal relationships, and more at career@wabash.edu.
