Self-Directed Search -- John Holland’s Occupational Themes

Directions: Read each occupational theme and rank each REASIC code letter below from 1 - 6 where you feel is more like you.
Theme Tasks
Technical, skilled, work with
hands, tools, machines.
Realistic Building, camping, fixing,
____ maintenance, sports. (e.g.,
airplane mechanic,
electrician, photoengraver)
Business Contact—leading,
selling, persuading,
Enterprising marketing, managing,
____ promoting. (e.g., salesperson,
economics)
Artistic Creative, self-expressive,
singing, advertising. (e.g.,
____ author, playwright, drama
coach)
Social Service—helping
people, giving directions,
Social hosting, healing. (e.g.,
____ teacher, speech therapist,
counselor, trainer)
Scientific—curious about
things, people, organizations.
Investigative (e.g., anthropologist,
____ aeronautical design engineer,
botanist)
Business Detail—organizing,
planning, highly ordered
Conventional activities. (e.g., bank
____ examiner, court reporter,
auditor, tax expert)
Write each letter of your top 3 REASIC code from left-to-right.
Problems
Prefer concrete rather than
abstract problems.
Prefer ambitious social tasks.
Problems that can be dealt
with through self-expression
and artistic media.
Solve problems through
discussions or rearranging
relationships.
Prefer to think through
problems rather than act them
out.
Most efficient at well-defined
tasks. Work with data,
detailed and follow through
on other’s instructions.
Co-Workers
Prefer dealing with things
rather than people. Rugged,
hearty, practical, physically
strong.
Enjoy competitive
activities—have facility with
words. Adventuresome,
ambitious, domineering,
energetic.
Like to work in free
environments—imaginative,
impulsive, intuitive,
independent, introspective.
Like to discuss philosophical
questions—concerned with
the welfare of others.
Cheerful, popular,
cooperative, friendly,
generous.
Enjoy solving scientific
puzzles—confident of
scholarly and intellectual
abilities—analytical, curious,
reserved, independent.
Like life to be orderly and go
according to plan.
Conforming, conscientious,
efficient, practical, calm, and
persistent.
Rewards
Life appears relatively simple
and straightforward. Worker
can see the result of labors.
Sense of achievement that
comes from making things
happen and being where there
is action.
Opportunities for creating
new things and being around
other creative people.
Good feeling that comes from
helping others solve their
problems or improve
themselves.
Freedom and opportunity to
satisfy an inner curiosity.
Freedom to try out new ways.
Seeing offices and
organizations run smoothly
and understanding how the
individual contributed.

The 3 letter code is an estimate of your SDS Occupational Theme.

**On the next page you can find your code along with most popular careers for your type.

Adapted from ‘Making Vocational Choices’ 1973 by John L. Holland

 Occupational Themes by Majors and Job

Realistic Enterprising Artistic Social Investigative Conventional

Majors Majors Majors Majors Majors Majors
Geography Business Art (all options) Anthropology Biology Business
Geology (all options) Business Political Science (Medicine) *Accounting
Kinesiology Economics Marketing Psychology Chemistry *Finance
Physics Consumer Affairs Interior Design Sociology (Hard Sciences) *Mgmt. Info. Systems
Health Science/Nursing History Fashion Design Urban Studies Health Sciences *Office Systems
*Physical Therapy Political Science English Chicano Studies Social Sciences *Real Estate
*Environmental Occupational Journalism Journalism Women’s Studies Physics Counseling
Health Radio-TV-Film Speech Family Environ. Sci. Economics Computer Technology
Computer Science (hardware) Sociology Communication Asian Amer. Studies History Health Care
Engineering Speech Languages Linguistics Psychology Teaching
Earth Science Communication Religious Studies Deaf Studies Computer Science Word Processing
Leisure Studies & Recreation Urban Studies Philosophy Child Development Engineering
(Veterinary Science) Law Music (Education) Math
(Agriculture) Ethnic Studies Radio-TV-Film (Teaching) Religious Studies
(Forestry) Theatre (Social Work) Philosophy
Job Job Job Job Job Job
Computer Technician Advertising Executive Actor/Actress Counselor Chemist Bank Teller
Electrical Engineer Buyer Architect Deaf Interpreter Economist Bookkeeper
Geologist Judge Artist Dietician Historian Cashier
Laboratory Technician Lawyer Composer Homemaker Mathematician Cert. Public Accountant
Meteorologist Newscaster Dancer Nurse Meteorologist IRS Agent
Surgeon Politician Economist Physical Therapist Physician Receptionist
Professional Athlete Public Relations Film Editor Preschool Teacher Psychologist Ticket Agent
Veterinarian Real Estate Agent Musician Probation Officer Veterinarian Financial Analyst
Sales Manage Reporter Psychologist Computer Programmer Payroll Specialist
Stockbroker Writer Principal
Urban Planner Interior Designer Social Worker

Write down 3 possible majors and 3 Jobs for further exploration.

Major: ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

Job: ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

Adapted from ‘Making Vocational Choices’ 1973 by John L. Holland