Connect your skills to majors and careers!

John Holland's theory of vocational personalities and work environments maintains that people can be categorized using six personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Individuals can usually identify between 2-3 personality types that best match their interests, behaviors and attitudes.

This 2 or 3 letter Holland Code (i.e.: Social, Artistic, Enterprising = SAE) is also associated with various work environments. The premise is that people who are mostly Social, for example, will find more job satisfaction and success in a work environment that is also labeled as Social. As you use more letters, your occupational choices will narrow, and perhaps hone in on occupational areas and majors that you will find most satisfying.

Below is an opportunity to identify your skills in an assessment that is based on Holland 's theory. It is important to note that using this assessment will not provide you with an absolute answer for your future; instead, you will discover career and/or major directions that you may wish to explore further. It is recommended that you discuss your results with an advisor or career counselor.

FIRST:

Complete the Free Online Assessment from Rutgers University Career Services
website and note your top three categories. Be sure to return to this page for Step2 once you have completed the assessment.

SECOND:

Click on the diagram below to explore UMass majors and careers that match your top 2 or 3 categories.

Holland characteristics pie chart