1. The Six Holland Occupational Themes
Center for Career and Experiential Education
First Floor Roosevelt Hall
uri.edu/career

2. The Six Holland Occupational Themes
The six themes are: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional
A person will usually identify with three codes strongly
Represented with first letter of code name
You can usually see yourself in all of themes, somewhat
After age 25, the letters should stay the same, but the order of them might change
The verification process in the following screens will allow you to rate yourself for best fit on each theme compared to your results from the O*NET Interest Profiler

3. Realistic: The Doers
Love to work with their hands, tools, machinery, computer networks
Rugged, practical, athletic, mechanical, adventurous, self-reliant
Enjoy fixing, repairing, building, working outdoors
Like physical risks
Prefer concrete rather than abstract problems
Present oriented, thing oriented

4. Realistic Work Environments
Places where they can produce tangible results
Things that they can see and touch
Situations calling for minimal interaction with others
Where casual dress is allowed
Organizations structured with clearly drawn lines of authority

5. Realistic Quiz What kind of car do they drive?
Trucks, SUV, Jeep, 4WD
What would be their ideal vacation?
Camping, attending sports event, fishing, golfing, wilderness, survival, hiking, adventure trip
What motivates them?
Hands-on, tangible results
What would they buy?
Boats, campers, sports equipment, power tools, ESPN magazine, adventure books

6. Investigative: The Thinkers
Like to gather information, uncover new facts, interpret data
Curious, abstract thinkers, rational, critical, intellectual, introverted, insightful, persistent
Love to explore learning
Strong scientific or mathematic orientation
Competent in analysis, writing, problem solving, research
Very task-oriented
Express themselves by using their minds
Enjoy mental challenges
Solve problems by thinking

7. Investigative Work Environment
Unstructured work environments that allow freedom in work styles
Where they can work alone most of the time
Research labs, universities, computer-related industries, scientific foundations, medical facilities
Where they can continue to learn and uncover new data

8. Investigative Quiz What would they drive?
Bicycle, Volvo, “hybrid,” Honda, Volt
What would be their ideal vacation?
Space camp, fossil dig, science museum, African safari, visit ruins, historical places (Europe)
What motivates them?
Curiosity, learning, knowledge
What would they buy?
Telescopes, computers, books, puzzles, electronic equipment, science fiction or mystery novels

9. Artistic: The Creators
Enjoy music, art, drama, anything cultural
Enjoy self-expression
Independent and highly creative
Creativity is expressed in many ways… ideas, writing, appreciating or creating arts, performing, counseling, developing programs, etc.
Impulsive, non-conforming, sensitive, emotional, visionary, introspective, imaginative
Enjoy beauty, variety, and what is unusual
Solve problems by doing something new

10. Artistic Work Environment
Unstructured, flexible settings that allow self-expression
Where they can work on their own
Where they can teach skills
Where they can bring creativity into their work
Theaters, concert halls, advertising, public relations, museums, libraries, education, etc.

11. Artistic Quiz What kind of car do they drive?
VW Bug, PT Cruiser, Mini Cooper, Convertible
What would be their ideal vacation?
NYC to see theatre, Venice to see art, dance/acting workshop, lessons in something creative
What motivates them?
Self-expression
What would they buy?
Art objects, music CDs, colorful things, decorations, theatre tickets

12. Social: The Helpers
Like to work with people, often in groups, to help inform, train, teach, nurture, help, develop, cure
Like to arrange positive relationships – create harmony
Deep concern for people and excellent interpersonal skills
Humanistic, cooperative, supportive, tactful, friendly, outgoing
Solve problems by discussing feelings with others

13. Social Work Environment
Unstructured settings where they can get to know others
Where they can feel like they make a difference
Where they can work with others
Social services, non-profit, schools, human resources, mental health fields, health care, community-based jobs

14. Social Quiz What car would they drive?
Mini-van, SUV, Suburban, station wagon, Volvo
Where would be their ideal vacation?
Cruise with friends/family, beach house vacation, Disney World, family reunion, Habitat for Humanity
What motivates them?
Helping others
What would they buy?
Charity event tickets, food to entertain others, People magazine, self-help books, anything at a fund-raiser

15. Enterprising: The Leaders
Enjoy working with others to persuade, sell, lead, manage
Lead others towards some organizational goal or economic gain
Self-confident, sociable, ambitious, energetic, verbal, assertive, optimistic, competitive
Prefer social tasks – can’t stay at a task for too long
Like to lead groups, give speeches, manage people and projects

16. Enterprising Work Environment
Like careers in businesses and large organizations
Where they can work with others
Where they can live thoroughly in their environments and have variety
Positions of leadership, power, status
Own a business

17. Enterprising Quiz What kind of car do they drive?
Lexus, BMW, Cadillac, Lincoln, high-end SUV
What is their ideal vacation?
Luxury cruise, spa retreat, week of golf, Hamptons or Cape Cod, skiing in winter
What motivates them?
Persuading others, making a deal
What do they buy?
Nice cars, good clothes, country club memberships, the latest equipment, bestsellers, Wall Street Journal

18. Conventional: The Organizers
Like activities requiring attention to detail, organization, accuracy, data systems, filing systems
Enjoy mathematics and data management
Practical, organized, systematic, accurate, dependable, conscientious, efficient, quite
Like to organize others
Don’t mind being managed
Live in orderliness
Solve problems by organizing them

19. Conventional Work Environment
Prefer support service roles
Like to know the structure of the organization
Well organized chain of command
Where they can be around others and by self
Where they can be given exact instructions on a project
Large corporations, business offices, accounting firms
Where they can organize things and people

20. Conventional Quiz What kind of car do they drive?
Buick, Honda, Saturn, fuel efficient cars
What is their ideal vacation?
Historical cities, knitting workshop, pre-programmed tour, same cabin each year
What motivates them?
Organizing and bring things together
What do they buy?
Hobby collections, how-to books, file cabinets and shelves

21. Occupational Themes Wrap-Up
Questions?
What have you learned about yourself?
What do you need in a career to make sure it is in line with your interests?
What careers will you research as a result? Which majors will you look into?