This inventory is a tool to map the extent to which your life has reflected the conditions that dominant systems assume or expect for individuals to access education, training, and early professional roles.
You will assess your structural position across 5 institutional systems: (1) housing and early life conditions, (2) education and academic opportunity, (3) work and income, (4) healthcare, and (5) social capital and professional access.
The goal is to make visible how class-based systems have shaped your access to structural resources across the life course and to surface how those patterns of inclusion and exclusion continue to influence future access and sustainability. It is not to assess individual effort, merit, or motivation.
By examining how structural systems have shaped your own access history, you will be better equipped to understand how your class position informs your professional identity and to recognize class-based differences in the lives of others with greater clarity, care, and accountability.
You will respond to 50 yes/no statements about your lived experience across the five systems above.
For each statement that applies to you, select Yes. Each Yes is worth one point.
After completing the inventory, total your score and consult the scoring guide.
A higher score reflects structural alignment, not effort or worth.
1. My family owned the home I lived in as a child.
2. At least one of my parents has a college degree.
3. I have always had a stable home to sleep in.
4. I grew up in a community where people did not have to lock their doors for safety.
5. When I was a child my family could afford clothes and housing that did not make me feel embarrassed or ashamed.
6. My family owned or still owns a second property (e.g., cottage, condo, rental).
7. I grew up in a neighborhood I considered safe.
8. I have never had to move frequently due to financial reasons.
9. I have never gone without heat, electricity, or running water at home.
10. I attended a school with up-to-date textbooks, facilities, or sports equipment.
11. I participated in extracurriculars or summer camps without needing a scholarship.
12. I was able to play organized sport or take lessons without worrying about cost.
13. I have never had to borrow or rely on second hand materials for school or consulting.
14. I have never missed a practicum or professional development opportunity due to cost.
15. I had access to tutoring, coaching, or exam prep services if needed.
16. I have never accessed a campus food bank or emergency bursary.
17. I have never questioned whether I “belonged” in university or graduate school.
18. I have attended a professional event (e.g., conference) without cost being a concern.
19. I have never had to delay or cancel my CMPC or graduate school goals due to finances.
20. I have never worked in fast food, retail, or night shift jobs.
21. I have never worked on holidays (e.g., Christmas, New Year’s Day) to support myself.
22. I have never contributed my income to family bills or housing.
23. My professional success is often attributed to effort rather than external support or conditions.
24. I have had access to reliable transportation for school, work, or consulting.
25. I have had access to stable employment with predictable hours, benefits, and advancement opportunities.
26. I have been able to accept unpaid or low-paid placements without financial hardship.
27. I have never chosen paid work over practicum or training because I had to.
28. I have never lied or minimized my financial situation to avoid shame or judgment.
29. I have never had to lie on my resume to obtain internship experience or employment.
30. I have always had access to healthcare, including dental and vision.
31. I can afford good medical and mental health care in a setting that will ensure my privacy.
32. I have never skipped a meal because I couldn’t afford food.
33. I have family or friends I can turn to in a financial emergency.
34. I have the money in my account right now to repair or replace items if needed (e.g., phone, laptop, car).
35. I can take time off for illness, injury, or recovery without major disruption.
36. I have always had access to basic banking tools such as a chequing account, savings account, or credit card.
37. I have manageable or no debt from school or living costs.
38. I have or expect to get an inheritance and/or property from my family.
39. I believe I will be able to own a home in the future without significant financial hardship.
40. I can imagine my retirement years without serious financial anxiety.
41. I have never felt judged for how I dress, speak, or act in professional spaces.
42. I have never felt pressure to “present differently” due to class-based assumptions.
43. No one in my immediate family has ever been in jail.
44. If I am charged with a crime, I will be able to afford a competent attorney and will not have to rely on a court-appointed lawyer.
45. I have had access to sport or consulting networks through family or social circles.
46. I have never felt out of place in a room full of sport professionals or mental consultants.
47. I have professional mentors or role models whose background feels similar to mine.
48. I have had the resources to begin pursuing CMPC certification without delay.
49. I have always known or understood the unspoken expectations of how to behave in professional or academic settings.
50. I have never been assumed to be “unprofessional” because of my language, accent, or appearance.
Please answer every question before submitting.
TOTAL SCORE
1. What was your initial response to your structural category?
Use the FAST framework to guide your reflection:
2. Which section of the inventory was the easiest and most challenging to complete? Why?
3. How might your own class position shape the lens through which you interpret clients' behaviors, experiences, or choices?
