Alongside my bedroom door hangs a piece of artwork. I am unaware of its origins, but I have familiarized myself with the drawing of a baby girl. The name “Andie” is written in cursive across the center, followed by a variety of characteristics, like “loves to meet new people” and “dashing and debonair,” that are meant to describe me.

Considering I am a highly introverted person who prefers to spend their weekends lounging on the couch in sweatpants and a tattered t-shirt, I cannot help but laugh at these descriptors.

Although I question the artwork’s legitimacy, it is fun to determine personality type based on something as subjective as a name. Besides Biblical references or Greek mythology, how do we find meaning in a name? How can we assess my sense of fashion or public demeanor based on a name I did not choose?

Looking to confirm the list of admirable qualities hanging on the wall, I typed my name into Google and selected the top result. The descriptors “strong” and “manly” were the first to appear, directly contradicting the “womanly, feminine grace” assumption in the artwork. Sure, some of the characteristics listed on my wall ring true, including my being “a believer in maintaining high standards.” But is one accuracy enough to forgive the erroneous speculations?

Society’s attempt to determine personality extends beyond given names. Zodiac signs are another popular method of explaining personality types. Proponents of astrology believe that personality can be determined by the movement of the sun, planets, and moon. Your date of birth corresponds with one of twelve zodiac constellations, depending on where the sun was located when you were born. The specific locations of these sky elements are used to create horoscopes, which are solar system maps that help professionals draw conclusions based on angles and aspect ratios.

Despite societal skepticism, zodiac signs and daily/weekly horoscopes are relatively popular amongst Gen Zers. While I do not have a particular stance on astrology, I am a proud Libra (September 23 – October 23). I truly identify with the symbol of Libra, a scale, for my main concern in life is to obtain balance and harmony in everything I do.

This is ironic, however, because Libras are (supposedly) overthinkers. So, although I strive to strike a healthy balance in life, whether it be work/life or school/sleep, I will always feel the need to do more.

But otherwise, I enjoy reading my horoscopes. It’s not that I care to know what others think of me or desire otherworldly guidance from the moon and stars. Instead, the entire concept is fun. I enjoy laughing at the incredibly inaccurate assumptions and simultaneously psyche myself out over the precise descriptions of my life.

However, names and zodiac signs are incredibly subjective determinations of one’s personality. Are there more scientific methods to help us determine what type of person we are or who we may eventually be?

Career Services at Northern Michigan University offers the CliftonStrengths assessment to students upon request. Developed by GALLUP, an analytics and advisory company, the CliftonStrengths evaluation includes 177 questions and takes approximately an hour to complete. The assessment is meant to identify talents and strengths that come naturally to individuals.

According to the CliftonStrengths website, “the assessment measures your unique talents … and categorizes them into the 34 CliftonStrengths themes.” These themes exist within four domains – strategic thinking, relationship building, influencing, and executing. Upon completing the assessment, participants are assigned five themes within any of the four domains. Although its success relies on appropriate application by participants, the assessment is evidence-based and rooted in psychological studies.

After completing the CliftonStrengths test, I was given the following results: achiever, context, learner, discipline, and intellection. These five themes fall into the strategic thinking and executing domains. To summarize my “natural strengths,” I am a hard worker who understands the importance of history when considering our future. I have an insatiable desire to learn and enjoy critical thinking with like-minded individuals.

Unlike the name my parents chose or the resulting zodiac sign of my October birthday, CliftonStrengths relied on my honest perceptions of life, learning, and the future. The questionnaire helped identify my strengths and weaknesses. I can invest time and energy into these areas by honing in on my talents or natural way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. In doing so, I can solve problems effectively and adapt to uncomfortable situations.

You may not need a test to tell you your strengths. But, for some, it is a significant confidence boost that can guide future endeavors and life choices. While it is inappropriate to justify specific actions based on the results of an online examination, CliftonStrengths is a much more effective approach to taking hold of your future than weekly horoscopes or the origins of your birth name.

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Andie Balenger is a native of Gladstone and is currently attending Northern Michigan University. Her column addresses topics from the perspective of a young adult and runs Thursdays in the Daily Press.