Introduction to the Newly Revised Strong Interest Inventory® Tool For Career Assessment

Strong Theory What people do is a reflection of their interests People of similar interests will be satisfied in those occupations given their values, knowledge, and abilities are also the same The Strong measures interests, not abilities Empirical data is based on research, experiment for observation vs. theoretical data that is based on assumptions, predictions. Results are reported according to gender because research has shown that males and females give different Holland codes to the same careers. For instance, an athletic trainer is categorized as a social career by females but as a realistic career by males.

Accountants 21 years old Satisfied in their work 3 years in occupation Typical work tasks Note: Average for norm groups – 35 years

The Hexagon of General Occupational Themes (GOTs) Realistic Investigative Conventional Artistic Enterprising Social

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Strong Profile, page 2

Realistic GOT: Realistic Investigative Artistic Conventional Enterprising Social

Realistic: The Doers Likes to work with their hands, tools, machinery, computer networks Rugged, practical, physically strong Enjoy fixing, building, repairing, working outdoors Described as practical, persistent, adventurous, sensible, self-reliant Motivated to use hands-on skills to produce tangible results Interests: Motivated to use hands-on skills to produce tangible results Likes to work with their hands, tools, machinery, computer networks Rugged, practical, physically strong Described as practical, persistent, adventurous, sensible, self-reliant Buys boats, campers, hiking equipment Workplace Manufacturing or industrial firms with tangible products Construction, mining and energy industries Transportation fields (air, trucking, local transit, etc.) The outdoors; small, rural communities Situations permitting casual dress Sample Job titles: Forester Carpenter Veterinarian Radiological Technologist

Realistic Work Environments Manufacturing or industrial firms with tangible products Construction, mining and energy industries Transportation fields (air, trucking, local transit, etc.) The outdoors; small, rural communities Situations calling for minimal interaction with others Situations permitting casual dress Organizations structured with clearly drawn lines of authority (armed forces, law enforcement, etc.)

Realistic Job Titles Forester Law Enforcement Officer Carpenter Engineer Veterinarian Computer & IS Manager Radiologic Technologist

Realistic Theme What kind of car do they drive? Chevy Truck, 4-wheel drive SUV, Jeep What do they spend their money on? Plants for garden, home repairs, sporting equipment, boats, campers, power tools, GPS, guns What would be there ideal vacation? Camping, attend sporting event, fishing, golf school, outward bound, hiking Appalachian Trail What motivates them? Hands-on, tangible results What do they read? Sailing/boating magazines, western and adventure novels, garden and home repair booklets, fantasy football league magazines, ESPN magazine, Sports Illustrated

GOT: Investigative Investigative Realistic Artistic Conventional Enterprising Social

Investigative: The Thinkers Likes to gather information, uncover new facts/theories, and interpret data Potentially competent in science, math, analysis, writing and problem solving Described as curious, independent, reserved, rational, non-conforming Motivated to probe questions of intellectual curiosity Interests: Motivated to probe questions of intellectual curiosity Likes to gather information, uncover new facts/theories, and interpret data Potentially competent in science, math, analysis, writing and problem solving Described as curious, independent, reserved, rational, non-conforming Buys telescopes, computers, electronic equipment, sailboats, etc. Workplace Research and design laboratories Universities and colleges Medical facilities Scientific foundations and think tanks Job titles Chemist R&D Manager Veterinarian Respiratory Therapist Science Teacher

Investigative – Work Environments Unstructured organizations that allow freedom in work styles Research and design laboratories and firms Universities and colleges Medical facilities Computer-related industries Scientific foundations and think tanks

Investigative Job Titles Chemist Software Developer R&D Manager Veterinarian University Professor Respiratory Therapist Physician Science Teacher

Investigative Theme What kind of car do they drive? Volvo, “Hybrid” What do they spend their money on? Computer, books, telescopes, electronic equipment, puzzles What would be their ideal vacation? Archeological dig, space camp, science museum, African safari, Smithsonian, scuba diving, visit ruins What motivates them? Curiosity, learning, knowledge What do they read? Scientific journals, real-life crime novels, mystery novels, Consumer Reports, science fiction novels, biographies

