My daughter will be starting art school in a few months. She's always been very creative but until just over a year ago she never expressed a strong interest in visual art. She has always loved music. She began taking cello lessons—at her request— when she was a little girl and began voice lessons a few years ago. Yet, she never expressed an interest in following these pursuits as a career. Other than taking a few required art classes in school, she never had formal training in painting and drawing until last year. As they say, she took to it like a duck to water. I can't wait to see how she grows as an artist as she continues her education.
Not all of us are good at art or music. Count me among those with no musical talent and very little talent in the visual arts. Each of us, however, has talents with which we are born as well as the ability to learn certain skills. These are called our aptitudes. You might have an aptitude for math or science, or good verbal or spatial abilities. Learning what your aptitudes are can be useful when you are trying to choose a career. Career counselors and other career development professionals often administer aptitude tests to help clients match their aptitudes to suitable occupations. This information can be used along with interests, personality and work-related values.
More: What is Aptitude?