Holland Codes
The Holland Codes or the Holland Occupational Themes (RIASEC) refers to a theory of careers and vocational choice (based upon personality types) that was initially developed by American psychologist John L. Holland.[1][2]
The US Department of Labor ETA has been using an updated and expanded version of the RIASEC model in the "Interests" section of its free online database, The Occupational Information Network (O*NET),[3] since its inception during the late 1990s.[4][5]
Background
Holland made a career out of studying the world of work, pioneering the theory that if people were aware of their personality type or combination of types - realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising or conventional - then they would be happier workers.
—Amy Lunday[1]
Holland's theories of vocational choice, The Holland Occupational Themes, "now pervades career counseling research and practice."[2] Its origins "can be traced to an article in the Journal of Applied Psychology in 1958 and a subsequent article in 1959 that set out his theory of vocational choices [....] The basic premise was that one's occupational preferences were in a sense a veiled expression of underlying character." [6] The 1959 article in particular ("A Theory of Vocational Choice," published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology) is considered the first major introduction of Holland's "theory of vocational personalities and work environments."[2]
Holland originally labeled his six types as "motoric, intellectual, esthetic, supportive, persuasive, and conforming."[2] He later developed and changed them to: Realistic (Doers), Investigative (Thinkers), Artistic (Creators), Social (Helpers), Enterprising (Persuaders), and Conventional (Organizers)."[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."[9] Holland also wrote of his theory that "the choice of a vocation is an expression of personality."[10] Furthermore, while Holland suggests that people can be "categorized as one of six types,"[11] 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."[12]
List of types
R: Realistic (Doers)
People who like to work with "things". They tend to be "assertive and competitive, and are interested in activities requiring motor coordination, skill and strength." They approach problem solving "by doing something, rather than talking about it, or sitting and thinking about it." They also prefer "concrete approaches to problem solving, rather than abstract theory." Finally, their interests tend to focus on "scientific or mechanical rather than cultural and aesthetic areas."[13][14] Sample majors and careers include:
- Agriculture[15]
- Architect (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Athletics[16]
- Carpenter (with Conventional and Investigative)[15]
- Culinary arts (with Artistic and Enterprising)[17]
- Chemistry/Chemist (with Investigative and Conventional)[15]
- Computer engineering/Computer science/Information technology/Computer programmer (with Investigative and Conventional)[15][16]
- Dentist (with Investigative and Social)[15]
- Engineer (with Investigative and Conventional)[15][16]
- Fashion design (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Fine Artist, Including Painter, Sculptor and Illustrator (with Artistic)[18]
- Firefighter (with Social and Enterprising)[15]
- Graphic designer (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Model (people) (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Musician (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Nurse (with Social, Conventional, and Investigative)[15][16]
- Outdoor recreation[16]
- Park Naturalist (with Social and Artistic)[15]
- Personal trainer (with Enterprising and Social)[15]
- Photographer (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Physical therapy (with Social and Investigative)[15]
- Driver[15]
- Surgeon (with Investigative and Social)[15]
- Veterinarian (with Investigative and Social)[15]
- Web developer (with Conventional, Artistic, and Investigative)[15]
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (with Investigative)[15]
I: Investigative (Thinkers)
People who prefer to work with "data". They like to "think and observe rather than act, to organize and understand information rather than to persuade." They also prefer "individual rather than people oriented activities."[13][14] Sample majors and careers include:
- Actuary(with Conventional and Enterprising)[15][16]
- Archivist/Librarian (with Social and Conventional)[15]
- Biostatistics/Masters in Public Health (with Conventional)[19]
- Carpenter (with Conventional and Realistic)[15]
- Chemistry/Chemist (with Realistic and Conventional)[15][16]
- Community Health Workers/Masters in Public Health (with Social and Enterprising)[20]
- Computer engineering/Computer science/Information technology/Computer programmer (with Realistic and Conventional)[15][16]
- Counselor (with Social and Artistic)[15][16]
- Dentist (with Realistic and Social)[15]
- Dietitian/Nutritionist (with Social and Enterprising)[15]
- Doctor (Medical school/Medical research) (with Social)[15][16]
- Economics(with Conventional and Enterprising)[21]
- Engineer (with Realistic and Conventional)[15][16]
- Epidemiology/Masters in Public Health (with Social)[22]
- Finance (with Enterprising and Conventional)[15][16]
- Lawyer (with Enterprising and Social)[15]
- Nurse (with Realistic, Conventional, and Social)[15][16]
- Pharmacist (with Social and Conventional),[15]
- Physical therapy (with Social and Realistic)[15]
- Physics[16]
- Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers (with Artistic)[23]
- Professor/Research - Ph.D.[16]
- Psychology/Psychologist (with Social and Artistic)[15][16]
- Public administration/Public policy(with Social and Enterprising)[21]
- Social Work (with Social)[15]
- Surgeon (with Realistic and Social)[15]
- Technical writer (with Artistic and Conventional)[15][24]
- Tutor (with Social)[25]
- Veterinarian (with Realistic and Social)[15]
- Web developer (with Conventional, Realistic, and Artistic)[15]
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists(with Realistic)[15]
A: Artistic (Creators)
People who like to work with "ideas and things." They tend to be "creative, open, inventive, original, perceptive, sensitive, independent and emotional." They rebel against "structure and rules," but enjoy "tasks involving people or physical skills." They tend to be more emotional than the other types.[13][14] Sample majors and careers include:
- Architect (with Realistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Broadcast journalism (with Enterprising)[15]
- Clergy (with Social and Enterprising)[15]
- Counselor (with Investigative and Social)[15][16]
- Culinary arts (with Realistic and Enterprising)[17]
- Fashion design (with Realistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Fine Artist, Including Painter, Sculptor and Illustrator (with Realistic)[18]
- Graphic designer (with Enterprising and Realistic)[15]
- Model (people) (with Realistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Musician (with Enterprising and Realistic)[15]
- Park Naturalist (with Social and Realistic)[15]
- Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers (with Investigative)[23]
- Psychology/Psychologist (with Social and Investigative); Art therapist/Dance therapy/Drama therapy/Music therapy (with social)[15][16]
- Public relations (with Enterprising)[15]
- Photographer (with Realistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Teacher (with Social)[15][16]
- Technical writer (with Investigative and Conventional)[15][24]
- Trainer (business) (with Social and Conventional)[15]
- Web developer (with Conventional, Realistic, and Investigative)[15]
S: Social (Helpers)
People who like to work with "people" and who "seem to satisfy their needs in teaching or helping situations." They tend to be "drawn more to seek close relationships with other people and are less apt to want to be really intellectual or physical."[13][14] Sample majors and careers include:
- Archivist/Librarian (with Conventional and Investigative)[15]
- Clergy (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Community Organizer[16]
- Community Health Workers/Masters in Public Health (with Investigative and Enterprising)[20]
- Counselor (with Investigative and Artistic)[15][16]
- Customer service (with Conventional and Enterprising)[15]
- Dentist (with Investigative and Realistic)[15]
- Dietitian/Nutritionist (with Investigative and Enterprising)[15]
- Doctor (Medical school/Medical research) (with Investigative)[15][16]
- Educational administration (with Enterprising and Conventional)[15]
- Epidemiology/Masters in Public Health (with Investigative)[22]
- Personal Financial Planner/Certified Financial Planner(with Enterprising and Conventional)[26]
- Firefighter (with Realistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Fitness Trainer and Aerobics Teacher (with Enterprising and Realistic)[15]
- Foreign Service/Diplomacy (with Enterprising and Artistic)[27]
- Human Resources (with Conventional and Enterprising)[15]
- Lawyer (with Investigative and Enterprising)[15]
- Nurse (with Realistic, Conventional, and Investigative)[15][16]
- Park Naturalist (with Realistic and Artistic)[15]
- Pharmacist (with Investigative and Conventional)[15]
- Physical therapy (with Realistic and Investigative)[15]
- Psychology/Psychologist (with Investigative and Artistic)[15][16]
- Public Health Educator/Masters in Public Health (with Enterprising)[28]
- Public administration/Public policy(with Investigative and Enterprising)[21]
- Social Advocate[16]
- Sociology[16]
- Social Work[15]
- Surgeon (with Realistic and Investigative)[15]
- Teacher (Early childhood education, Primary school, Secondary school, Teaching English as a second language, Special Ed, and Substitute teaching) (with Artistic)[15][16][29]
- Trainer (business) (with Artistic and Conventional)[15]
- Tutor (with Investigative)[25]
- Veterinarian (with Investigative and Realistic)[15]
E: Enterprising (Persuaders)
People who like to work with "people and data." They tend to be "good talkers, and use this skill to lead or persuade others." They "also value reputation, power, money and status."[13][14] Sample majors and careers include:
- Actuary (with Investigative and Conventional)[15][16]
- Architect (with Artistic and Realistic)[15]
- Buyer[16]
- Community Health Workers/Masters in Public Health (with Investigative and Social)[20]
- Culinary arts (with Artistic and Realistic)[17]
- Clergy (with Artistic and Social)[15]
- Customer service (with Conventional and Social)[15]
- Dietitian/Nutritionist (with Social and Investigative)[15]
- Economics(with Investigative and Conventional)[21]
- Educational administration (with Social and Conventional)[15]
- Entrepreneur and Business[16]
- Fashion design (with Artistic and Realistic)[15]
- Finance (with Conventional and Investigative)[15][16]
- Personal Financial Planner/Certified Financial Planner(with Social and Conventional)[26]
- Foreign Service/Diplomacy (with Social and Artistic)[27]
- Firefighter (with Social and Realistic)[15]
- Fitness Trainer and Aerobics Teacher (with Realistic and Social)[15]
- Fundraising[16]
- Graphic designer (with Artistic and Realistic)[15]
- Human Resources (with Conventional and Social)[15]
- Broadcast journalism (with Artistic)[15]
- Lawyer (with Investigative and Social)[15]
- Management/Management Consultant[16]
- Market Research Analyst (with Investigative)[16]
- Model (people) (with Artistic and Realistic)[15]
- Musician (with Artistic and Realistic)[15]
- Photographer (with Artistic and Realistic)[15]
- Public Health Educator/Masters in Public Health (with Social)[28]
- Public administration/Public policy(with Investigative and Social)[21]
- Public relations/Publicity/Advertising/Marketing (with Artistic)[15]
- Real Estate Agent (with Conventional)[15][16]
- Sales (with Conventional and Social)[15]
C: Conventional (Organizers)
People who prefer to work with "data" and who "like rules and regulations and emphasize self-control...they like structure and order, and dislike unstructured or unclear work and interpersonal situations." They also "place value on reputation, power, or status."[13][14] Sample majors and careers include:
- Accounting/Tax advisor (with Enterprising)[15][16]
- Actuary (with Investigative and Enterprising)[15][16]
- Archivist/Librarian (with Social and Investigative)[15]
- Biostatistics/Masters in Public Health (with Investigative)[19]
- Carpenter (with Realistic and Investigative)[15]
- Chemistry/Chemist (with Investigative and Realistic)[15]
- Computer engineering/Computer science/Information technology/Computer programmer (with Investigative and Realistic)[15][16]
- Customer service (with Enterprising and Social)[15]
- Economics(with Investigative and Enterprising)[21]
- Educational administration (with Social and Enterprising)[15]
- Engineer (with Investigative and Realistic)[15][16]
- Finance (with Enterprising and Investigative)[15][16]
- Personal Financial Planner/Certified Financial Planner(with Social and Enterprising)[26]
- Human Resources (with Enterprising and Social)[15]
- Math teacher (with Social)[16]
- Nurse (with Realistic, Social, and Investigative)[15][16]
- Office administration (with Enterprising)[15]
- Pharmacist (with Social and Investigative),[15]
- Real Estate Agent (with Enterprising)[15][16]
- Statistician(with Realistic and Investigative)[15]
- Technical writer (with Artistic and Investigative)[15][24]
- Trainer (business) (with Social and Artistic)[15]
- Web developer (with Artistic, Realistic, and Investigative)[15]
See also
Notes
- ^ a b "John L. Holland, 1919-2008: A Select Bibliography added to the Tribute & Obituary". NCDA. 2008-11-27. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ a b c d "The Development, Evolution, and Status of Holland’s Theory of Vocational Personalities: Reflections and Future Directions for Counseling Psychology." Journal of Counseling Psychology, Vol 57(1), 2010, 11-22.
