Unit IV: Career Development

Module 13 Career Pathways

WORK/OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS AND INTERESTS

Psychologist John Holland classified jobs/careers/work environments into six: Realistic,

Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. There are no pure classifications, though.
A person's job function may combine ESA (Enterprising, Social and Artistic) or ISC (Investigative, Social
and Conventional) or any two or three other possible combinations.

Holland also classifies personalities or interests into the same six types: Realistic,
Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. Again, there are no pure interest types. A
person may also be ESA (Enterprising-Social-Artistic) or ISC (Investigative-Social-Conventional) or any
two or three possible combinations.

If our interest patterns are ESA (i.e., Enterprising, Social and Artistic) we will be attracted to a
job/career in which the work activities are ESA.
Look at the letters listed with each party group and their corresponding descriptions below. Think
about how much you would or would not enjoy working in the types of situations discussed and how
the characteristics mentioned relate to your own personality and interests.
As a further note, these themes can be combined to produce several hundred job personality
types, each of which has something different to say about the match between an individual and an
occupation. For example, a person who is primarily “realistic” (R) might also be “artistic” (A) and
“enterprising” (E) and would probably find a job doing public relations layouts for the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources satisfying. Consider your examination of these areas, here, as a
good first step in further career and self-understanding.

R = Realistic.
People high on the realistic theme tend to enjoy creating things with their hands and working with
tools and objects rather than working with people and ideas. Realistic people tend to be rugged and
practical, enjoying work outdoors.
Example of occupations that are primarily realistic in nature are: forester, industrial arts teacher,
radio operator, auto engineer, mechanical engineer, mining engineer, vocational agriculture teacher,
civil engineer, industrial engineering technician, aircraft mechanic, mechanical engineer technician,
fish and game warden, surveyor, dental technician, architectural draftsman, electrician, jeweler,
powerhouse repairman, tool and die maker, machinist, mechanic, stone cutter, locksmith, nuclear
reactor technician, tree surgeon, piano tuner, typesetter, air conditioning engineer, ship pilot,
instrument mechanic, motion picture projectionist, carpenter, tailor, machine repairer.

I = Investigative.
Occupations high in investigative characteristics tend to focus on scientific activities. People high on
this theme would often rather work alone than with other people and are usually seen as idea-
oriented and creative in scientific areas such as research. They are analytical, abstract, intellectual and
task-oriented.
Some specific investigative jobs are: economist, internist, physician, anthropologist, astronomer,
pathologist, physicist, chemist, production planner, medical lab assistant, tv repairer, biologist,
osteopath, chiropractor, math teacher, natural science teacher, optometrist, psychiatrist,
psychologist, medical technologist, bacteriologist, physiologist, research analyst, computer analyst,
programmer, pharmacist, actuary, quality control technician, computer operator, geologist,
mathematician/statistician, surgeon, meteorologist, agronomist, animal scientist, botanist, zoologist,
horticulturist, natural scientist, oceanographer, biochemist, veterinarian, geographer, x-ray
technician, administrator, dentist, tool designer, chemical lab technician, engineers such as aircraft,
chemical, electrical, metallurgical, radio/tv technician, engineering aide, weather observer.

A = Artistic.
People who score high on the artistic theme are artistically inclined, and usually describe themselves
as independent, imaginative, creative, and unconventional, They enjoy situations that allow them
freedom to be original, prefer to work in an unstructured environment, and are usually dissatisfied if
they are forced to follow many rules and procedures. They enjoy activities related to language, art,
music, drama, writing, etc.
Some primarily artistic jobs include drama coach, language teacher, journalist-reporter, drama
teacher, foreign language interpreter, philosopher, art teacher, literature teacher, music teacher,
musician, orchestra conductor, advertising manager, entertainer, public relations person, fashion
model, writer, editor, radio program writer, dramatist, actor/actress, designer, interior decorator,
critic, fashion illustrator, furniture designer, jewelry designer, furrier, garment designer, decorator,
architect, artist, photographer, photograph retoucher, photolithographer (printer), music arranger,
composer.

S = Social.
People high on the social theme are usually seen by others as sociable, popular, and responsible. They
prefer social interaction and social presence. They are often interested in the problems and concerns
of others, and like activities that allow them to teach, inform, train, develop, cure and help others.
Jobs that involve these personality aspects include education, teaching, social welfare, human
development, counseling, health professions (medicine, nursing, etc.), social service, compensation
advising, etc. In addition, dorm director, interviewer, employment representative, funeral director,
chamber of commerce executive, employee benefits approver, food service manager, claim adjuster,
production expediter, health and welfare coordinator, educational administrator, training director,
historian, environmental health engineer, home service rep., community recreation administrator,
business agent, extension agent, physical education teacher, building superintendent, therapist,
political scientist, sociologist, social and group worker, personnel director, food and drug inspector,
teacher, minister, librarian, foreign service officer, history teacher are in jobs in this interest area.

