Holland’s Theory Holland Occupational Themes, known as RIASEC (Realistic; Investigative; Artistic; Social; Enterprising; Conventional) Occupational Themes Internal Factors Are you ■ practical reserved ■ self-controlled ■ independent ■ ambitious, systematic RealisticInvestigative (Doers) Do you like to ■ tinker with machines ■ work on electronic equipment ■ read a blue print and draw a plan ■ build things ■ plant and care for a garden Career Targets ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Service Manager Optician Landscape Architect Industrial Art Teacher Geodetic Surveyor Software Technician Mechanical Engineer Commercial Drafter Forester Laboratory Technician Occupational Themes Internal Factors Are you ■ inquisitive, analytical ■ scientific scholarly ■ cautious ■ logical curious Investigative (Thinker) Do you like to ■ explore a variety of ideas ■ work independently ■ perform laboratory experiments ■ deal with abstractions ■ do research ■ be challenged Career Targets ■ Chemical Engineer ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Chemist Biologist Actuary Economist Electrical Engineer Mathematician Medical Technologist Psychologists Physician (General Practice) Veterinarian Statistician Occupational Themes Internal Factors Are you ■ creative original ■ imaginative innovative ■ emotional expressive ■ sensitive ■ idealistic ■ impulsive ■ introspective ■ nonconforming Artistic (Creators) Do you like to ■ sketch, draw, paint ■ play musical instrument ■ write a stories, poetry, music ■ sing, act, dance ■ design fashion or interiors ■ work on craft ■ take photography ■ express yourself creatively ■ attend concert, theater art exhibits Career Targets ■ Actor ■ Advertising Manager ■ Architect ■ Artist ■ Drama Coach ■Entertainer/Performer ■ Fashion Illustrator ■ Interior Designer ■ Journalist/Reporter ■ Librarian ■ Photographer ■ Writer ■ Graphic Designer Occupational Themes Internal Factors Are you ■ friendly, helpful ■ idealistic, insightful ■ outgoing ■ understanding, cooperative ■ generous, responsible ■ forgiving ■ patient, kind Social (Helper) Do you like to ■ train/teach others ■ express yourself clearly ■ lead a group discussion ■ plan and supervise an activity ■ cooperate well with others ■ work in groups ■ help people with problems ■ do volunteer work ■ work with young people ■ serve others Career Targets ■ College/University Faculty ■Counselor/Therapist ■ Historian ■ Psychologists ■ Librarian ■Minister/Priest/Rabbi ■ Physical Therapist ■ Recreation Director ■ Teacher ■ Social Worker ■ Speech Pathologist ■ Police Officer ■ Volunteer Services Director ■ Nurse Occupational Themes Internal Factors Are you ■ Self-confident ■ Assertive persuasive ■ energetic ■ ambitious ■ popular ■ agreeable ■ talkative ■ extroverted ■ spontaneous Enterprising (Persuaders) ■ optimistic Do you like to ■ make decisions ■ be elected to office ■ start your own business ■ campaign politically ■ meet important people ■ have power or status Career Targets ■ Advertising Executive/Sales Representative ■ Banker/Financial Planner ■ Business Manager ■ Buyer ■ Credit Analyst ■ Customer Service ■ Education/Training Manager ■ Insurance Manager ■ Entrepreneur ■ Stock Broker ■ Tax Accountant ■ Social Service Director ■ Personnel Recruiter Occupational Themes Conventional (Organizers) Internal Factors Are you ■ well-organized ■ accurate ■ numerically inclined ■ methodical ■ efficient/systematic ■ conforming, obedient ■ persistent ambitious ■ polite, practical ■ thrifty Do you like to ■ work well within a system ■ do a lot of paper work in a short time ■ keep accurate records Follow clearly define procedures Work with numbers Career Targets ■ Accountant ■ Administrative Assistant ■ Budget Analyst ■ Business Manager ■ Computer Operator ■ Editorial Assistant ■ Elementary School Teacher ■ Insurance Underwriter ■ Tax Accountant ■ Internal Auditor ■ Financial Analyst ■ Safety Inspector Holland’s theory can be summarized as: ■ People of the same personality type working together in a job create a work environment that fits their type. For example, when artistic people are together in a job, they create a work environment that rewards creative thinking and behavior—an Artistic environment. ■ People search for environments where they can use their skills and abilities and express their values and attitudes. For example, investigative type of people search for Investigative environments. ■ People who choose to work in an environment similar to their personality type are more likely to be successful and satisfied. For example, artistic people are more likely to be successful and satisfied if they choose a job that has an artistic environment, like choosing to be a dance teacher in a dancing school—an environment populated by artistic people where creative abilities and expression are highly valued. The graphic illustration below shows how this works:4
