Holland Types

John Holland developed a popular format for determining interests, which isincluded here. Holland's code comprises six personality types:

Realistic (R)
Investigative (I)
Artistic (A)
Social (S)
Enterprising (E)
Conventional (C)

Realistic (R)

Interests	Skills	Personality
work with machines	fix mechanical objects	mechanical
work outdoors	plant a garden	nature lover
work with hands	operate machinery	practical
build things	read a blueprint	problem solver

Investigative (I)

Interests	Skills	Personality
explore ideas	do science experiments	inquisitive
analyze data	solve math problems	precise
use computers	perform basic programming	abstract thinker
read science fiction	interpret formulas	independent

Artistic (A)

Interests	Skills	Personality
read fiction, plays	write stories	imaginative
work on crafts	design new things	innovative
act, sing, listen to music	play or compose music	creative
take photographs	sketch, draw, or paint	intuitive

Social (S)

Interests	Skills	Personality
help people	teach/train others	helpful
do volunteer work	plan activities	outgoing
play team sports	host an event	insightful
work in groups	lead meetings	friendly

Enterprising (E)

Interests	Skills	Personality
meet people	initiate projects	assertive
make decisions that affect others	sell or promote	persuasive
negotiate sales/deals	make speeches	enthusiastic
participate in political activities	convince others	persistent

Conventional (C)

Interests	Skills	Personality
work with numbers	keep accurate records	organized
be responsible for details	statistical work	mathematical
learn computer programs	operate computers	efficient
follow directions	write business letters	conscientious

Data, People, Things, and Ideas

A second way of looking at occupations is to measure them in terms of Data, People, Things, and Ideas.

Realistic people like working with Things in occupations such as chef, air traffic controllers, carpenters, and builders.

Investigative people like working with Data in occupations such as medical technician, computer programmer, engineering, andscience.

Artistic people like working with Ideas in occupations such as commercial artist, musician, and interior design.

Social people like working with People in occupations such as teaching, counseling, and care of elderly people.

Enterprising people like working with People and Data in occupations such as business leadership, marketing, entrepreneurship, and politics.

Conventional people like working with Data in such occupations as accounting, administrative assistance, and paralegal.

Top of Page

Back to Lesson 1

The content and opinions expressed on this Web page do not necessarily reflect the views of nor are
they endorsed by the University of Georgia or the University System of Georgia.

Home Page
Copyrigh©1999, Roger B Hill. Ph.D.
This page last updated on 06-Jun-2005