Investigate your Skills & Interests based on the Holland Occupational Themes and Career Personality Model to help you find the career path that best fits your Personality Type.
Holland Occupational Themes were developed by a psychologist named Dr. John Holland in the 1970s to match people to their best-fit work environments.
The model continues to be one of the most widely used today. As a result, it goes by many names and is often referred to as the RIASEC model.
The initials represent the six theme codes: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.
After taking the occupational assessments, you will find that you fit into more than one type, but focus on the top two or three to find the best career match for your personality.
We have linked the Personality Types with the O*NET Database to help you learn more about the occupations that best match your Personality, Skills, and Interests.
The “Doer” Realistic Type
The Realistic Personality Type likes using their hands and eyes to explore the world and accomplish things.
- These individuals like doing outdoor, mechanical, and physical activities and occupations.
- They prefer working with objects, tools, machines, plants, and animals rather than with ideas, data, and people.
- Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
- They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
- Many occupations require working outside and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Key Occupational Skills
- They like using and operating tools, equipment, and machinery.
- They like designing, building, repairing, maintaining, measuring, and working in detail.
- They care for animals.
- They like working with plants.
Subjects you could study to give you the skills
English, Maths, Science, Workshop, Technology, Computing, Business Studies, Agriculture, Horticulture, and Physical Education.
Occupations with Realistic components
Pilot, farmer, horticulturist, builder, engineer, armed services personnel, mechanic, upholsterer, electrician, computer technologist, park ranger, and sportsperson.
The “Thinker” Investigative Type
The Investigative Personality Type tends to be analytical, intellectual, and scholarly.
- They enjoy research, mathematical, or scientific activities.
- These individuals live in their minds and prefer to deal with the world from afar.
- They like reading, studying, and using books and other data instead of working hands-on.
- These individuals are unconventional and independent thinkers who are curious and very insightful.
- Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas and require extensive thinking.
- These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Key Occupational Skills
- They are good at thinking analytically and logically.
- They are good communicators.
- They like designing, formulating, and calculating.
- They like diagnosing, experimenting, and investigating.
Subjects you could study to give you the skills
English, Maths, Science, Computing, and Technology.
Occupations with Investigative components
Science, research, medical and health occupations, chemist, marine scientist, forestry technician, medical or agricultural laboratory technician, zoologist, dentist, and doctor.
The “Creator” Artistic Type
The Artistic Personality Type uses their hands and minds to create new things.
- They appreciate beauty, unstructured activities, and variety.
- They enjoy exciting and unusual people, sights, textures, and sounds.
- These individuals prefer to work in unstructured situations and use their creativity and imagination.
- Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs, and patterns.
- They often require self-expression, and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Key Occupational Skills
- Expressing artistically or physically
- Speaking, writing, singing, performing, playing, and dancing
- Designing, presenting, planning, and composing
Subjects you could study to give you the skills
English, Social Studies, Music, Drama, Art, Graphic Design, Computing, Business Studies, and Languages.
Occupations with Artistic components
Artist, illustrator, photographer, signwriter, composer, singer, instrument player, dancer, actor, reporter, writer, editor, advertiser, hairdresser, and fashion designer.
The “Helper” Social Type
The Social Personality Type is dedicated, humanistic, responsible, and supportive leaders.
- They use feelings, words, and ideas to work with people rather than physical activity to do things.
- They enjoy closeness, sharing, groups, unstructured activity, and being in charge.
- Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people.
- These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Key Occupational Skills
- They are good at communicating orally or in writing.
- They are caring and supportive.
- They like training, meeting, greeting, assisting, teaching, informing, interviewing, and coaching.
Subjects you could study to give you the skills
English, Social Studies, Maths, Science, Health, Physical Education, Art, Computing, Business Studies, and Languages.
Occupations with Social components
Teacher, nurse, nurse aide, counselor, police officer, social worker, salesperson, customer service officer, waiter, and secretary.
The “Persuader” Enterprising Type
The Enterprising Personality Type likes to work with people, influence, persuade, lead, or manage organizational goals or economic gain.
- An enterprising personality type is often a leader who is talented at organizing, persuading, and managing.
- They enjoy money, power, status, and being in charge.
- Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects.
- These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions.
- Sometimes, they require risk-taking, and they often deal with business.
Key Occupational Skills
- They are good at selling, promoting, and persuading.
- They like developing ideas.
- They like public speaking, managing, organizing, leading, and captaining.
- They are good at planning.
Subjects you could study to give you the skills
English, Maths, Business Studies, Accounting, Economics, Social Studies, Drama, Computing, Text Information Management, and Languages.
Occupations with Enterprising components
Salesperson, lawyer, politician, accountant, business owner, executive or manager, travel agent, music or sports promoter.
The “Organizer” Conventional Type
The Conventional Personality Type likes to work with data and numbers, carry out tasks in detail, and follow others’ instructions.
- They are quiet, careful, responsible, well-organized, and task-oriented.
- These individuals use their minds, eyes, and hands to accomplish tasks.
- Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines.
- These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas.
- There is usually a clear line of authority to follow.
Key Occupational Skills
- They like recording and keeping records.
- They pay attention to detail.
- They like meeting and greeting.
- They are good at doing calculations, handling money, organizing, arranging, and working independently.
Subjects you could study to give you the skills
English, Maths, Business Studies, Accounting, Economics, Computing, and Text Information Management.
Occupations with Conventional components
Secretary, receptionist, office worker, librarian, bank clerk, computer operator, and dispatch clerk.
