RIASEC is a simple way to describe what you enjoy. Most people are a mix of 2–3 letters (like I-A-S). Use this guide to learn what each letter means.
About RIASEC
The RIASEC model was created by Dr. John L. Holland (1919–2008), an American psychologist and professor at Johns Hopkins University.
🧠 Who Invented It
John L. Holland, Ph.D.
- A psychologist specializing in vocational behavior and career choice.
- Developed the Holland Occupational Themes, better known as RIASEC, starting in the 1950s.
- His theory was published in works such as:
- The Psychology of Vocational Choice (1959)
- Making Vocational Choices (1973, 1985, 1997 editions)
💡 What It's About
Holland believed:
"People flourish best in work environments that match their personalities."
He proposed that most people's interests and careers can be grouped into six types:
Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional — hence the acronym RIASEC.
- Each type represents a cluster of traits, interests, and preferred activities.
- People usually score high in 2–3 areas, forming a code like "IAS" or "SEC," which helps identify careers that fit their personality.
🏛️ Legacy
- Forms the foundation of most modern career assessments, including:
- The Strong Interest Inventory (SII)
- The O*NET Interest Profiler (developed by the U.S. Department of Labor)
- Used globally in career counseling, education, and workforce programs.
- Empirically validated across decades of research.
| Letter | Name | "You might like…" | Example careers |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | Realistic ("Doers") | Building, fixing, using hands, tools, or machines | Engineer, Mechanic, Athlete, Chef, Pilot |
| I | Investigative ("Thinkers") | Figuring out how things work, science, experiments, math | Scientist, Doctor, Data Analyst, Researcher |
| A | Artistic ("Creators") | Drawing, music, writing, acting, design, expressing ideas | Artist, Musician, Designer, Writer, Filmmaker |
| S | Social ("Helpers") | Teaching, caring, helping, counseling, teamwork | Teacher, Nurse, Coach, Counselor |
| E | Enterprising ("Persuaders") | Leading, organizing, selling, starting new things | Entrepreneur, Manager, Lawyer, Politician |
| C | Conventional ("Organizers") | Organizing, planning, working with details, numbers | Accountant, Librarian, Analyst, Office Manager |
What's next?
- Think of your top 2–3 letters.
- Open the chat mentor and tell it your letters or what you enjoy.
- Try one mini-project this week from the careers it suggests!