Holland Codes
The Holland Codes or the Holland Occupational Themes (RIASEC), refers to a theory of careers and vocational choice based upon personality types. The US Department of Labor ETA has been using the RIASEC model in the "Interests" section of its free online database, The Occupational Information Network (O*NET), since its inception during the late 1990s.[1][2][3]
Background
The theoretical framework behind the Holland Codes was developed by psychologist John L. Holland.[4] Each letter or code stands for a particular "type": Realistic (Doers), Investigative (Thinkers), Artistic (Creators), Social (Helpers), Enterprising (Persuaders), and Conventional (Organizers)."[5][6][7] Professor John Johnson of Penn State suggested that an alternative way of categorizing the six types would be through ancient social roles: "hunters (Realistic), shamans (Investigative), artisans (Artistic), healers (Social), leaders (Enterprising), and lorekeepers (Conventional)."[8]
According to the Committee on Scientific Awards, Holland's "research shows that personalities seek out and flourish in career environments they fit and that jobs and career environments are classifiable by the personalities that flourish in them."[4] Holland also wrote of his theory that "the choice of a vocation is an expression of personality."[9] Furthermore, while Holland suggests that people can be "categorized as one of six types,"[10] he also argues that "a six-category scheme built on the assumption that there are only six kinds of people in the world is unacceptable on the strength of common sense alone. But a six category scheme that allows a simple ordering of a person's resemblance to each of the six models provides the possibility of 720 different personality patterns."[11]
List of types
R: Doers (Realistic)
People who are "independent, stable, persistent, genuine, practical, and thrifty […] no-nonsense, down-to-earth individuals […] physical, athletic, or mechanical." They prefer "things rather than ideas or people […] being outdoors, using tools, operating machines, interacting with animals, and working with their hands." They also value the "natural, concrete, and tangible."[12] Sample majors and careers include:
- Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineer (with Investigative)[13]
- Agriculture,[14]
- Anthropology/Paleontology (with Investigative)[13]
- Architect (with Artistic and Enterprising)[14]
- Astronomy (with Investigative)[13]
- Carpenter (with Conventional and Investigative)[14]
- Chef(with Enterprising and Artistic)[14]
- Chemistry/Chemist (with Investigative and Conventional)[14]
- Computer engineering/Computer science/Information technology/Computer programmer (with Investigative and Conventional)[14][15]
- Dance (with Artistic)[13]
- Dentist (with Investigative and Social)[14]
- Engineer (with Investigative and Conventional)[15][14]
- Environmental science[13]
- Fashion design (with Artistic and Enterprising)[14]
- Fine Artist, Including Painter, Sculptor and Illustrator (with Artistic)[16]
- Firefighter (with Social and Enterprising)[14]
- Graphic designer (with Artistic and Enterprising)[14]
- Interior design(with Artistic)[13]
- Model (people) (with Artistic and Enterprising)[14]
- Musician (with Artistic and Enterprising)[14]
- Nurse (with Social, Conventional, and Investigative)[15][14]
- Park Naturalist (with Social and Artistic)[14]
- Personal trainer (with Enterprising and Social)[14]
- Photographer (with Artistic and Enterprising)[14]
- Physical therapy (with Social and Investigative)[14]
- Driver[14]
- Surgeon (with Investigative and Social)[14]
- Veterinarian (with Investigative and Social)[14]
- Web design/Web Development Specialist (with Artistic)[17]
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists(with Investigative)[14]
I: Thinkers (Investigative)
People who are "intellectual, introspective, […] inquisitive […] curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and logical." They prefer "tasks that are scholarly, scientific, technical, or medical [… and] activities that involve thought, observation, investigation, exploration, and discovery […] They like to solve problems, perform experiments, and conduct research."[12] Sample majors and careers include:
- Actuary(with Conventional and Enterprising)[14][15]
- Archivist/Librarian (with Social and Conventional)[14]
- Carpenter (with Conventional and Realistic)[14]
- Chemistry/Chemist (with Realistic and Conventional)[14][15]
- Computer engineering/Computer science/Information technology/Computer programmer (with Realistic and Conventional)[14][15]
- Counselor (with Social and Artistic)[15][14]
- Dentist (with Realistic and Social)[14]
- Dietitian (with Social and Enterprising)[14]
- Economics (with Conventional and social)[13]
- Engineer (with Realistic and Conventional)[15][14]
- Finance (with Enterprising and Conventional)[14][15]
- Lawyer (with Enterprising and Social)[14][13]
- Mathematician (with realistic)
- Nurse (with Realistic, Conventional, and Social)[15][14]
- Pharmacist (with Social and Conventional),[14]
- Physical therapy (with Social and Realistic)[14]
