STRONG INTEREST INVENTORY

Go by the sign that you think you have the most in common with – where would you fit in the best?

Discuss what brought you to that group

What did you all have in common with one another?

Strong BackgroundMost researched interest scaleHigh validity and reliabilityFirst developed by E.K. Strong

Decided similar interests bring people together in work settings

Holland expanded on the theory“People tend to surround themselves with others

who share interests, competencies, and outlook on world. Thus, where people congregate… reflects the type they are.”

Gave every person and every job a Holland Code - RIASEC

Strong TheoryWhat people do is a reflection of their

interestsPeople of similar interests will be satisfied

in those occupations given their values, knowledge and abilities are also the same

Measures interests, not abilitiesNot used to tell you what you should be,

but to be used as a spring board for ideasPurpose is to identify themes and patterns

Normative SampleCompared against 67,000 people who took

the assessmentAll at least 21 years old, satisfied with

their work, been in occupation for 3 years, do typical work tasks

Random sample with race and ethnicityMeasures how similar you are to them –

how well you would fit in with themProfiled with women only

General Occupational Themes (GOTs)

Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional

Usually identify with three codes stronglyRepresented with first letter of code

nameCan see self in allAfter age 25, the letters should stay the

same, but the order of them might changeWill rate yourself first and then see how

you scored

Realistic: The DoersLove to work with their hands, tools,

machinery, computer networksRugged, practical, athletic, mechanical,

adventurous, self-reliantEnjoy fixing, repairing, building, working

outdoorsLike physical risksPrefer concrete rather than abstract

problemsPresent oriented, thing oriented

Realistic: Work EnvironmentsPlaces where they can produce tangible

results Things that that they can see and touch

Situations calling for minimal interaction with others

Where casual dress is allowedOrganizations structured with clearly

drawn lines of authority

Realistic QuizWhat kind of car do they drive?

Trucks, SUV, JeepWhat would be their ideal vacation?

Camping, attending sports event, fishing, golfing, outward bound, hiking, adventure trip

What motivates them? Hands-on, tangible results

What would they buy?Boats, campers, sports equipment, power

tools, ESPN magazine, adventure books

Investigative: The ThinkersLike to gather information, uncover new facts,

interpret dataCurious, abstract thinkers, rational, critical,

intellectual, introverted, insightful, persistentLove to explore learningStrong scientific or mathematic orientationCompetent in analysis, writing, problem solving,

researchVery task-orientedExpress themselves by using their mindsEnjoy mental challengesSolve problems by thinking

Investigative: Work EnvironmentsUnstructured work environments

that allow freedom in work stylesWhere they can work alone most of

the timeResearch labs, universities,

computer-related industries, scientific foundations, medical facilities

Where they can continue to learn and uncover new data

Investigative QuizWhat would they drive?

Bicycle, Volvo, “hybrid,” HondaWhat would be their ideal vacation?

Space camp, fossil dig, science museum, African safari, visit ruins, historical places (Europe)

What motivates them?Curiosity, learning, knowledge

What would they buy?Telescopes, computers, books, puzzles,

electronic equipment, science fiction or mystery novels

Artistic: The CreatorsEnjoy music, art, drama, anything culturalEnjoy self-expressionIndependent and highly creative

Creativity is expressed in many ways… ideas, writing, appreciating or creating arts, performing, counseling, developing programs, etc…

Impulsive, non-conforming, sensitive, emotional, visionary, introspective, imaginative

Enjoy beauty, variety, and what is unusualSolve problems by doing something new

Artistic: Work EnvironmentsUnstructured, flexible settings that allow

self-expressionWhere they can work on their ownWhere they can teach skillsWhere they can incorporate creativity in

their workTheaters, concert halls, advertising, PR,

museums, libraries, education, etc.

Artistic QuizWhat kind of car do they drive?

Bug, PT Cruiser, Mini Copper, ConvertibleWhat would be their ideal vacation?

