Talents and Aptitudes

Talents and Aptitudes

Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB

            The more one uses his or her talents and aptitudes to the full, the happier he or she will be.

            The meaning of the word ‘talent’ comes from the Greek word “Talanton”, a monetary unit of high value. As we are taught by the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, a talent that is not “invested” or used is more of a liability than an asset. The talents we possess but don’t use will be taken away from us or rust to a point of uselessness.  We are obligated to put them to use.

            Interests and aptitudes often go together as Dr. William Moulton Marston would say, “A man’s future success depends on his ability plus what he enjoys doing. The only person who can give vocational advice is likely to be a psychologist who finds out what you want to do and enjoy doing.”

            Today most scientific and vocational guidance experts will test you not only on your aptitudes but also on your preferences. The Ruder Preference Record and other tests of one’s interests recognize the fact that there is very often a certain common ground between what one is interested in doing and what one can do. When a man finds that he can do what he is interested in doing, he is likely to feel that the green light is in his favour.

            Interest tests are important, that is to say, interests are so important a guide that many employers administer the E.K. Strong Vocational Interest Test or other tests of interests to all applicants seriously considered for jobs.

            Such tests are based on the discovery that men in the same vocation have similar interests. These interests usually exist before vocational training takes place and often grows stronger as we grow older. If you are destined for success in a particular field, your pattern of interests will very likely be similar to that of men who are already successful in that field.

            At the point when aptitudes and interests meet, your future success probably lies! This is the point where great opportunities may be opened for you.

            Thus, it is important to know which are those abilities that would make one happy for although material success could buy many coveted possessions, a mechanic who truly loves his job of repairing cars is better off than the president of a large firm who hates his work.



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