- Physician (Medical school/Medical research) (with Social)[14][15]
- Physics[15]
- Professor (all fields)[15]
- Psychology/Psychologist (with Social and Artistic)[15][14]
- Surgeon (with Realistic and Social)[14]
- Technical writer (with Artistic and Conventional)[14]
- Veterinarian (with Realistic and Social)[14]
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists(with Realistic)[14]
A: Creators (Artistic)
People who "are creative, intuitive, sensitive, articulate […], expressive, unstructured, original, nonconforming, and innovative [… who] rely on feelings, imagination […], inspiration [and…who] are spontaneous and open-minded." They prefer to "work with ideas, abstractions, and concepts." They also enjoy work that is "literary, verbal, visual, and aesthetic" and excel in "art, music, dance, drawing, painting, sculpting, drafting, writing, drama, communicating, design, fashion."[12][15] Sample majors and careers include:
- Architect (with Realistic and Enterprising)[14]
- Broadcast journalism (with Enterprising)[14]
- Clergy (with Social and Enterprising)[14]
- Chef (with Enterprising and Realistic)[14]
- Counselor (with Investigative and Social)[15][14]
- Dance (with Realistic)[13]
- Fashion design (with Realistic and Enterprising)[14]
- Fine Artist, Including Painter, Sculptor and Illustrator (with Realistic)[16]
- Graphic designer (with Enterprising and Realistic)[14]
- Interior design(with Realistic)[13]
- Model (people) (with Realistic and Enterprising)[14]
- Musician (with Enterprising and Realistic)[14]
- Park Naturalist (with Social and Realistic)[14]
- Psychology/Psychologist (with Social and Investigative); Art therapist/Dance therapy/Drama therapy/Music therapy (with social)[15][14]
- Public relations (with Enterprising)[14]
- Photographer (with Realistic and Enterprising)[14]
- Teacher (with Social)[15][14]
- Technical writer (with Investigative and Conventional)[14]
- Trainer (business) (with Social and Conventional)[14]
- Web design/Web Development Specialist (with Realistic)[17]
S: Helpers (Social)
People who "are kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, empathetic, tactful, and friendly." They prefer tasks that involve "socializing, helping others, and teaching […] teamwork, social interaction, relationship building [… and] humanitarian, educational, philanthropic, interpersonal, and service-oriented."[12] Sample majors and careers include:
- Archivist/Librarian (with Conventional and Investigative)[14]
- Clergy (with Artistic and Enterprising)[14]
- Community Organizer[15]
- Counselor (with Investigative and Artistic)[15][14]
- Customer service (with Conventional and Enterprising)[14]
- Dentist (with Investigative and Realistic)[14]
- Dietitian (with Investigative and Enterprising)[14]
- Economics (with Investigative and Conventional)[13]
- Education (Teacher/Counselor/Administration)
- Educational administration (with Enterprising and Conventional)[14]
- Firefighter (with Realistic and Enterprising)[14]
- Fitness Trainer and Aerobics Teacher (with Enterprising and Realistic)[14]
- Human Resources (with Conventional and Enterprising)[14]
- Lawyer (with Investigative and Enterprising)[14][13]
- Nurse (with Realistic, Conventional, and Investigative)[15][14]
- Park Naturalist (with Realistic and Artistic)[14]
- Pharmacist (with Investigative and Conventional),[14]
- Physical therapy (with Realistic and Investigative)[14]
- Physician (Medical school/Medical research) (with Investigative)[14][15]
- Psychology/Psychologist (with Investigative and Artistic)[15][14]
- Social Advocate[15]
- Sociology[15]
- Social Work[14]
- Surgeon (with Realistic and Investigative)[14]
- Teacher (Early childhood education, Primary school, Secondary school, Teaching English as a second language, Special Ed, and Substitute teaching) (with Artistic)[15][14]
- Trainer (business) (with Artistic and Conventional)[14]
- Veterinarian (with Investigative and Realistic)[14]
E: Persuaders (Enterprising)
People who "are adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident […], optimistic […], dominant, persuasive, and motivational." They prefer work that involves "leadership, business, politics, public speaking […], being in charge, taking risks, debating, and competing."[12] Sample majors and careers include:
- Actuary(with Investigative and Conventional)[14][15]
- Architect (with Artistic and Realistic)[14]
- Business[15]
- Buyer[15]
- Chef(with Realistic and Artistic)[14]
- Clergy (with Artistic and Social)[14]
- Customer service (with Conventional and Social)[14]
- Dietitian (with Social and Investigative)[14]
- Educational administration (with Social and Conventional)[14]
- Entrepreneur[15]
- Fashion design (with Artistic and Realistic)[14]
- Finance (with Conventional and Investigative)[14][15]
- Firefighter (with Social and Realistic)[14]
- Fitness Trainer and Aerobics Teacher (with Realistic and Social)[14]
- Fundraising,[15]
- Graphic designer (with Artistic and Realistic)[14]
- Human Resources (with Conventional and Social)[14]
- Broadcast journalism (with Artistic)[14]
- Lawyer (with Investigative and Social)[14][13]