NYC to see shows, Venice to see art, dance/acting workshop

What motivates them?Self-expression

What would they buy?Art objects, music CDs, colorful things,

decorations, theater tickets

Social: The HelpersLike to work with people, often in

groups, to help inform, train, teach, nurture, help, develop, cure

Like to arrange positive relationships – create harmony

Deep concern for people and excellent interpersonal skills

Humanistic, cooperative, supportive, tactful, friendly, outgoing

Solve problems by discussing feelings with others

Social: Work EnvironmentUnstructured settings where they

can get to know othersWhere they can feel like they make a

differenceWhere they can work with othersSocial services, non-profit, schools,

human resources, mental health fields, medical services

Social QuizWhat car would they drive?

Mini-van, SUV, SuburbanWhere would be their ideal vacation?

Cruise with friends/family, beach house vacation, Disney World, family reunion

What motivates them?Helping others

What would they buy?Charity event tickets, food to entertain

others, People magazine, self-help books

Enterprising: The Leaders

Enjoy working with others to persuade, sell, lead, manage

Lead others towards some organizational goal or economic gain

Self-confident, sociable, ambitious, energetic, verbal, assertive, optimistic, competitive

Prefer social tasks – can’t stay at a task for too long

Like to lead groups, give speeches, manage people and projects

Enterprising: Work Environment

Like careers in businesses and large organizations

Where they can work with othersWhere they can live thoroughly in their

environments and have varietyPositions of leadership, power, statusOwn a business

Enterprising QuizWhat kind of car do they drive?

Lexus, BMW, Cadillac, Lincoln, high-end SUV

What is their ideal vacation?Luxury cruise, spa retreat, week of golf, Hamptons

or Cape Cod, skiing

What motivates them?Persuading others

What do they buy?Nice cars, good clothes, country club memberships,

the latest equipment, bestsellers, Wall Street Journal

Conventional: The OrganizersLike activities requiring attention to

detail, organization, accuracy, data systems, filing systems

Enjoy mathematics and data managementPractical, organized, systematic, accurate,

dependable, conscientious, efficient, quiteLike to organized othersDon’t mind being managedLive in orderlinessSolve problems by organizing it

Conventional: Work Environment

Prefer support service rolesLike to know the structure of the organization

Well organized chain of commandWhere they can be around others and by selfWhere they can be given exact instructions on

a projectLarge corporations, business offices,

accounting firmsWhere they can organize things and people

Conventional QuizWhat kind of car do they drive?

Buick, Honda, Saturn, fuel efficient carsWhat is their ideal vacation?

Historical cities, knitting workshop, pre-programmed tour, same cabin each year

What motivates them?Organizing and bring things together

What do they buy?Hobby collections, how-to books, file cabinets

and shelves

Check out your results...

General Occupational Themes (GOTS)

Usually two to three letters show up mostWho are you are in whole life (24/7)Show what you self-rated yourselfBars represent the strength of theme in you

compared to your same sex groupsVery high = top 10% of people with this interest,

more interest than almost allHigh = 15% above moderate interest group, more

interest than most Moderate = 50% of population are here, about as

much interest as most Little = less interest than mostVery Little = less interest than almost all

Basic Interests Scales25 scales that measure interest in

particular activitiesTell what you like to doSame rating as before: vh, h, m, l, vlHow do these interests play out in your

life?How is your life enriched by these

activities?Which would you want to pursue

professionally?

Occupational ScalesScales that measure your similarity to

women employed in 122 different occupations

Who are you like in your day-to-day activitiesOnly scale that incorporates both what you

answered like and dislikeAnything above 40 means that you are very

similar with both your likes and dislikes with people in those professions You would fit in with them; like to do similar

things when working

Occupational ScalesEach job has a code – by averaging

people’s codes who are in that fieldSome codes change slightly depending on

work jobsWhat do all of the job listed have in

common with one another?What do they have in common with you?What picture do they paint? What themes do you see?Where do these themes fit into your life?

Personal Style Scales

Five scales that assess personal preferences regarding work style, learning, leading, risk taking, and team orientation

Also important when considering and examining career professions

Normal RangesMean Bounds

Strong Like 11 0 – 27Like 24 5 – 43Indifferent 25 5 – 45Dislike 19 0 – 39Strongly Dislike 21 0 – 56

Strong Wrap Up

Questions?

Think about what you learned?

What do you need in a career to make sure it is in line with your interests?

What careers will you research as a result?