GOT: Artistic Artistic Realistic Investigative Conventional Enterprising Social

Artistic: The Creators Likes art, music, drama, etc. Express their interests in leisure as well as vocational activities Enjoy writing, creating art, appreciating art, acting/performing Described as impulsive, non-conforming & independent Motivated to express themselves through their work Interests: Motivated to express themselves through their work Express their interests in leisure as well as vocational activities Described as impulsive, non-conforming & independent Buys art objects, books, instruments Workplace Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression Institutions that teach artistic skills (universities, music & dance schools, art institutes, etc.) Museums, libraries, galleries Job titles Librarian Urban & Regional Planner Broadcast Journalist Medical Illustrator Public Relations Director Musician

Artistic - Work Environments Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression Artistic studios (preferably their own) Theaters and concert halls Institutions that teach artistic skills (universities, music & dance schools, art institutes, etc.) Museums, libraries, galleries Advertising, public relations, graphic design and interior-design firms

Artistic Job Titles Artist Architect Librarian Attorney Urban & Regional Planner Broadcast Journalist Medical Illustrator Public Relations Director Musician

Artistic Theme What kind of car do they drive? Volkswagen Bug, PT Cruiser, Cargo Van What do they spend their money on? Art supplies, art collection, music CD’s, books, musical instruments, colorful things, wine tasting, opera What would be their ideal vacation? NYC to see Broadway shows, Venice to see art, art/acting/dance workshop, visit museums/galleries What motivates them? Self- expression What do they read? Pulitzer prize novels, artistic technique books, historical novels about artists or artistic places, book reviews, Rolling Stone magazine

Social GOT: Social Realistic Investigative Conventional Artistic Enterprising

Social: The Helpers Likes to work with people, often in groups Enjoy helping, nurturing, and teaching, especially young people Solve problems through discussions of feelings and interactions with others May enjoy working with people through leading, directing and persuading. Described as humanistic, idealistic, cooperative Motivated to help and empower Interests Motivated to help and empower Likes to work with people, often in groups Enjoy helping, nurturing, and teaching, especially young people Solve problems through discussions of feelings and interactions with others May enjoy working with people through leading, directing and persuading. Described as humanistic, idealistic, cooperative Spends money on social events and charity Workplace Medical service and healthcare facilities Mental health clinics Job titles Parks & Recreation Manager School Counselor School Administrator Registered Nurse Elementary School Teacher Dietitian

Social – Work Environments Social service agencies Schools, colleges, educational institutions Religious organizations Human resources departments Medical service and healthcare facilities Mental health clinics

Social Job Titles Parks & Recreation Manager Social Worker Athletic Trainer School Counselor School Administrator Registered Nurse Teacher Dietitian Community Service Director

Social Theme What kind of car do they drive? Mini-van, SUV, sedan to transport others What do they spend their money on? Big Screen TV, Social Events, Charity, Pool Table,Bar What would be their ideal vacation? Habitat for Humanity, Cruise with their friends/family, family reunion, beach house vacation, Disneyland What motivates them? Helping others What do they read? Oprah magazine, People magazine, Nora Roberts novels, Living section of newspaper

GOT: Enterprising Enterprising Realistic Investigative Conventional Artistic Enterprising Social

Enterprising:The Persuaders Enjoy working with other people and leading them toward organizational goals and/or economic success Likes to lead groups, give speeches, manage people and projects, persuade Seeks positions of leadership, power, status Described as persuasive, adventuresome, competitive, energetic, sociable, optimistic Motivated to persuade others of the merits of an idea or product Interests: Motivated to persuade others of the merits of an idea or product Enjoy working with other people and leading them toward organizational goals and/or economic success Seeks positions of leadership, power, status Likes to lead groups, give speeches, manage people and projects, persuade Described as persuasive, adventuresome, competitive, energetic, sociable, optimistic Buys country club memberships, sporting event tickets, nice cars Workplace: Industrial and manufacturing firms Seats of power and finance (large corporations, brokerage firms, executive offices, etc.) Retail and wholesale firms Job titles: Investments Manager Restaurant Manager Realtor Operations Manager Buyer Marketing Manager Human Resources Manager

Enterprising – Work Environments Industrial and manufacturing firms Government and political organizations Seats of power and finance (large corporations, brokerage firms, executive offices, etc.) Retail and wholesale firms Fund-raising organizations Independently owned businesses