- Management/Management Consultant[15]
- Market Research Analyst[15]
- Model (people) (with Artistic and Realistic)[14]
- Musician (with Artistic and Realistic)[14]
- Photographer (with Artistic and Realistic)[14]
- Public relations (with Enterprising)[14]
- Real Estate (with Conventional)[14][15]
C: Organizers (Conventional)
People who are "conscientious and conservative […] logical, efficient, orderly […], organized […], thorough, and detail-oriented." They are individuals who "value precision and accuracy." They excel in "practical tasks, quantitative measurements, and structured environments" and who "follow the rules." They prefer work that involves "accounting, statistics […], mathematics, numerical activities, and office settings.[12] Sample majors and careers include:
- Accounting/Tax advisor[15]
- Actuary(with Investigative and Enterprising)[14][15]
- Archivist/Librarian (with Social and Investigative)[14]
- Carpenter (with Realistic and Investigative)[14]
- Chemistry/Chemist (with Investigative and Realistic)[14]
- Computer engineering/Computer science/Information technology/Computer programmer (with Investigative and Realistic)[14][15]
- Customer service (with Enterprising and Social)[14]
- Economics (with Investigative and social)[13]
- Educational administration (with Social and Enterprising)[14]
- Engineer (with Investigative and Realistic)[15][14]
- Finance (with Enterprising and Investigative)[14][15]
- Human Resources (with Enterprising and Social)[14]
- Math teacher[15]
- Nurse (with Realistic, Social, and Investigative)[15][14]
- Pharmacist (with Social and Investigative),[14]
- Real Estate (with Enterprising)[14][15]
- Technical writer (with Artistic and Investigative)[14]
- Trainer (business) (with Social and Artisticl)[14]
Notes
- ↑ Replace with a database: O*NET replaces the Dictionary of Occupational Titles
- ↑ Rounds, James, Patrick I. Armstrong, Hsin-Ya Liao, and Phil Lewis & David Rivkin. "Second Generation Occupational Interest Profiles for the O*NET System: Summary." The National Center for O*NET Development, June 2008.
- ↑ O*NET OnLine: Interests
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Award for distinguished scientific applications of psychology: John L. Holland." American Psychologist, Vol 63(8), Nov 2008, 672–674.
- ↑ Self Assessment: Career Interests (UC Berkeley)
- ↑ New Hampshire Employment Security/New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau
- ↑ Watertown High School:DISCOVERING YOUR INTERESTS
- ↑ Selfless Service, Part II: Different Types of Seva
- ↑ Holland, John. Making Vocational Choices: a theory of careers. (Prentice-Hall, 1973): 6.
- ↑ Holland, John. Making Vocational Choices: a theory of careers. (Prentice-Hall, 1973): 2.
- ↑ Holland, John. Making Vocational Choices: a theory of careers. (Prentice-Hall, 1973): 3.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Careers and Personality:Birmingham-Southern College Career Services
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 13.8 13.9 13.10 13.11 13.12 13.13 Majors by Holland Code: University of Oaklahoma
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.8 14.9 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 14.14 14.15 14.16 14.17 14.18 14.19 14.20 14.21 14.22 14.23 14.24 14.25 14.26 14.27 14.28 14.29 14.30 14.31 14.32 14.33 14.34 14.35 14.36 14.37 14.38 14.39 14.40 14.41 14.42 14.43 14.44 14.45 14.46 14.47 14.48 14.49 14.50 14.51 14.52 14.53 14.54 14.55 14.56 14.57 14.58 14.59 14.60 14.61 14.62 14.63 14.64 14.65 14.66 14.67 14.68 14.69 14.70 14.71 14.72 14.73 14.74 14.75 14.76 14.77 14.78 14.79 14.80 14.81 14.82 14.83 14.84 14.85 14.86 14.87 14.88 14.89 14.90 14.91 14.92 14.93 14.94 14.95 14.96 14.97 14.98 14.99 14.100 14.101 14.102 14.103 14.104 14.105 14.106 14.107 14.108 14.109 14.110 14.111 14.112 14.113 14.114 Delaware Career Compass, State of Delaware
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 15.8 15.9 15.10 15.11 15.12 15.13 15.14 15.15 15.16 15.17 15.18 15.19 15.20 15.21 15.22 15.23 15.24 15.25 15.26 15.27 15.28 15.29 15.30 15.31 15.32 15.33 15.34 15.35 15.36 15.37 15.38 15.39 15.40 15.41 15.42 Career/Major Interest Game: Georgetown University Career Services
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 CPCC: Advertising & Graphic Design
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Career Matching: Riverland Community College
See also
Further reading
- Holland, John L. Making vocational choices: a theory of careers. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1973.
- Mariana, Matthew. "Replace with a database: O*NET replaces the Dictionary of Occupational Titles." Occupational Outlook Quarterly Online, Spring 1999 Vol. 43, Number 1.
- Rounds, James, Patrick I. Armstrong, Hsin-Ya Liao, and Phil Lewis & David Rivkin. "Second Generation Occupational Interest Profiles for the O*NET System: Summary." The National Center for O*NET Development, June 2008.
External links
Occupational Information Network (O*NET): US Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (free test and career matching):
Additional online tests (free):
College Majors (free):
- Two Year College:
- Four Year College: