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 (1919-2008), Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University.[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]
Contents
Background
<templatestyles src="Template:Quote_box/styles.css" />
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: Doers (Realistic)
People who are "independent, stable, persistent, genuine, practical, and thrifty […] no-nonsense, down-to-earth individuals […] physical, athletic, or mechanical." They prefer "things rather than ideas or people […] being outdoors, using tools, operating machines, interacting with animals, and working with their hands." They also value the "natural, concrete, and tangible."[13] Sample majors and careers include:
- Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineer (with Investigative)[14]
- Agriculture[15]
- Anthropology/Paleontology (with Investigative)[14]
- Architect (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Astronomy (with Investigative)[14]
- Carpenter (with Conventional and Investigative)[15]
- Chef (with Enterprising and Artistic)[15]
- Chemistry/Chemist (with Investigative and Conventional)[15]
- Computer engineering/Computer science/Information technology/Computer programmer (with Investigative and Conventional)[15][16]
- Dance (with Artistic)[14]
- Dentist (with Investigative and Social)[15]
- Engineer (with Investigative and Conventional)[15][16]
- Environmental science[14]
- Fashion design (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Fine Artist, Including Painter, Sculptor and Illustrator (with Artistic)[17]
- Firefighter (with Social and Enterprising)[15]
- Graphic designer (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Interior design(with Artistic)[14]
- Model (people) (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Musician (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Nurse (with Social, Conventional, and Investigative)[15][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 design/Web Development Specialist (with Artistic)[18]
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists(with Investigative)[15]
I: Thinkers (Investigative)
People who are "intellectual, introspective, […] inquisitive […] curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and logical." They prefer "tasks that are scholarly, scientific, technical, or medical [… and] activities that involve thought, observation, investigation, exploration, and discovery […] They like to solve problems, perform experiments, and conduct research."[13] Sample majors and careers include:
- Actuary(with Conventional and Enterprising)[15][16]
- Archivist/Librarian (with Social and Conventional)[15]
- Carpenter (with Conventional and Realistic)[15]
- Chemistry/Chemist (with Realistic and Conventional)[15][16]
- 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 (with Social and Enterprising)[15]
- Economics (with Conventional and social)[14]
- Engineer (with Realistic and Conventional)[15][16]
- Finance (with Enterprising and Conventional)[15][16]
- Lawyer (with Enterprising and Social)[14][15]
- Mathematician (with realistic)
- Nurse (with Realistic, Conventional, and Social)[15][16]
- Pharmacist (with Social and Conventional),[15]
- Physical therapy (with Social and Realistic)[15]
- Physician (Medical school/Medical research) (with Social)[15][16]
- Physics[16]
- Professor (all fields)[16]
- Psychology/Psychologist (with Social and Artistic)[15][16]
- Surgeon (with Realistic and Social)[15]
- Technical writer (with Artistic and Conventional)[15]
- Veterinarian (with Realistic and Social)[15]
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists(with Realistic)[15]
A: Creators (Artistic)
People who "are creative, intuitive, sensitive, articulate […], expressive, unstructured, original, nonconforming, and innovative [… who] rely on feelings, imagination […], inspiration [and…who] are spontaneous and open-minded." They prefer to "work with ideas, abstractions, and concepts." They also enjoy work that is "literary, verbal, visual, and aesthetic" and excel in "art, music, dance, drawing, painting, sculpting, drafting, writing, drama, communicating, design, fashion."[13][16] Sample majors and careers include:
- Architect (with Realistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Broadcast journalism (with Enterprising)[15]
- Clergy (with Social and Enterprising)[15]
- Chef (with Enterprising and Realistic)[15]
- Counselor (with Investigative and Social)[15][16]
- Dance (with Realistic)[14]
- Fashion design (with Realistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Fine Artist, Including Painter, Sculptor and Illustrator (with Realistic)[17]
- Graphic designer (with Enterprising and Realistic)[15]
- Interior design(with Realistic)[14]
- Model (people) (with Realistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Musician (with Enterprising and Realistic)[15]
- Park Naturalist (with Social and Realistic)[15]
- 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]
- Trainer (business) (with Social and Conventional)[15]
- Web design/Web Development Specialist (with Realistic)[18]
S: Helpers (Social)
People who "are kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, empathetic, tactful, and friendly." They prefer tasks that involve "socializing, helping others, and teaching […] teamwork, social interaction, relationship building [… and] humanitarian, educational, philanthropic, interpersonal, and service-oriented."[13] Sample majors and careers include:
- Archivist/Librarian (with Conventional and Investigative)[15]
- Clergy (with Artistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Community Organizer[16]
- Counselor (with Investigative and Artistic)[15][16]
- Customer service (with Conventional and Enterprising)[15]
- Dentist (with Investigative and Realistic)[15]
- Dietitian (with Investigative and Enterprising)[15]
- Economics (with Investigative and Conventional)[14]
- Education (Teacher/Counselor/Administration)
- Educational administration (with Enterprising and Conventional)[15]
- Firefighter (with Realistic and Enterprising)[15]
- Fitness Trainer and Aerobics Teacher (with Enterprising and Realistic)[15]
- Human Resources (with Conventional and Enterprising)[15]
- Lawyer (with Investigative and Enterprising)[14][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]
- Physician (Medical school/Medical research) (with Investigative)[15][16]
- Professor (with Enterprising and Investigative)[19]
- Psychology/Psychologist (with Investigative and Artistic)[15][16]
- 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)[19][15][16]
- Trainer (business) (with Artistic and Conventional)[15]
- Veterinarian (with Investigative and Realistic)[15]
E: Persuaders (Enterprising)
People who "are adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident […], optimistic […], dominant, persuasive, and motivational." They prefer work that involves "leadership, business, politics, public speaking […], being in charge, taking risks, debating, and competing."[13] Sample majors and careers include:
- Actuary(with Investigative and Conventional)[15][16]
- Architect (with Artistic and Realistic)[15]
- Business[16]
- Buyer[16]
- Chef(with Realistic and Artistic)[15]
- Clergy (with Artistic and Social)[15]
- Customer service (with Conventional and Social)[15]
- Dietitian (with Social and Investigative)[15]
- Educational administration (with Social and Conventional)[15]
- Entrepreneur[16]
- Fashion design (with Artistic and Realistic)[15]
- Finance (with Conventional and Investigative)[15][16]
- 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)[14][15]
- Management/Management Consultant[16]
- Market Research Analyst[16]
- Model (people) (with Artistic and Realistic)[15]
- Musician (with Artistic and Realistic)[15]
- Photographer (with Artistic and Realistic)[15]
- Public relations (with Enterprising)[15]
- Real Estate (with Conventional)[15][16]
C: Organizers (Conventional)
People who are "conscientious and conservative […] logical, efficient, orderly […], organized […], thorough, and detail-oriented." They are individuals who "value precision and accuracy." They excel in "practical tasks, quantitative measurements, and structured environments" and who "follow the rules." They prefer work that involves "accounting, statistics […], mathematics, numerical activities, and office settings.[13] Sample majors and careers include:
- Accounting/Tax advisor[16]
- Actuary(with Investigative and Enterprising)[15][16]
- Archivist/Librarian (with Social and Investigative)[15]
- 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 Social)[14]
- Educational administration (with Social and Enterprising)[15]
- Engineer (with Investigative and Realistic)[15][16]
- Finance (with Enterprising and Investigative)[15][16]
- Human Resources (with Enterprising and Social)[15]
- Math teacher[16]
- Nurse (with Realistic, Social, and Investigative)[15][16]
- Pharmacist (with Social and Investigative),[15]
- Real Estate (with Enterprising)[15][16]
- Technical writer (with Artistic and Investigative)[15]
- Trainer (business) (with Social and Artistic)[15]
See also
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "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.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Athanasou, James. "Obituary: John L. Holland 1919-2008" Australian Journal of Career Development, September 22, 2009.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 15.000 15.001 15.002 15.003 15.004 15.005 15.006 15.007 15.008 15.009 15.010 15.011 15.012 15.013 15.014 15.015 15.016 15.017 15.018 15.019 15.020 15.021 15.022 15.023 15.024 15.025 15.026 15.027 15.028 15.029 15.030 15.031 15.032 15.033 15.034 15.035 15.036 15.037 15.038 15.039 15.040 15.041 15.042 15.043 15.044 15.045 15.046 15.047 15.048 15.049 15.050 15.051 15.052 15.053 15.054 15.055 15.056 15.057 15.058 15.059 15.060 15.061 15.062 15.063 15.064 15.065 15.066 15.067 15.068 15.069 15.070 15.071 15.072 15.073 15.074 15.075 15.076 15.077 15.078 15.079 15.080 15.081 15.082 15.083 15.084 15.085 15.086 15.087 15.088 15.089 15.090 15.091 15.092 15.093 15.094 15.095 15.096 15.097 15.098 15.099 15.100 15.101 15.102 15.103 15.104 15.105 15.106 15.107 15.108 15.109 15.110 15.111 15.112 15.113 15.114 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 16.11 16.12 16.13 16.14 16.15 16.16 16.17 16.18 16.19 16.20 16.21 16.22 16.23 16.24 16.25 16.26 16.27 16.28 16.29 16.30 16.31 16.32 16.33 16.34 16.35 16.36 16.37 16.38 16.39 16.40 16.41 16.42 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Further reading
- Holland, John L. Making vocational choices: a theory of careers. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1973.
External links
Tests: (free)
- 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
Majors and Careers: (free)
- General:
- Two Year College:
- Four Year College: