Assessing your interests

Dr. John Holland, a psychologist, had a theory that people and work environments can be loosely classified into six different groups.

Artistic

People in Artistic careers are “creators.” They are creative and enjoy expressing themselves through art, music, dance, writing, and drama. These workers may seek out free, unstructured environments. Examples: Dancer, Fashion Designer, Artist, and Musician.

Investigative

People in Investigative careers are “thinkers.” They like using their minds to solve problems. They often excel in science and math. They are independent thinkers and may enjoy puzzles and games based on logic. Examples: Professor, Computer Designer, Surgeon, and Scientist.

Realistic

People in Realistic careers are “doers.” They are generally active, "hands-on" workers who like working with tools and equipment, are often athletic, and enjoy the outdoors. Examples: Astronauts, Firefighters, Paramedics, and Veterinarians.

Social

People in Social careers are “helpers.” They value their relationships with other people. They like helping others and seek out opportunities to give advice or otherwise interact with people. Examples: Counselor, Nurse, Teacher, and Occupational Therapist.

Conventional

People in Conventional careers are “organizers.” They are very organized, structured workers. They like accomplishing their work step-by-step and are good record-keepers. Examples: Accountant, Secretary, Banker, and Proofreader.

Enterprising

People in Enterprising careers are “persuaders.” They like leadership roles, as well as sales. They often have good verbal abilities and can talk people into doing things their way. Examples: Lawyer, Manager, Salesperson, and Journalist.

Survey

Your interests are helpful in determining what jobs you may find appealing for your future career. To help you understand how your interests are aligned to careers, you will take a career interest assessment.

Career interest assessments help people determine their careers by asking them questions related to their interests and then ranking them on a scale to see what careers align based on their highest scores. You are going to take a career interest survey in MyCareerShines to determine how your interests align to your career choices. Your results will match the six Holland Codes and the 16 National Career Clusters.

Now that you have identified your interests, you will research some careers in those areas you think may suit you in the future. Under “Assessment Results” select any of your Career Pathways to see a list of occupations that match your interests.

You develop skills all the time. Take a look at this list. What skills have you picked up in the following situations?

• At school
• With friends and family
• While having fun
• At work
• Playing sports
• Exploring hobbies
• Doing your chores
• Completing volunteer work

There are two different types of skills: BASIC and WORKPLACE.

Basic skills often build on each other, raising you to the next level and preparing you for professional success. The skills you build during your school years will become the building blocks of your work foundation.

Basic

Basic skills are the building blocks that help you succeed in your career. These may include reading comprehension and active listening.

Workplace

Workplace skills are the general skills that help you succeed in your career. These may include digital literacy, interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage resources.

Transferable Skills

Many skills you use today will be important when you start your career. These are called transferable skills.

Transferable skills can be broken down into five categories:

Communication

What do a police officer and a real estate agent have in common? Both need to be effective communicators. Listening to others and expressing their ideas are important aspects of their jobs.

• speaking effectively
• writing clearly
• listening attentively
• expressing ideas
• leading group discussion

Research and Planning

Think of an architect and a teacher. Could you imagine an architect constructing a building without a blueprint or a teacher giving a lesson without a plan? Research and planning are important skills in both of these professions.

• identifying problems
• imagining alternatives
• identifying resources
• gathering information
• solving problems

Human Relations

What do a professional athlete and a surgeon have in common? Both provide support for others while sharing credit and cooperating with a team.

• expressing feelings
• providing support for others
• motivating
• sharing credit
• cooperating

Organization, Management and Leadership

What do firefighters and librarians have in common? Both need to coordinate tasks and handle details.

• introducing new ideas
• handling details
• coordinating tasks
• managing groups
• delegating responsibility

Work Survival

Even though these two jobs seem vastly different, astronauts and waiters both need to manage time wisely and cooperate with others.

• implementing decisions
• cooperating
• enforcing policies
• being punctual
• managing time