My Enterprising Strengths

Your interest inventory profile shows one General Enterprising Score and eight Specific Enterprising Scores.

This exploration module is designed for you to think more about your higher scores in the Enterprising area and
how you might use them to build your future.

For the nine Enterprising scores, check those that are 3.5 or more, signifying a substantial level of interest in
those domains.

If you have no scores of 3.5 or more, circle those scales that are 3.0 or more and then focus on those scales in
the following sections.

GENERAL ENTERPRISING INTEREST

Management

Marketing and Advertising

Sales

Entrepreneurship

Investing

Public Speaking

Law

Politics

Now focus in the next nine pages on those scales that you have checked [or circled] and explore the meaning of
those strengths in your life.

Using My Strengths to Build My Future

Exploring College Majors and Careers
© 2009 Fred H. Borgen
General Enterprising
outspoken Major Clusters Building on General
Interests
people-oriented Enterprising Interests:

persuasive
This area includes activities in the
poised Weight
areas of sales, management,
pushy 7 28. Management
leadership, and persuasion. People
risk-taking 6 26. Human Resources
with interests in this area may feel
self-assured 6 18. Pre-Law
comfortable taking leadership roles 4 21.Cultural/Ethnic/Women’s Studies
and persuading others to their point of My personality strengths in the 3 29. Marketing and Advertising
view and may pursue law or politics Enterprising area: 3 27. Accounting/Finance/Economics
2 13. History
This is one of the six broad RIASEC
themes. 1 19. Literature/Comparative Studies
1 23. Education/Teaching
1 22. Communication/Journalism

Things I’d like to do at work: This is my score on Enterprising

Lead others
interest: ______

Persuade others

Present a vision for the
1-2 Very Low
organization
2-3 Low

Negotiate prices
3-3.4 Average

Raise funds
3.5-4.4 High
Because this is a broad, general part
Evaluate companies to acquire
4.5-5 Very High
of school and career, there are many
Make quick judgments about
diverse items in the checklists that people This is my score on Enterprising
follow.
Lobby for changes in laws confidence: ______

Check those that seem to apply to Things I’d like to learn about:
1-2 Very Low
you, looking for the pattern of what
Corporate liability
2-3 Low
they say about your strengths for
Personnel law
3-3.4 Average
building your future.
Persuasive speaking
3.5-4.4 High

Finance
4.5-5 Very High
I am often:
Winning friends, but especially

assertive influencing them These are majors I am considering

bold
Venture capital that build on my Enterprising

charming interests and confidence:

clear-thinking Places I’d like to work:

clever
Bank

commanding
Political campaign

confident
Real estate office

convincing
Property development These are careers I am considering

dominant
MBA program that build on my Enterprising

engaging
Law firm interests and confidence:

fashionable
Marketing department

immodest
Stock exchange

influential

innovative

insightful

inventive

outgoing
 Management: Things I’d like to do at work: Major Clusters Building on
A Specific Enterprising
Manage a construction crew Management Interests:
Interest
Run an elite golf course

Operate a nuclear power plant Weight
This area includes the responsibilities
Be a CEO
and tasks necessary to lead and
Run a franchised restaurant 9 28. Management
operate a business or organization,
Lead the restructuring of a large 4 26. Human Resources
such as a hotel, store, or school or organization 4 27. Accounting/Finance/Economics
agency.
Be in charge of a casino 1 29. Marketing and Advertising

Administer a nursing home

Create the management structure
Following are characteristics that fit This is my score on Management
for a ski lodge
many people with high Management interest: ______

Produce a movie
interest. Check those that fit you.

1-2 Very Low

2-3 Low
What patterns and themes do you see
in your checks that help you identify Things I’d like to learn about:
3-3.4 Average
strengths for building your future?
Delegating responsibilities
3.5-4.4 High

