To get started on our self exploration process, I will introduce you to Holland's theory of types or themes and I will have you identify two themes that seem to fit you best. We will be referring to the Holland themes throughout the course.

John Holland developed a theory describing six work environments and six vocational personalities. Holland believed that career choice is an extension of a person's personality. People express themselves, their interests and values, through their work choices and experience. Holland assigns both people and work environments into specific types or themes.

Holland six type or themes are: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. The shorthand way to remember the types are R,I,A,S,E,C (RIA-SEC).The themes are arranged in a purposeful order on a hexagon (refer to the Party Exercise in your handout packet.). The "R" Realistic theme is more similar to the "I" Investigative theme then the "S" Social theme.Themes next to one another are more similar then themes opposite (for example, C is opposite of A)

Read about the six work environments and personality themes below and decide which two are you most attracted to.


Realistic Doers

The Realistic (R) environment makes physical demands on the person. Such work settings have tools, machines, or animals that the individual manipulates. In such a setting, individuals are required to have technical skills that allow them to do such things as fix machines, repair electronic problems, herd animals.

Ability to work with things is more important then ability to interact with other people. Construction sites, factories, and auto garages are examples of environments that provide machinery or other things for Realistc people to master. Some Realistic environments require a great deal of physical agility or strength such as roofing, painting or pipe fitting.

Realistic people are likely to enjoy using tools or machines in their hobbies or work. They will like to take courses that are very practical and teach the use of mechanical or physical skills. Realistic people often approach problems in a practical or problem-solving manner. They are likely to value money, power, and status, while placing a lesser value on human relationships.


Investigative Problem Solvers

The Investigative (I) environment is one in which people search for solutions to problems through mathematical and scientific interests. In such an environment, people are encouraged to use complex and abstract thinking to solve problems creatively.

Examples of settings that offer the opportunity to use analytical thinking skills are computer programmer, physician, mathematician, biologist, science teacher, veterinarian, and research manager. These jobs require that people use their intellect to work independently to solve problems. They are not required or encouraged to use human relation skills to solve problems, nor are they likely to use machines.

The Investigative person is likely to enjoy puzzles and challenges that require the use of the intellect. Such a person is apt to enjoy learning and is likely to enjoy courses in math, physics, chemistry, biology, geology and other sciences.They are not likely to enjoy supervising other people or dealing directly with personal problems, but may enjoy searching for solutions to psychological problems.

 


Artistic Creators

The Artistic (A) environment is one that is free and open, encouraging creativity and personal expression. Such an environment offers much freedom in developing products and answers.

Examples of occupations in which people can use creative and unconventional ways to express themselves are musician, fine artist, and freelance writer. Such settings allow people to dress the way they wish, keep few appointments, and structure their own time.These work environments encourage personal and emotional expression rather than logical expression. If tools are used, they are used as a method to express oneself (a paintbrush for example) rather than as a means to complete a task (an electric drill for example).

The Artistic person likes the opportunity to express himself or herself in a free and unsystematic way. They are likely to want to improve their ability in language, art, music or writing. Originality and creativity are particularly important. A pure Artistic type would dislike technical writing and prefer writing fiction or poetry.


Social Helpers

The Social (S) environment is one that encourages people to be flexible and understanding of each other, where people can work with others through helping with personal problems, career problems, teaching others, affecting others spiritually, and being socially responsible.

The Social environment emphasizes human values such as being idealistic, kind, friendly and generous. These ideals most commonly exist in the education, social service, and mental health professions. Examples of occupations are elementary school teacher, special education teacher,marriage counselor, counseling psychologist, speech therapist, school principal, nurse, and social worker.

The Social person is interested in helping people through teaching, helping with personal or vocational problems, or providing personal services. Social people enjoy solving problems through discussion and teamwork. Social people tend to avoid working with machines. They seek out environments where they can use verbal skills and social skills.


Enterprising Persuaders

The Enterprising (E) environment is one where people manage and persuade others in order to attain organizational or personal goals. These are situations where finance and economic issues are of prime importance and risks may be taken to achieve rewards. In such environments, people tend to be self-confident, sociable, and assertive. It's an environment where promotion and power are important and persuasion and selling take place.

Examples of Enterprising environments are sales work, buying, business management, restaurant management, politics, real estate, the stock market, insurance, and lobbying. All of these environments provide the opportunity for power, wealth and status.

Enterprising people may appear more self-confident than they feel. Some Enterprising people may be quite open about their goal to accomplish wealth, whereas others may be very reluctant to admit to a goal they see as socially inappropriate. Like Social types, they may be very verbal. Unlike Social types, Enterprising people will value convincing and persuading others rather than helping others.


Conventional Organizers

Organization and planning best describe the Conventional (C) environment. Much of the Conventional environment is an office environment where one needs to keep records, file papers, copy materials, and organize reports. In addition to written material, the Conventional environment includes mathematical materials such as bookkeeping and accounting records.

Word processing, calculating, and copy machines are the type of equipment found in a Conventional environment. Competencies that are needed to work well in the Conventional environment are clerical skills, ability to organize, dependability, and ability to follow directions.

The Conventional person is one who values money, being dependable, and the ability to follow rules and orders. These people prefer being in control of situations and having clear and specific requests.