- ^ "O*NET OnLine: Interests". Occupational Information Network. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ Matthew, Mariana (1999). "Replace with a database: O*NET replaces the Dictionary of Occupational Titles" (PDF). Occupational Outlook Quarterly Online, Spring 1999 Vol. 43, Number 1. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ Rounds, James Patrick (2008). "Second Generation Occupational Interest Profiles for the O*NET System: Summary" (PDF). The National Center for O*NET Development, June 2008. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ Athanasou, James. "Obituary: John L. Holland 1919-2008" Australian Journal of Career Development, September 22, 2009.
- ^ "Holland Codes" (PDF). New Hampshire Employment Security, Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ Johnson, John (2013-06-13). "Selfless Service, Part II: Different Types of Seva". Psychology Today. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Award for distinguished scientific applications of psychology: John L. Holland." American Psychologist, Vol 63(8), Nov 2008, 672–674.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f "Holland Code Assessment". Rogue Community College. Retrieved 2018-07-20.
- ^ a b c d e f "SmartStart:Your Guide to Finding and Keeping a Job" (PDF). Utah Department of Workforce Services. Retrieved 2018-07-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq "State of Delaware: Department of Labor, Office of Occupational and Labor Market Information: Publications-Delaware Career Compass". State of Delaware. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq "Career/Major Interests Game". Georgetown University. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ a b c "Degrees with Holland Codes" (PDF). Arizona Western College. Retrieved 2018-02-07.
- ^ a b "Advertising and Graphic Design". Central Piedmont Community College. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ a b "Summary Report for:15-2041.01 - Biostatisticians". Occupational Information Network. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
- ^ a b c "Summary Report for:21-1094.00 - Community Health Workers". Occupational Information Network. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
- ^ a b c d e f "Holland Codes and Majors". University of North Florida. Retrieved 2018-07-20.
- ^ a b "Summary Report for: 19-1041.00 - Epidemiologists". Occupational Information Network. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
- ^ a b "Summary Report for: 25-3099.02 - Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers". Occupational Information Network. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
- ^ a b c "Summary Report for:27-3042.00 - Technical Writers". Occupational Information Network. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
- ^ a b "Summary Report for: 25-3099.02 - Tutors". Occupational Information Network. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
- ^ a b c "Summary Report for:13-2052.00 - Personal Financial Advisors". ONET. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
- ^ a b "Purdue Career Center" (PDF). Purdue University. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
- ^ a b "Summary Report for:21-1091.00 - Health Educators". Occupational Information Network. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
- ^ "Job Environment: Social". Rogue Community College. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
Further reading
- Eikleberry, Carol; Pinsky, Carrie. The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People (Fourth Edition). Ten Speed Press, 2015.
- Holland, John L. Making vocational choices: a theory of careers. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1973.
- Streufert, Billie. "How Facebook can help you select a major or career," USA Today, September 26, 2015.
External links
Free Tests
- O*NET Interest Profiler (Holland Codes Quiz) – Occupational Information Network (O*NET): US Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration
- Student Services: Holland Codes Quiz – Rogue Community College
- Take the Quiz – Sheridan College
Careers
- O*NET Holland Codes Interests Matched to Careers– Occupational Information Network (O*NET): US Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration
- "Find Your Field," New York Times, April 7, 2016
- "Green Careers Resource Guide (2007) by Jim Cassio" (Holland Codes, pages 9–10) – Colorado College
College Majors and High School Classes
- Holland Code and College Majors: College majors classified by Holland Themes – Central Oregon Community College
- Holland Code and College Majors: Some College Majors and Their Three Digit Holland Code – Central Oregon Community College
- Majors With Alphabetical List of Holland Codes – University of North Florida
- Career Interest Areas:Courses by Holland Codes - Timpview High School