Wahlstrom/Williams: Learning Success, Third Edition, Media Edition Table of Contents InfoTrac Online Quiz Exercises Journal View Topics
 Wahlstrom/Williams: Learning Success, Third Edition, Media Edition - 12. Majors & Careers
 what interests and skills are you attracted to?
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John Holland, a psychologist at Johns Hopkins, divides career areas into six categories. Suppose there were videos of each of the types of careers. Read through the following choices. Which video would you prefer to watch?

Video 1: Objects, things, animals:

People in this video are shown working with tools, machines, objects, animals, or plants. They may work outdoors. They have mechanical or technical skills.

Video 2: Learning, Analyzing, Solving:

People in this video are shown analyzing and solving problems, learning, observing, discovering. They have good investigative skills.

Video 3: Innovating and Creating:

People in this video are shown being intuitive, creative, imaginative, and artistic. They like to operate in unstructured environments.

Video 4: Helping and Informing:

People in this video are shown training, developing, curing, enlightening. They like working with people and often have word skills.

Video 5: Influencing, performing, leading:

People in this video are shown persuading, performing, or managing people. They like working with people in achieving a goal.

Video 6: Data and details:

People in this video are shown executing tasks, following instructions, and working with numbers and facts. They like working with data.

Write down the number of the video that answers each question, using 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 to designate your choice:

a. Which video are you drawn to because it shows the group of people you would most enjoy being with?

b. Which second video are you drawn to because it shows the people you would next most enjoy being with?

c. Which video of the third rank are you drawn to because it shows people you would enjoy being with?

Review the following descriptions in the order you indicated above.

Video

Interpretation

Sample Occupations

1

Realistic: People in this video consider themselves "doers." They are practical, down to earth, mechanically inclined, action-oriented, interested in physical activity. Interests my be mechanical or scientific.

coach, computer graphics technician, farmer, fitness director, health and safety specialist, industrial arts teacher, jeweler, chef, navy officer, physical education teacher

2

Investigative: If you’re this type, you consider yourself a problem solver. You’re probably rational and analytical, valuing intellect and achievement. You’re thought oriented, rather than action oriented. You may not be very people-oriented, indeed may be a loner.

cattle breeder, college professor, computer programmer, engineer, environmentalist, flight engineer, physician, scientist, urban planner

3

Artistic: As might be expected, artistic people consider themselves creative. They also consider themselves independent, unconventional, and emotional, valuing self-expression and disliking structure. Careers are apt to be in visual or performing arts.

actor, architect, cartoonist, communications specialist, editor, illustrator, interior designer, jewelry designer, journalist, librarian, photographer, public relations person, sculptor

4

Social: Social people value helping others and consider themselves socially concerned and caring and understanding of other people. They are drawn to associating with others in close personal relationships.

career specialist, convention planner, counselor, insurance claims specialist, minister, nurse, teacher, travel agent, and yoga teacher

5

Enterprising: If you consider yourself adventurous, assertive, risk-taking, outgoing and persuasive you may be an enterprising type. Power and prestige are important to you, and you prefer leadership to supporting roles.

banker, city manager, FBI agent, lawyer, marketing specialist, politician, promoter, television announcer or producer

6

Conventional: Conventional types see themselves as enjoying routine, neatness, detail, and structure, as well as prestige and status. They are self-controlled and skilled at planning and organizing.

accountant, auditor, database manager, hospital administrator, indexer, information consultant, legal secretary, statistician

What did you learn about yourself. Of course, most people fit more than one category. That is why there are second and third choices.

You may want to discuss your results with a career counselor.

 

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Wahlstrom/Williams: Learning Success, Third Edition, Media Edition
Chapter 12. Majors & Careers
Copyright © 2002 by Wadsworth Publishing Company