Holland Types

John Holland's theory of career development suggests that people seek work environments that fit their personality. He suggests that there are 6 different personality types that are listed below. Most people have 2 or possibly 3 different types that describe them best. Types that are closer together in the diagram below are more similar than types that are farther apart.



The above RIASEC career development theory represents the copyrighted work of Dr. John Holland and PAR, his publisher. Contact Career Services if you would like to take the Strong Interest Inventory or other career planning tools based on his research.
Sources: Harmon, L.W., Hansen, J.C., Borgen, F.H., &Hammer, A.L. (1994). Strong Interest Inventory Applications and Technical Guide. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press. Luzzo, D.A. (2000) Career Counseling of College Students: An Emperical Guide to Strategies That Work.Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association. Hirsh, S.K. (1995). Strong Interest Inventory Resource: Interpretations, Applications, Workshop Materials. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

	Realistic	Investigative



Conventional			Artistic



	Enterprising	Social

Career Services	Columbia State Community College
Career Services Jones Student Center P.O. Box 1315 Columbia, TN 38402-1315	Phone: 931.540-2573 Fax: 931.540-2577 E-mail: careerservices@columbiastate.edu