Have you ever wondered what career your personality is actually telling you to do?
There have been several studies that categorize and characterize us to recommend what we’re best suited for. John L. Holland’s study on personality-environment, for example, looks at how individuals, based on their personalities, select their work environment.
For Holland, a career serves to express and reflect one’s interests, motivation, knowledge, personality, and ability. Holland summarizes his theory as jobs representing a way of life—an environment rather than a set of isolated work functions.
Holland categorizes personality into six subtypes: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. He notes that every person possesses a combination of the aforementioned personality types. Additionally, work environments can also be classified with this theory. In essence, a person looks for satisfaction, stability, and other factors at work, making that person more comfortable in a work environment that reflects his personality.
The Realistic Personality
Holland defines a Realistic person as someone who is hardheaded, quiet, reserved, and highly-trained. They are generally mechanical and scientific, meaning they are very good with their hands. Holland believes that this personality type will find their calling in the field of mechanics.
The Investigative Personality
An Investigative personality is defined as someone who is analytical, curious, and scientific. This person is knowledgeable, mechanical, precise, and thorough. These individuals excel in science-based careers.
The Artistic Personality
Artistic personalities are very imaginative, creative, and introspective. They are original, expressive, and unconventional in their thoughts and typically don’t like to conform to societal norms. These personalities will excel in an arts-based career path.
The Social Personality
Social personality types are friendly, persuasive, and trusting. They are good leaders who are receptive and enthusiastic, and very much people-oriented. These people are best-suited for human relations or interactive careers.
The Enterprising Personality
An Enterprising personality is very ambitious, extroverted, and practical. They are very energetic, good leaders, and confident. Leadership roles suit them well.
The Conventional Personality
A Conventional personality is someone who is conscientious and will conform. This person is practical, precise, and speculative or methodical. This personality will be content within a business or mathematical-based setting.
Holland’s studies on personality have spawned several career aptitude tests that allow you to learn about your personality types and what potential careers you will find most satisfying and in coherence with your personality. His studies have been able to help answer the question, “Who are you?” and have made finding career paths and aspirations much easier.
So, if you’re not sure what you “want to do when you grow up,” self-reflect and do a bit of research on the careers in your RIASEC. You never know what could be a match!