In 1959, sociology professor John L. Holland devised six codes to describe the strengths of fundamental personality types. Hollands Occupational Theories basic premise was that one’s occupational preferences were in a sense a veiled expression of underlying character. According to the Holland Code Career the domain that meets my interest the least with a 7 is Conventional (Organizers), people who prefer to work with ‘data’ and who ‘like rules and regulations and emphasize self-control. They like structure and order, and dislike unstructured or unclear work and interpersonal situations’. They also ‘place value on reputation, power, or status’. Next with a 15 is Realistic (Doers) these types like to work with ‘things’. They tend to be ‘assertive and competitive, and are interested in activities requiring motor coordination, skill and strength’.
Then with an 18 Artistic (Creators) they like to work with ‘ideas and things’. They tend to be ‘creative, open, inventive, original, perceptive, sensitive, independent and emotional’. They rebel against ‘structure and rules” but enjoy ‘tasks involving people or physical skills’. They tend to be more emotional than the other types. Followed by Enterprising (Persuaders) with a 27. They like to work with ‘people and data’. They tend to be ‘good talkers and use this skill to lead or persuade others’. They ‘also value reputation, power, money and status’. Close behind with a 28 is Investigative (Thinkers) people who prefer to work with ‘data’. They like to ‘think and observe rather than act, to organize and understand information rather than to persuade’.
They also prefer ‘individual rather than people-oriented activities’. Finally, with a 32, the domain that meets my interest the most is Social (Helpers) People who like to work with ‘people’ and who ‘seem to satisfy their needs in teaching or helping situations’. They tend to be ‘drawn more to seek close relationships with other people and are less apt to want to be really intellectual or physical'(Wikipedia). If you are Social on the Holland code scale, then others probably describe you as responsible and cooperative. You are idealistic with a strong personal values system that guides your every decision in life. Your generous nature inspires you to donate money and volunteer for good causes, as you get a real sense of joy from helping other people and your insightfulness enables you to see how you can have a positive impact on the world around you.
The social personality types, according to the Holland Codes, are best known for their warm and friendly personalities. They are great problem solvers with a great ability to work with others. In the occupational setting these personality types are known as the “helpers.” They tend to be concerned with the welfare of others and use that as a guiding principle in their work. The social types really value people and workplaces that demonstrate cooperation, good communication skills and help cultivate a sense of community. They also are sometimes great cheerleaders of the group by encouraging others in their endeavors, as well. As such they will gravitate toward work environments that foster a sense of support and collaboration. The Social domain relates to preferences for Myers-Briggs Extraversion and Feeling.
These individuals are common among teachers, childcare workers, healthcare workers, trainers, caretakers, counseling, psychology, and various types of non-profit work to name a few (Holland Career Code, RIASEC). According to 16personalities.com the results for my personality type is “Campaigner” ENFP-T. They are often the life of the party, but unlike types in the Explorer Role group, Campaigners are less interested in the sheer excitement and pleasure of the moment than they are in enjoying the social and emotional connections they make with others. “It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for- and if you dare to dream of meeting your hearts longing. It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool- for love- for your dreams- for the adventure of being alive” (Oriah Mountain Dreamer).
More than just sociable people-pleasers though, Campaigners, like all their Diplomat cousins, are shaped by their Intuitive (N) quality, allowing them to read between the lines with curiosity and energy. They tend to see life as a big, complex puzzle where everything is connected – but unlike Analyst personality types, who tend to see that puzzle as a series of systemic machinations, Campaigners see it through a prism of emotion, compassion and mysticism, and are always looking for a deeper meaning. Charming, independent, energetic, and compassionate, the 7% of the population that they comprise can certainly be felt in any crowd. The Campaigner personality is a true free spirit. The career path I choose is Physical Therapy. My professional goals are to be a PT that specializes in Pediatric Physical Therapy.
Physical Therapy is the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery. Pediatric physical therapist is specially trained to help children achieve developmental milestones and improve skills related to strength, balance, postural control, coordination, mobility and endurance. A few reasons children may benefit from physical therapy include genetic disorders, muscular diseases, congenital disabilities, injuries, and developmental delays. During sessions, a physical therapist follows a comprehensive plan to target developmental challenges. The focus for each session may change depending on a child’s individual needs, but PT’s engage kids with fun, age-appropriate games and activities to keep them motivated and happy. For the most part, pediatric physical therapy sessions should look and feel like play.
I completely agree with my results of Holland Code career interests and personality test. I feel that the Social domain and Campaigner describe my career interests and personality spot on. I enjoy working with people and am compassionate, caring person who likes to see the impact of my work on others’ lives. I despise mundane routine and have never viewed myself as one that would succeed in or even pursue a normal “9-5” job. Repetition, predictability, boredom… while some may appreciate predictability and clear hierarchies, those are not selling points for me. My adaptability and spontaneity come together to form an approachable, interesting, exciting, cooperative, altruistic spirit, and empathetic disposition. I can get along with pretty much everyone, and my circle of friends stretch far and wide.
Campaigners such like myself are fiercely independent, and much more than stability and security, we crave creativity and freedom. Chief among my many talents is my people skills, and no one is better equipped to merge broad interests than talented, energetic, and future-minded Campaigners. I take pleasure in going out to experience things, and I do not hesitate to step out of my comfort zones to do so. My personality characteristics match effortlessly with my career path. The results indicated what my career strengths and weakness are. My strengths include curious, observant, energetic and enthusiastic, excellent communicator, know how to relax, and very popular and friendly. My weaknesses include poor practical skills, find it difficult to focus, over think things, get stressed easily, highly emotional, and lastly independent to a fault.
This knowledge is particularly beneficial not only while writing a cover letter and resume allowing me to pinpoint characteristics targeting my finer qualities that make me an asset to the company, or giving topics for discussion during the interview process; but it also sheds some light on what type of place I should be seeking employment at in the future. Knowing more about my personal career strengths and weaknesses help me to hone in on exactly where to concentrate my needs for improvement. The only two faults I see being problematic in my professional goal would be highly emotional and easily stressed. In that case I can begin to prepare and remind myself to not let those get the best of me. I feel the other weaknesses along with my strengths only validate knowing I have made the right decision and to confidently move forward in my career choice with high spirits.