Executive evaluation
4.5-5 Very High

Business administration
I am often:
University administration This is my score on Management

bold
Raising money to expand an confidence: ______

clear-thinking organization

commanding
Directing a United Way
1-2 Very Low

confident campaign
2-3 Low

dominant
Athletic administration
3-3.4 Average

fashionable
Human Resource management
3.5-4.4 High

influential
Television production
4.5-5 Very High

outspoken

persuasive These are majors I am considering
that build on my Management

photogenic
interests and confidence:

poised Places I’d like to work:

risk-taking
Corporate president’s suite

sociable
School superintendant’s office

spirited
Bank

talkative
Office of Management and

warm Budget These are careers I am considering

well-dressed
President’s office for a that build on my Management
community college interests and confidence:

well-informed

Sales management
My personality strengths in the
Foundation
Management area:
Marketing and Advertising:
A Specific Enterprising
Interest
This area involves both creative work
and personal contacts necessary to
market and advertise products and
services.
Following are characteristics that fit
many people with high Marketing and
Advertising interest. Check those that
fit you.
Things I’d like to do at work:

Prepare print ads

Visit with businesses about how
to promote themselves

Produce television commercials

Create the launch of a new
product

Develop brochures to promote a
non-profit organization

Create a logo and a brand for a
product
Major Clusters Building on
Marketing and Advertising
Interests:
Weight
8 29. Marketing and Advertising
5 28. Management
2 26. Human Resources
1 27. Accounting/Finance/Economics
1 14. Arts and Design
This is my score on Marketing and
Advertising interest: ______

Things I’d like to learn about:
1-2 Very Low

What patterns and themes do you see
2-3 Low
in your checks that help you identify
Marketing in the 21st Century

Graphic animation
3-3.4 Average
strengths for building your future?

Ethics for professionals
3.5-4.4 High

Consumer needs and wants
4.5-5 Very High

Conspicuous consumption
I am often: This is my score on Marketing and

Market research

artistic Advertising confidence: ______

Consumer decision-making

charming
Using the internet to promote
1-2 Very Low

coolheaded products
2-3 Low

eloquent
Ad creation in varied media

3-3.4 Average

influential

3.5-4.4 High

innovative

inventive
4.5-5 Very High

persuasive
Places I’d like to work: These are majors I am considering

poetic that build on my Marketing and

poised
Television

Newspapers Advertising interests and

sensation-seeking confidence:

theatrical
Athletics department

well-dressed
Luxury goods store

Corporate public relations

Advertising agency

University recruiting office
My personality strengths in the These are careers I am considering
Marketing and Advertising area: that build on my Marketing and
Advertising interests and
confidence:
 Sales: Things I’d like to do at work: Major Clusters Building on Sales
A Specific Enterprising
Call on customers Interests:
Interest
Get paid by sales commissions

Be a sales manager Weight
This area involves demonstrating,
Go to conventions to see new 5 28. Management
promoting, and selling products or products 2 29. Marketing and Advertising
services. It can include activities such
Show houses to prospects 2 26. Human Resources
as telephone and door-to-door
Develop land for construction 2 27. Accounting/Finance/Economics
customer contacts.
Set sales goals
This is my score on Sales interest:
Things I’d like to learn about:
______
Following are characteristics that fit
My product
many people with high Sales interest.
Delivery systems for goods
1-2 Very Low
Check those that fit you.
Persuasive techniques
2-3 Low

The domestic economy
3-3.4 Average
What patterns and themes do you see
Accounting and finance
3.5-4.4 High
in your checks that help you identify
The psychology of selling
4.5-5 Very High
strengths for building your future?
This is my score on Sales confidence:
Places I’d like to work:
______
I am often:
Real estate broker

attractive
Corporate sales
1-2 Very Low

charming
University foundation
2-3 Low

convincing
Newspaper
3-3.4 Average

fashionable
Television station
3.5-4.4 High

immodest
Bank
4.5-5 Very High

influential
Stock broker

inventive
Shoe store These are majors I am considering

persuasive
Pharmaceutical sales that build on my Sales interests and

pushy confidence:

reckless

risk-taking

stylish

well-dressed
These are careers I am considering
My personality strengths in the that build on my Sales interests and
Sales area: confidence:
 Entrepreneurship: Things I’d like to do at work: Major Clusters Building on
A Specific Enterprising
Recognize a market niche Entrepreneurship Interests:
Interest
Persuade others to follow my
vision Weight
This area includes the activities
Persist in the face of failure 6 28. Management
involved in starting, financing,
Work harder than others 4 27. Accounting/Finance/Economics
managing, and operating a business or
Act quickly when necessary
1 26. Human Resources
office.
Risk family assets

