College and Career Lab
Spring 2026
Why Your Personality Matters When Choosing a Career
Have you ever wondered why some people love working with machines, others enjoy helping people all day, and some would rather be designing art or starting a business? A big part of the answer has to do with personality.
One well-known career theory, developed by psychologist John Holland, suggests that people are happier and more successful in careers that match their personality type. This idea is often called Holland’s Career Theory or RIASEC.
Holland grouped both people and work environments into six main types.
The Six Holland Personality Types
Realistic (R)
These individuals like hands-on work. They often enjoy building, fixing, working outdoors, or using tools and machines. They usually prefer action over a lot of talking or paperwork.
Examples of careers: electrician, mechanic, construction worker, engineer, farmer.
Investigative (I)
Investigative types are curious and enjoy thinking, researching, and solving problems. They like to explore ideas and figure out how things work.
Examples of careers: scientist, doctor, lab technician, computer programmer, researcher.
Artistic (A)
Artistic individuals enjoy creativity and self-expression. They often like music, writing, design, drama, or other creative activities. They usually prefer less structure and more freedom.
Examples of careers: graphic designer, writer, musician, photographer, actor.
Social (S)
Social types enjoy working with people and helping others. They are often good communicators and feel comfortable teaching, supporting, or caring for others.
Examples of careers: teacher, counselor, nurse, social worker, coach.
Enterprising (E)
Enterprising individuals like leading, persuading, and starting new projects. They are often energetic, confident, and interested in business or leadership roles.
Examples of careers: entrepreneur, sales manager, lawyer, marketing specialist, real estate agent.
Conventional (C)
Conventional types like organization, structure, and working with details. They often enjoy working with data, numbers, or systems and prefer clear rules and procedures.
Examples of careers: accountant, administrative assistant, bank teller, data analyst, office manager.
Most People Are a Mix
Very few people fit into just one category. Most of us are a combination of two or three types. For example, someone might be Social and Artistic, or Investigative and Realistic.
Career assessments based on Holland’s theory can help you discover your top personality areas. Once you know your strongest types, you can explore careers that match those traits.
Finding a Career Path That Actually Fits You
There’s no single perfect formula for choosing your future career, and no two journeys look exactly the same. Still, there are some smart first steps that can help you move in the right direction instead of just guessing and hoping for the best.
Here’s how to start.
1. Start With You
Before you pick a career, you need to understand the person who’s going to be doing that career every day. That person is you.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has different personalities, energy levels, and ways of learning. The key is figuring out yours.
Ask yourself:
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What comes naturally to me that other people seem to struggle with?
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What activities make me lose track of time?
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Do I feel energized being around people, or do I recharge better on my own?
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Do I like hands-on learning, reading, watching, or doing?
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Who inspires me, and why?
These questions can be hard to answer on your own, and that’s completely normal. That’s where personality tests and career assessments can really help. We’re lucky to have so many tools available now. Your school career counselor, Ms. Brophy, can help you with personality and career assessments, and Naviance also has several great options under the Self-Discovery section.
Don’t skip this step. Understanding how you’re wired is one of the biggest keys to long-term success and satisfaction.
2. Make a Big, Messy List of Careers
Now that you’ve started learning about yourself, it’s time to brainstorm.
Make a list of any jobs or careers that sound interesting to you. Do not worry yet about salary, education, or how “realistic” they seem. This is not the time to limit yourself. This is the time to explore.
If you feel stuck, career interest assessments can help generate ideas you may have never considered. Naviance has a few great ones, and there are also free tools online like the O*NET Interest Profiler and CareerOneStop.
The goal here is simple: build a list of possibilities.
3. Turn Into a Researcher
Now it’s time to dig deeper.
Look up the careers on your list and learn what they’re really like. A great place to start is the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It gives detailed information about:
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What people in that career actually do
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Work environment and conditions
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Education and training required
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Salary ranges
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Job outlook for the future
As you research, start narrowing your list down. Which careers still sound interesting after you learn the details? Try to get your list down to your top three options.
4. Find Out What It Takes to Get There
Once you have a few strong options, research the path to get there.
Ask:
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Do I need a college degree? If so, what major?
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Do I need a certificate, license, or special training?
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Can I learn this on the job or through an apprenticeship?
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Are these jobs available where I want to live?
You can even check job sites like Indeed to see real job postings in careers you’re considering. This gives you a realistic picture of what employers are looking for.
Even if your career feels far away right now, starting this research early gives you a huge advantage. The more you know, the better choices you can make about classes, training, and goals.
Feeling Overwhelmed? That’s Normal.
Choosing a future can feel like a lot. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
The staff at EPEA are here to support you, and your career counselor will be happy to help you explore options, take assessments, and build a plan step by step. You don’t need all the answers today. You just need to start asking the right questions.
Fun Facts About Jobs
Did you know that...
- The career of "data scientist" has been judged one of the most most lucrative and attractive careers of the 21st century. Data scientists analyze information, such as market and statistical trends, in order to help their companies make sound decisions and investments.
- Of the twenty wealthiest people in the world, fourteen are US citizens.
- The safest American jobs include librarian, secretary, and salesperson
- The most dangerous jobs in America include logger, deep-sea fisherman, and airplane pilot.
- The first minimum wage law was passed under Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, setting the wage at 25 cents per hour.
