top of page

Utilizing Holland's RIASEC Model in Career Counseling

Writer's picture: Sylvia Broetje, PhDSylvia Broetje, PhD

Choosing a career path can be a complex and challenging journey. Fortunately, there are various tools and models designed to guide individuals in understanding themselves and finding careers that align with their interests and skills. One such influential model is Holland's RIASEC model, which offers a structured framework for career exploration and career counseling.


Understanding the RIASEC Model

Developed by psychologist John L. Holland, the RIASEC model is based on the idea that individuals can be classified into six primary types, each associated with distinct career preferences. Holland thought of these primarily as personality types, although nowadays, we usually think of assessments based on the Holland model as interest assessments. Both are somewhat correct and it depends on how broadly or narrowly we look at these preferences. I will refer to them as interests in this post.


The Six Types Are:

  1. Realistic (R): Practical, hands-on, and oriented towards tangible tasks.

  2. Investigative (I): Analytical, curious, and inclined towards intellectual pursuits.

  3. Artistic (A): Creative, expressive, and drawn to activities in the arts.

  4. Social (S): Compassionate, people-oriented, and focused on helping others.

  5. Enterprising (E): Ambitious, persuasive, and inclined towards leadership roles.

  6. Conventional (C): Detail-oriented, organized, and drawn to structured tasks.


The RIASEC Model of career interests

Assessing Individual Preferences

In career counseling, the first step is often conducting an assessment to determine an individual's Holland code. The assessment consists of a questionnaire that asks how much a person would be interested in doing various activities or tasks. There are no right or wrong answers here. A personalized code is created that reflects the person's unique combination of preferences, usually including the three most dominant preferences in order, e.g. AIS or CER.


Connecting Types to Careers

The beauty of the Holland model is that once the Holland code is determined, it can be used to match individuals to career options that could be worth exploring. Several lists and directories exist for this purpose and they describe which preferences can best be expressed in which careers. Matching with careers that resonate with our own motivations and interests, greatly enhances the likelihood that the career will be satisfying in the long term, while neglecting parts of one's own deeper interests is a recipe for career frustration. RIASEC assessments are also very valuable in exploring career changes and even the transition to a meaningful retirement.


Adapting to Individual Complexity

While the RIASEC model provides a solid foundation, it's important to acknowledge the complexity of individuals. Many people exhibit a combination of Holland codes, and their interests may evolve over time. As a career counselor, I can help navigate these nuances, and also put them in the context of other relevant attributes, such as personality traits (be it MBTI or big five) and cognitive aptitudes.


If you are interested in taking a professional RIASEC assessment or would like help with your career choice or transition, please connect, scheduling an introductory call or sending me a message.


Sylvia Broetje, PhD Industrial / Organizational Psychologist and Career Counselor


0 comments

Comments


Sylvia Broetje, PhD, LLC​

​

eMail: slb@sylviabroetje.com

​

Phone: +1 206 809 0840

​

Seattle, WA and Pacific Northwest

Sylvia Broetje © 2024

​

​

bottom of page