Occupational interests based on Holland’s theory of
career choice and
personality
Worker Characteristics are enduring characteristics that may influence both
performance and the capacity to acquire knowledge and skills required for
effective work performance (National Center for O*Net Development, 2017).
Two of these characteristics are interests and values, which reflect
preferences for work environments and outcomes and are called “Occupational Interests.”
Occupational
interests have been classified by different researchers. One of the researchers,
Dr. John Holland, developed a model of personality types and work environments in
1985. (image of Holland’s Hexagon from https://www.careerkey.org/choose-a-career/hollands-theory-of-career-choice.html#.WXwqQ4QrJ0w)
Dr.
Holland (1973) indicated that "the choice
of a vocation is an expression of personality" and his vocational
personality type theory model is used in the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) developed under the
sponsorship of the US
Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Holland’s model, the R-I-A-S-E-C Inventory, categorized the various
occupational/personality interests into 6 types: R = realistic, I = investigative, A = artistic,
S = social, E = enterprising, C = conventional. (image from: https://www.careerkey.org/choose-a-career/hollands-theory-of-career-choice.html#.WXwqQ4QrJ0w)
Individuals
usually have one interest that is the strongest/highest, but may also have a
combination of two interests. Here is a brief description of each of the six interest
codes (HollandCodes.com, 2017):
1.
Realistic is one of the Holland Codes. Realistic types prefer to deal
with Things. A person with a Realistic Personality tends to
be frank, practical, focused, mechanical, determined, or rugged. Examples
of Realistic Abilities include manipulating
tools, doing mechanical or manual tasks, or doing athletic activities.
2.
Investigative is one of the Holland Codes. Investigative types prefer to
deal with Things and Ideas. A person with an Investigative Personality tends
to be analytical, intellectual, reserved, independent, and scholarly.
Examples of Investigative Abilities include working
with abstract ideas and intellectual problems.
3.
Artistic is one of the Holland Code Career
Types. Artistic types prefer
to deal with Ideas and People. A person with an Artistic Personality tends to
be Complicated, Original, Impulsive, Independent, Expressive, and Creative.
Examples of Artistic Abilities include using
imagination and feelings in creative expression.
4.
Social is one of the Holland Occupational
Codes. Social types prefer
to deal with People. A
person with a Social Personality tends
to be Helping, Informing, Teaching, Inspiring, Counseling, and Serving. Examples
of Social Abilities include interacting
with people and concerned with the welfare of people.
5.
Enterprising is one of the Holland Occupational
Codes. Enterprising types prefer
to deal with Data and People. A
person with an Enterprising
Personality tends to be Characteristics: Persuasive,
Energetic, Sociable, Adventurous, Ambitious, and Risk-taking. Examples of Enterprising Abilities include leading,
managing, and organizing.
6.
Conventional is one of the Holland Occupational
Codes. Conventional types prefer
to deal with Data and Things. A
person with a Conventional
Personality tends to be Careful, Conforming, Conservative,
Conscientious, Self-controlled, and Structured. Examples of Conventional Abilities include ordering
activities paying attention to details.
You
can see more information about each career code and matching jobs at O*Net “Interests," O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET
Development (https://www.onetonline.org/find/descriptor/browse/Interests/)
References
Holland, J. (1973) Making Vocational Choices:
a theory of careers. Prentice-Hall,
6.
HollandCodes.com.
Holland Code Career Models. Retrieved July 29, 2017, from http://www.hollandcodes.com/holland_code_career.html
National
Center for O*NET Development. About O*NET. O*NET Resource Center. Retrieved July 29, 2017, from https://www.onetcenter.org/aboutOnet.html
Prepared
by Mary Noble, PhD on 7/28/17 http://psychologyfun.blogspot.com/
www.doggandponyshow.blogspot.com
