RIASEC as a Common Career Language
RIASEC Provides a Vocabulary for Career Development
John Holland refined the RIASEC themes to help identify effective worker-fit. The RIASEC helps describes both the "worker" and the "work". For individuals, the RIASEC can describe personal interests and preferences. For jobs and tasks, the RIASEC can describe the style of work that is needed. Thus, the RIASEC helps at all levels of career management. These themes provide a vocabulary for how a person sees themselves now, how they are growing their skills, what options are available, and where they want to end up. The RIASEC provides the language for discussions and dialogue about ever-shifting job opportunities and career decisions.
- Career Advising Coaches use RIASEC as a common language to help students self-identify and also to describe their post secondary options as part of pursuing a meaningful and viable career path that aligns to their vocational interests
- Students use RIASEC to self-report and describe RIASEC themes, making connections between these themes and their post-secondary options. They will understand the potential for change in these themes as they mature
- Teachers make connections between content areas and RIASEC themes when appropriate to make natural connections to career options related to classroom experiences
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- Teachers prompt students to reflect on how their content unlocks and opens career opportunities for students
- Families use the RIASEC to have conversations about the key decision points for students to align postsecondary and career options
- Business partners use RIASEC to describe their workplace, careers in their business, and make connections between their employees, products and services and the landscape of work in their industry
- Career labs and career exploration spaces provide students opportunities to explicitly connect RIASEC with their experiences
- Print and digital resources align and make RIASEC user-friendly and accessible
Understanding the Six Themes
Realistic
Investigative
Investigative
"Doers"
Work with machines, tools, plants, animals, or the environment
Likes to
- Grow plants
- Be physically active
- Build and repair things
- Be outdoors
- Work with animals
- Operate tools and machines
Investigative
Investigative
Investigative
"Thinkers"
Observe, learn, investigate, analyze, evaluate, and use math and science to solve problems
Likes to
- Conduct experiments
- Figure out puzzles
- Research to find answers
- Solve problems
- Think Deeply
- Understand why things happen
Artistic
Investigative
Artistic
"Creators"
Work in unstructured environments using imagination, art, and creative self-expression
Likes to
- Sketch, draw, paint
- Play a musical instrument
- Write stories, poetry, music
- Sing, act, dance
- Design fashion or interiors
- Attend concerts or plays
Social
Enterprising
Artistic
"Helpers"
Work with others to listen, understand, empathize, inform, help teach, or heal.
Likes to
- Lead discussions
- Do volunteer work
- Help people with problems
- Teach or train
- Take care of others
- Heal others
- Advocate for social justice
Enterprising
Enterprising
Enterprising
"Persuaders"
Influence, persuade, sell, compete, or lead people and projects to achieve organizational goals.
Likes to
- Debate ideas
- Lead groups
- Persuade people
- Make decisions
- Sell things
- Initiate projects or start businesses
Conventional
Enterprising
Enterprising
"Organizers"
Work with data and systems, accurate, organized, and follows instructions.
Likes to
- Find patterns in data
- Organize collections
- Keep accurate records
- Follow a set plan
- Create structures and systems
- Be responsible for details