1. STRONG INTEREST INVENTORY

2. Go by the sign that you think you have the most in common with – where would you fit in the best?
Discuss what brought you to that group
What did you all have in common with one another?

3. Strong Background Most researched interest scale
High validity and reliability
First developed by E.K. Strong
Decided similar interests bring people together in
work settings
Holland expanded on the theory
“People tend to surround themselves with others who share interests, competencies, and outlook on world. Thus, where people congregate… reflects the type they are.”
Gave every person and every job a Holland Code - RIASEC

4. 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
Measures interests, not abilities
Not used to tell you what you should be, but to be used as a spring board for ideas
Purpose is to identify themes and patterns

5. Normative Sample
Compared against 67,000 people who took the assessment
All at least 21 years old, satisfied with their work, been in occupation for 3 years, do typical work tasks
Random sample with race and ethnicity
Measures how similar you are to them – how well you would fit in with them
Profiled with women only

6. General Occupational Themes (GOTs)
Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional
Usually identify with three codes strongly
Represented with first letter of code name
Can see self in all
After age 25, the letters should stay the same, but the order of them might change
Will rate yourself first and then see how you scored

7. 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

8. Realistic: Work Environments
Places where they can produce tangible results
Things that 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

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

10. 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

11. Investigative: Work Environments
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

12. Investigative Quiz What would they drive?
Bicycle, Volvo, “hybrid,” Honda
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

13. 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

14. Artistic: Work Environments
Unstructured, flexible settings that allow self- expression
Where they can work on their own
Where they can teach skills
Where they can incorporate creativity in their work
Theaters, concert halls, advertising, PR, museums, libraries, education, etc.

15. Artistic Quiz What kind of car do they drive?
Bug, PT Cruiser, Mini Copper, Convertible
What would be their ideal vacation?
NYC to see shows, Venice to see art, dance/acting workshop
What motivates them?
Self-expression
What would they buy?
Art objects, music CDs, colorful things, decorations, theater tickets

16. 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

17. 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, medical services

18. Social Quiz What car would they drive? Mini-van, SUV, Suburban
Where would be their ideal vacation?
Cruise with friends/family, beach house vacation, Disney World, family reunion
What motivates them?
Helping others
What would they buy?
Charity event tickets, food to entertain others, People magazine, self-help books

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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
What motivates them?
Persuading others
What do they buy?
Nice cars, good clothes, country club memberships, the latest equipment, bestsellers, Wall Street Journal

22. 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 organized others
Don’t mind being managed
Live in orderliness
Solve problems by organizing it

23. 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

24. 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

25. Check out your results...

26. General Occupational Themes (GOTS)
Usually two to three letters show up most
Who are you are in whole life (24/7)
Show what you self-rated yourself
Bars represent the strength of theme in you compared to your same sex groups
Very high = top 10% of people with this interest, more interest than almost all
High = 15% above moderate interest group, more interest than most
Moderate = 50% of population are here, about as much interest as most
Little = less interest than most
Very Little = less interest than almost all

27. Basic Interests Scales
25 scales that measure interest in particular activities
Tell what you like to do
Same rating as before: vh, h, m, l, vl
How do these interests play out in your life?
How is your life enriched by these activities?
Which would you want to pursue professionally?

28. Occupational Scales
Scales that measure your similarity to women employed in 122 different occupations
Who are you like in your day-to-day activities
Only scale that incorporates both what you answered like and dislike
Anything above 40 means that you are very similar with both your likes and dislikes with people in those professions
You would fit in with them; like to do similar things when working

29. Occupational Scales
Each job has a code – by averaging people’s codes who are in that field
Some codes change slightly depending on work jobs
What do all of the job listed have in common with one another?
What do they have in common with you?
What picture do they paint?
What themes do you see?
Where do these themes fit into your life?

30. Personal Style Scales
Five scales that assess personal preferences regarding work style, learning, leading, risk taking, and team orientation
Also important when considering and examining career professions

31. Normal Ranges Strong Like 11 0 – 27 Like 24 5 – 43
Mean Bounds
Strong Like – 27
Like – 43
Indifferent – 45
Dislike – 39
Strongly Dislike – 56

32. Strong Wrap Up Questions? Think about what you learned?
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?