Evaluate risks and benefits 1 29. Marketing and Advertising

Change direction when
Following are characteristics that fit necessary

Develop a business plan This is my score on Entrepreneurship
many people with high
Entrepreneurship interest. Check
Invest now for profits later interest: ______
those that fit you.
Things I’d like to learn about:
1-2 Very Low

Corporate finance
2-3 Low
What patterns and themes do you see
Tax law
3-3.4 Average
in your checks that help you identify
Due diligence
3.5-4.4 High
strengths for building your future?
Psychological risk-taking
4.5-5 Very High

Venture capital

Working in the political
I am often: These are majors I am considering
environment

attractive that build on my Entrepreneurship

Management skills

bold interests:

clear-thinking

clever Places I’d like to work:

commanding
Bank loan development

confident
Wall Street IPO management

convincing
Silicon Valley

coolheaded
Start-up tech company These are careers I am considering

dominant
My own office that build on my Entrepreneurship

forceful
University research park interests:

mathematical
Venture capital firm

outspoken
Investment bank

persuasive

risk-taking

sensation-seeking

well-dressed

My personality strengths in the

Entrepreneurship area:
 Investing: Things I’d like to do at work: Major Clusters Building on
A Specific Enterprising
Track the stock market Investing Interests:
Interest
Do careful research on
investment areas Weight
This area involves activities in the
Operate with courage and 4 27. Accounting/Finance/Economics
area of investing and finance. resolve 3 28. Management

Buy low, sell high 1 9. Mathematics

Trade commodities such as gold
Following are characteristics that fit
many people with high Investing and soy beans
interest. Check those that fit you.
Study the economies of India This is my score on Investing
and China interest: ______

Take financial risks
What patterns and themes do you see
1-2 Very Low
in your checks that help you identify
2-3 Low
strengths for building your future? Things I’d like to learn about:
3-3.4 Average

Historical trends in the markets

3.5-4.4 High

Global finance
I am often:
4.5-5 Very High

IPOs

analytical
Broker’s commissions

commanding
Mutual funds These are majors I am considering

coolheaded
Tax law that build on my Investing interests:

logical
Evaluating trustworthiness of

mathematical partners

methodical
When to hold ‘em and when to

persuasive fold ‘em

quantitative
The meaning of “A Rising Tide

risk-taking Lifts All Boats” These are careers I am considering

sensation-seeking
Warren Buffet’s thought that build on my Investing interests:

tireless processes

My personality strengths in the

Investing area: Places I’d like to work:

NASDAQ

Trading pits

Venture capitalist

Mutual fund

University finance department

Endowment fund

Financial planner’s office
 Public Speaking: Things I’d like to do at work: Major Clusters Building on Public
A Specific Enterprising
Lead meetings of colleagues Speaking Interests:
Interest
Speak at professional
associations Weight
This area involves activities related to
Stand up to management 7 18. Pre-Law
speaking and presenting information
Intervene with difficult people 6 21.Cultural/Ethnic/Women’s Studies
or arguments in front of an audience.
Deliver university lectures 6 13. History

Coach high school debate 6 22. Communication/Journalism

Be a professor 5 26. Human Resources
Following are characteristics that fit

Lead a spiritual congregation 5 23. Education/Teaching
many people with high interest in
Public Speaking. Check those that fit 5 19. Literature/Comparative Studies
you. 4 20. Languages/Linguistics
Things I’d like to learn about: 1 28. Management
What patterns and themes do you see
in your checks that help you identify
Toastmasters 1 14. Arts and Design
strengths for building your future?
Presenting to community fund 1 10. Social and Behavioral Sciences
raisers 1 25. Counseling

Power Point presentations 1 24. Social Work
I am often:
Overcoming speech anxiety

assertive
Persuasion techniques This is my score on Public Speaking

bold
Political campaigning interest: ______

bright

clever
1-2 Very Low

commanding
2-3 Low

confident Places I’d like to work:
3-3.4 Average

convincing
University faculty
3.5-4.4 High

direct
Public relations department
4.5-5 Very High

dominant
Chamber of Commerce

eloquent
U. S. Congress This is my score on Public Speaking

engaging
Television broadcasting confidence: ______

expressive
High school speech department

Law firm
1-2 Very Low

forceful

frank
2-3 Low

influential
3-3.4 Average

outgoing
3.5-4.4 High

outspoken
4.5-5 Very High

people-oriented
These are majors I am considering

persuasive
that build on my Public Speaking

poetic interests and confidence:

poised

pushy

talkative

theatrical

thriving
These are careers I am considering
that build on my Public Speaking
My personality strengths in the
interests and confidence:
Public Speaking area:
 Law: Things I’d like to do at work: Major Clusters Building on Law
A Specific Enterprising
Protect intellectual property Interests:
Interest
Consult with an angry spouse