Enterprising Job Titles Investments Manager Restaurant Manager Realtor Operations Manager Buyer Marketing Manager Human Resources Manager Chef Elected Public Official

Enterprising Theme What kind of car do they drive? Lexus, Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, Lincoln, high-end SUV What do they spend their money on? Sporting event tickets, nice cars, country club memberships, latest electronic equipment What is their ideal vacation? Luxury cruise, spa retreat, African safari, week of golf, week in the the Hamptons or Cape Cod, skiing in Lake Tahoe, anywhere they can network What motivates them? Persuading others What do they read? Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Town and Country magazine, Travel and Leisure magazine, Fortune, Donald Trumps biography, Steven Covey books

GOT: Conventional Conventional Realistic Investigative Artistic Enterprising Social

Conventional:The Organizers Likes activities requiring attention to detail, organization, accuracy and data systems Enjoys mathematics and data management activities Described as practical, organized, systematic, accurate, conscientious Motivated to organize information and bring order to data and things Interests Motivated to organize information and bring order to data and things Likes activities requiring attention to detail, organization, accuracy and data systems. Enjoys mathematics and data management activities Described as practical, organized, systematic, accurate, conscientious Buys hobby collections (stamps, antiques, etc), home improvement supplies, games Workplace Large corporations Business offices Accounting firms Job titles Paralegal Financial Analyst Accountant Nursing Home Administrator Food Services Manager Business Education Teacher

Conventional – Work Environments Large corporations Business offices Financial institutions (banks, credit companies, etc.) Accounting firms Quality control and inspection departments Structured organizations with well-ordered chains of command

Conventional Job Titles Banker Computer Systems Analyst Paralegal Actuary Financial Analyst Accountant Nursing Home Administrator Food Services Manager Business Education Teacher

Conventional Theme What kind of car do they drive? Buick Oldsmobile, Honda Accord, Saturn, fuel efficient What do they spend their money on? File cabinets/shelves, home improvement projects, hobby collections (stamps, antiques), games, investment clubs, PDA’s, OfficeMax What would be their ideal vacation? Habitat for Humanity, site-seeing in historical city, knitting workshop, pre-programmed tour, same beach house every year, volunteer at food bank What motivates them? Organizing and bringing order to data/things What do they read? Real Simple magazine, Martha Stewart magazine, family themed books, “beach” novels, how-to & hobby books, investment magazines, Consumer Reports

The Hexagon of General Occupational Themes Realistic Investigative Conventional Artistic Enterprising Social

Strong Profile, page 9

General to Specific General Occupational Themes Basic Interest Scales The state in which you live Basic Interest Scales Your city or town Occupational Scales Your specific street address Personal Style Scales The way you decorate your home

Interpretive Comments Very high - More interest than almost all women/men High - More interest than most women/men Moderate - About as much interest as most women/men Little - Less interest than most women/men Very little - Less interest than almost all women/men

General Occupational Themes Look over all 6 Theme descriptors on the Strong Profile, p. 2 Underline any that seem like a good fit for you. Cross out any that don’t appeal to you. Confirm your top 3 theme codes in order of preference. Share with partner how your theme code is reflected in your current occupation.

Basic Interest Scale Questions How will your high and very high Basic Interest Scales be satisfied in the career you are considering? How will your top 5 Basic Scales be incorporated into either your career or personal life? How could your life be enriched by incorporating more of your top 5 Basic Interest Scales into your work, leisure, school and family?

Meaning of Occupational Scores 20 Likes and dislikes are mostly opposite of satisfied workers in that occupation; not a good match 20-29 Likes and dislikes are somewhat opposite of those of satisfied workers in that occupation; may not be good match 30-39 Shares some likes and some dislikes of satisfied workers in that occupation; may or may not be good match 49 Shares most of the likes and dislikes of satisfied workers in the occupation; may be a very good match

New Occupational Samples Administrative Assistant Chiropractor College Instructor Computer & IS Manager Computer Scientist Computer Systems Analyst Editor Engineering Technician ESL Instructor Financial Analyst Financial Manager Firefighter Geographer Network Administrator Operations Manager Production Worker Recreation Therapist Rehabilitation Counselor Retail Sales Representative Sales Manager Technical Sales Representative Technical Support Specialist Top Executive Urban & Regional Planner