VOCATIONAL INTERESTS
Each person has developed personal preferences for certain
types of activities and environments. Most people who enjoy their work
have some intrinsic interest in the activities with which they are connected.
The six general areas of vocational interest developed
by psychologist John Holland are described below.
Think about your past
experiences and your current activities.
Then rank these work environments
from (1) to (6), from the one which best describes you (1), to the one
which least describes you (6).
| Tick |
Realistic |
For people who like activities
that are practical and concrete. They like to work outdoors and to work
with tools and machines using their physical skills. They often seek work
relating to nature and the outdoors, mechanics, construction or military
service. |
| |
Investigative |
For people who enjoy scientific
and intellectual pursuits. They enjoy gathering information, uncovering
new facts or theories and analyzing and interpreting data. They often seek
work relating to academic research, medical facilities, or computer-related
industries. |
| |
Artistic |
For people who value aesthetic
qualities and like opportunities for self-expression. They prefer unstructured
and flexible environments. They often seek work relating to art, music,
drama, writing or in libraries or museums. |
| |
Social |
For people who enjoy working
with people-to inform, help, train or develop them in some way. They enjoy
working in groups, sharing responsibilities and are good communicators.
They like to solve problems through discussions of feelings and interactions
with others. They often seek work relating to teaching, counselling or
recreation. |
| |
Enterprising |
For people who enjoy influencing,
leading or managing others for organizational goals or for economic success.
They enjoy persuading others to their viewpoint and prefer social tasks
where they can assume leadership. They often seek work relating to business
management, sales or politics. |
| |
Conventional |
For people who enjoy systematic
activities requiring attention to accuracy and detail, often associated
with office work. They enjoy working for large organizations and are comfortable
with an established chain of command. They often seek work relating to
financial institutions, accounting firms, or other large businesses. |
"I WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE"
Many individuals say that working with people must
be an important part of any career they pursue. There are many different
aspects to the concept of "working with people".
The exercise
below is designed to help you focus on those which are important to you.
Insert an x to note those
ways which appeal to you.
Add to the list others which are important to
you.
Then indicate the three ways of working with people
that you would most enjoy and be proficient at, and the three you would
least enjoy.
| |
Influence the attitudes,
ideas of others |
| |
Gather
information through direct contact with people |
| |
Help people
with personal problems |
| |
Instruct
other people in various tasks or skills |
| |
Supervise
and be responsible for the work of others |
| |
Consult
or advise others (even though not directly responsible for them) |
| |
Confront
others, present them with difficult decisions |
| |
Investigate
people by obtaining information about them |
| |
Provide
service to others: giving information, performing physical or highly technical
tasks |
| |
Mediate
between contending parties |
| |
Organize
others, bring people together in co-operative efforts |
| |
Make decisions
about others |
| |
Entertain
or perform for enjoyment |
| |
Understand
people and study their behaviour |
|
ENJOY MOST
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
ENJOY LEAST |
| 1. | | 2. |
| 3. |
I WANT TO WORK WITH INFORMATION
The present time is called the "information
age". Most jobs require information retrieval and usage. Many occupations
demand the development of new information. Using information can take many
forms. You can analyze, maintain and explain data. You can interpret ideas.
You can learn facts and prepare reports.
Put an x
on those ways that you would like to use information.
Add other ways.
| |
Develop
and discuss ideas and theories |
| |
Make decisions
based on definite rules and measurements |
| |
Explain/interpret
ideas and concepts |
| |
Use materials/equipment
in work, e.g., computers, wall charts, overhead projectors, blueprints,
etc. |
| |
Work with
survey data or other information on public opinion |
| |
Conduct
investigations, research |
| |
Work with
documents and records |
WORK ENVIRONMENT PREFERENCES
Satisfaction with your job often comes from a compatibility
of other factors meeting your needs. In the following exercise, look at
the elements of lifestyle in a geographic area.
| Location: e.g.,
rural, small town, large metropolitan centre, climate, safety/security
of neighbourhood |
|
|
| Accommodation/Amenities:
e.g., close to work, family, sports complex, continuing education programs
| |
|
| Other Interests:
e.g., starting own business, opportunity for civic/volunteer
work | |
|
Describe your preferences for the job and organization,
e.g., size of organization, amount of bureaucracy, challenge, responsibility,
shift work, travel on job, prestigious job, nature of physical surroundings,
amount of personal work space and equipment provided, training/personal
development programs, feedback from supervisors, contact with co-workers,
financial compensation, no/minimal relocation, type of technology in use,
dress code, etc.
|