John L. Holland is a psychologist who spent much of his career at Johns Hopkins University. He received his B.S. from the University of Omaha and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.
Holland is the creator of the RIASEC career development model often referred to as the Holland Codes.
This information is a reprint from Wikipedia (July 25, 2007):
Holland Codes are career types created by psychologist John L. Holland.
Holland mapped these types into a hexagon which he then broke down into the RIASEC job environments :
- Realistic – practical, physical, hands-on, tool-oriented
- Investigative – analytical, intellectual, scientific, explorative
- Artistic – creative, original, independent, chaotic
- Social – cooperative, supporting, helping, healing/nurturing
- Enterprising – competitive environments, leadership, persuading
- Conventional – detail-oriented, organizing, clerical
Holland argues that 2-3 types dominate in each person.
For more of the Wikipedia definitions, use this link.
The North Carolina State Occupational Information Coordinating Committee has a free self-assessment exercise using the Holland Codes.
The Holland Codes are used frequently in choosing careers and/or college majors because they are based on natural interest. One of the largest sites, HollandCodes, has free college search and career information. This site has extensive information and links to sites specializing in the Holland Codes.