E = Enterprising.
Occupations that are primarily enterprising in nature usually involve situations where the person is in
a position of leading or convincing others to achieve team/organizational goals or economic gain.
People high on this theme are often seen as enthusiastic, dominant, impatient.
Some primarily enterprising jobs include those of sales and marketing field, banker, insurance
underwriter, real estate appraiser, florist, industrial engineer, contractor, warehouse manager,
salesperson-technical products, lawyer, judge, attorney, tv/radio announcer, branch manager,
director industrial relations, government official, insurance manager, managers such as restaurant/
office/ traffic/human resource/production, etc., salary and wage administrator, labor arbitrator,
systems analyst, director of compensation and benefits, securities salesperson, human resource
recruiter.

C = Conventional. High conventional people tend to prefer jobs where they are given firm structure
and know exactly what is expected of them. People who rank high on this theme often describe
themselves as conscientious, efficient, and calm. They enjoy activities that involve the precise,
ordered use of data such as keeping and filing records, organizing data, computing, printing, etc.
They enjoy words and numbers and systematic and structured jobs such as clerical, administrative,
time study analyst, business (commercial) teacher, finance expert, accountant, credit manager,
timekeeper, auto writing machine operator, bookkeeping machine operator, estimator, foreign trade
clerk, office worker, payroll clerk, accounting machine operator, personnel clerk, sales correspondent,
reservations agent, bookkeeper, cashier, secretary, medical secretary, library assistant, data
processing worker, mail clerk, personnel secretary, proofreader, and the like.

CHOOSE YOUR CAREER FIRST – NOT YOUR COLLEGE Approximately 80 percent of college freshmen
have not declared a college major. Fifty percent of those who have declared a major will switch during
college. Seventy percent of all college students will change their major.
These numbers prove that students are not being turned into who they are before making major
decisions – a costly mistake. Most parents who have saved for college plan on their child graduating in
four years. What are the chances that a student who changes majors over and over or transfers
schools will graduate in four years? Simply put: It’s not possible.

Your College Roadmap

The typical student embarks on the college search by first choosing the college they love, then a
major, and finally choosing a corresponding career path. Students should instead embark on their
journey with the end in mind -a future career. Instead of focusing on the four years spent in college,
turn your attention to the 40+ years you will work after graduation.
The college roadmap should be tailored to the individual student. Students should first ask
themselves, “What am I wired to do?” While there’s not one simple answer to this question,
conscientiously dialing into one’s personality allows one to easily identify what they are not wired to
do. From there they can consult sites like the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ Occupational Outlook
Handbook and O*Net Online to categorize job prospects accordingly. Students should hone in on
career possibilities that satisfy their individual needs and interests. In that regard, the Birkman
Assessment tool can be helpful since it identifies 77 personality scores. When personality data
corresponds to a student’s academic profile, the results can be profound.
The Back-Up Plan
Once potential careers are established, students should back up to the majors that feed to these
careers and research colleges that are respected in those fields. Sometimes it’s one major-as is the
case with teaching or engineering-but often there are several options that feed into a given career.
On the college-bound journey, career needs to be at the forefront of each student’s choice of major.
Choosing career first is actually an investment in college savings, since knowing upfront where your
degree path will take you can save a lot of time and money.

MODULE 14:
INSIGHTS INTO ONE’S PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

YOUR PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT: YOU’RE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO CLARIFY YOUR LIFE GOALS
AND ASPIRATIONS What’s your life mission? It’s not an easy question to answer, but an important
one. You can talk about your aspirations and goals all day, but when you write them down, they
become, well, more real. It’s a starting point to living the life you want. When you write a personal
mission statement, you’re clarifying what you want to accomplish and how, and committing to it.
Businesses and nonprofit organizations develop mission statements for the same reason.

What is a personal mission statement?

Most students, and adults, don’t realize the importance of writing their personal mission statements.
It’s more than just your goals. Your mission statement will help you sort out your priorities and how
you want to live your life. It may include short-term and long-term goals, or life-long aspirations. It
becomes a guide and provides direction, which comes from you, not someone else.
There’s no right or wrong way to approach your personal mission statement, or what it should
include. Everyone’s is going to be different. What’s important is to write it down. Topics your personal
mission statement may include:
• Education
• Career
• Personal attributes, such as honesty, loyalty and dedication
• Family and personal relationships
• How you want to live your life
• Sports
• Faith and spirituality
• Community service

Sample Personal Mission Statements:

• Benjamin Franklin opted for a list of concepts and then wrote his thoughts about each to form
his mission statement. “Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. Silence: Speak not
but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. Order: Let all your things have
their places; let each part of your business have its time. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you
ought; perform without fail what you resolve...”
• Gandhi wrote his mission statement using active phrases such as “I will” or “I shall. “...I shall
not bear ill will toward anyone. I shall not submit to injustice from anyone. I shall conquer untruth by
truth...”