Persuade a seller to lower the Weight
price of some property 7 18. Pre-Law
This area involves the research and
Research court precedents for 1 21.Cultural/Ethnic/Women’s Studies
oral arguments involved in legal disputes 1 13. History
prosecuting or defending civil or
Argue a case before the State
criminal cases and the activities of Supreme Court
serving as judge for such cases.
Draw up a contract

Incorporate a professional’s This is my score on Law interest:
practice ______
Following are characteristics that fit

File divorce papers
many people with high interest in
1-2 Very Low
Law. Check those that fit you.
Work with the Patent Office

2-3 Low

Consult with someone setting up
a business
3-3.4 Average

3.5-4.4 High
What patterns and themes do you see
in your checks that help you identify
4.5-5 Very High
strengths for building your future? Things I’d like to learn about:

Tort law This is my score on Law confidence:

The court system ______
I am often:
How judges are appointed

aggressive
1-2 Very Low

Family counseling

analytical
2-3 Low

U.S. Patent Office

argumentative
Criminal defense
3-3.4 Average

clever
Patent law
3.5-4.4 High

commanding
Company mergers
4.5-5 Very High

convincing
Cyber law

coolheaded These are majors I am considering
that build on my Law interests and

direct
confidence:

dominant
Places I’d like to work:

eloquent

Family law center

forceful

General law practice

frank

Prosecutor’s office

insightful

Bank legal department These are careers I am considering

intelligent

CIA that build on my Law interests and

outspoken

Patent office of a university confidence:

persuasive

Legal counsel for a corporation

pushy

State Attorney General’s office

quick-tempered

State ombudsman’s office

rational

Large real estate firm

resourceful

Law department of a high tech

scholarly
company

temperamental

Law school
My personality strengths in the Law
area:
 Politics: Things I’d like to do at work or in Major Clusters Building on Politics
A Specific Enterprising the community: Interests:
Interest
Run a political campaign

Work for community change Weight

Present a cause to the city 8 18. Pre-Law
This area involves activities in council 5 21.Cultural/Ethnic/Women’s Studies
running for political office, assisting
Visit with the mayor about a 3 13. History
in or managing the duties of an neighborhood’s needs 2 22. Communication/Journalism
elected official, or working on the
Assist a member of Congress
1 19. Literature/Comparative Studies
political campaigns of other
Volunteer to work for a political
1 20. Languages/Linguistics
candidates. campaign
1 26. Human Resources

Win an election for a political
office 1 23. Education/Teaching
Following are characteristics that fit
Create a vision for global 1 28. Management
many people with high interest in change
Politics. Check those that fit you.
Lobbying with legislators
This is my score on Politics interest:

Teach government in high
______
What patterns and themes do you see school
in your checks that help you identify
1-2 Very Low
strengths for building your future?
2-3 Low
Things I’d like to learn about:

3-3.4 Average

Community economic

3.5-4.4 High
I am often: development in the Peace Corps

4.5-5 Very High

analytical
Political Science

argumentative
European Union This is my score on Politics

commanding
Socialist countries
confidence: ______

convincing
Global initiatives

direct
State and federal separation of
1-2 Very Low

dominant powers
2-3 Low

expressive
Non-profit advocacy with law
3-3.4 Average

forceful makers
3.5-4.4 High

frank
4.5-5 Very High

outspoken

persuasive Places I’d like to work: These are majors I am considering

poised
State legislature that build on my Politics interests

pushy
University Political Science and confidence:

theatrical department

Mayor’s Office
My personality strengths in the
State Treasurer’s office

County Board of Supervisors
Politics area:

Planning and Zoning
These are careers I am considering
Commission that build on my Politics interests

Lobbyist and confidence:

White House

Congress