One of the main challenges students (and many other individuals for that matter) face when making career related decisions is the ability, or inability, to identify one’s own skills and interests. Different personality types are often paired with specific strengths, weaknesses and interests.
Please take a few moments to read through the brief summary of each of the 6 Holland Personality types, keeping in mind that you will most likely find that you are a combination of 2 or more categories. Once you have a better idea of what categories seem most like you, we will then be able to identify specific skills and interests that come with that. This will no doubt spark conversations regarding various occupations and/or post-graduate programs that best suit you.
What personality type are you?
| Realistic | Investigative | |
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| Conventional | Artistic | |
| Enterprising | Social | |
HOLLAND THEORY
According to psychologist John Holland, individuals within society typically fall within six different personality types. This theory can be summarized in six statements:
- It is common for personalities to be made up of some combination of the six types:
Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.
- Individuals of similar personality types working together create a work environment that reflects their own personality type – “Birds of a feather…” For example, when Artistic people are working together, they create a work environment that rewards creative thinking and behavior, resulting in an Artistic environment.
- Just as there are six personality types, there are six basic types of work environments:
Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional.
- It is natural for an individual to search for environments where their personality types will flourish, allowing them to use their skills and abilities, along with expressing their personal values and attitudes. For example, social types search for social environments; conventional types look for conventional environments and so on.
- Individuals who choose to work in an environment similar to their personality type are more likely to be successful and satisfied.
Personality Type + Complementary Environment = Success & Satisfaction
For example, Artistic individuals are more likely to be successful and satisfied if they choose a job that has an Artistic environment , such as choosing to be an art teacher in a visual arts school; an environment dominated by Artistic type people where creative abilities and expression are highly valued.
- How you operate and feel at work depends to a large extent on your workplace (or school) environment. By working with individuals who have a similar personality type to you, you will be much more likely to do many of the things they can do, and you will feel most comfortable with them.
Realistic (Doer)
Doers like working with machines and often with their hands to build things. They are skilled in their mechanical know-how and/or stamina to work outdoors, as well as having the ability to operate machinery. They are often practical, love nature, and are good problem solvers. They like working with things and tools.
Key Skills
Using and operating tools, equipment and machinery, designing, building, repairing, maintaining, working manually, measuring, working in detail, driving, moving, caring for animals, working with plants
Relevant Occupations
| Architect | Electrician | Carpenter | Physiotherapist |
| Horticulturist | Engineer | Mechanic | Chef |
| Park ranger | Pharmacist | Firefighter | Police officer |
‘Realistic’ areas of study at Mount A
Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Commerce, Computer Science, English, Geography and Environment (GENS), Mathematics, Physics, Psychology
Investigative (Thinker)
Thinkers enjoy exploring ideas and analyzing data. They are skilled in math and science. Inquisitive, precise and sometimes abstract thinking are some characteristics of their personality. They generally like working with data and ideas.
Key Skills
Thinking analytically and logically, computing, communicating by writing and speaking, designing, formulating, calculating, diagnosing, experimenting, investigating
Relevant Occupations
| Audiologist | Architect | Pharmacist |
| Chemist | Physician | Surgical Technician |
| Computer Programmer | Geoscientist | Veterinarian |
‘Investigative’ areas of study at Mount A
Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, English, Geography and Environment (GENS), Mathematics, Physics, Psychology
Artistic (Creator)
Creators like to create, sing, dance, or write and prefer an unstructured work environment. They are skilled in music, art, and/or communications. They value aesthetic qualities and are more likely to relate by indirect means through their particular specialty. They like working with ideas.
Key Skills
Expressing artistically or physically, communicating by speaking, in writing and singing, performing, designing, presenting, planning, composing, playing, dancing
Relevant Occupations
| Commercial Artist | Book Editor | Animator | Art/Music Therapy |
| Musician | Graphic Designer | Author | Floral Designer |
| Reporter | Singer | Actor |
‘Artistic’ areas of study at Mount A
Anthropology, Canadian Studies, Classics, Commerce, Computer Science, Drama, Economics, English, Fine Arts, Geography and Environment (GENS), History, International Relations, Languages, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies
Social (Helper)
Helpers enjoy helping others and the community. They are skilled in teaching, counseling and getting along with others, as well as being sensitive to others' needs. They are cheerful, scholarly, and verbally oriented. They like working in social settings, therefore working with people is a must!
Key Skills
Communicating by writing and speaking, caring and supporting, training, meeting, greeting, assisting, teaching, informing, interviewing, coaching
Relevant Occupations
| Teacher | Police officer | Customer Services Representative |
| Nurse | Social worker | Physician |
| Counselor | Salesperson | Mental Health Counselor |
‘Social’ areas of study
Anthropology, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Canadian Studies, Classics, Commerce, Computer Science, Economics, English, Fine Arts, Geography and Environment (GENS), History, International Relations, Languages, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies
Enterprising (Persuader)
Persuaders like to persuade and influence others in areas of business or politics. They perceive themselves as popular, self-confident, and social. They are skilled in public speaking and leadership. Enterprising types like working with people and data.
Key Skills
Selling, promoting and persuading, developing ideas, public speaking, managing, organizing, leading and captaining, computing, planning
Relevant Occupations
| Real Estate Agent |
Business Owner | Cosmetologist |
| Lawyer | Marketing | Music or sports promoter |
| Politician | Executive/Manager | Child Care Worker |
‘Enterprising’ areas of study at Mount A
Anthropology, Canadian Studies, Classics, Commerce, Computer Science, Drama, Economics, English, Geography and Environment (GENS), History, International Relations, Languages, Mathematics, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies
Organizers enjoy an organized and detail-oriented workplace. They are often skilled in finance, mathematics, and keyboarding, and perceive themselves as conforming, organized, and practical. They like working with data.
Key Skills
Computing and keyboarding, recording and keeping records, paying attention to detail, meeting and greeting, doing calculations, handling money, organizing, arranging, working independently
Relevant Occupations
| Computer operator |
Bank teller | Cashier |
| Office worker | Administrative Assistant | Accountant |
| Librarian | Insurance underwriter | Medical Records Technician |
‘Conventional’ areas of study
Commerce (accounting), Computer Science, Economics, English, Mathematics