When you choose a major, you choose an education that will help prepare you for your future career. Some majors translate well to many career fields while others are highly specialized for more niche careers. For example, a psychology major may work in a helping profession or in advertising while an accountant will most likely work as an accountant.
Maybe you have majors in mind based on your interests but aren't sure how they connect to careers. Or maybe you are wondering how to choose a college major when you’re stuck without any ideas in mind. With our major-career connection resources, you will get an overview of each undergraduate field of study offered at IU Indianapolis along with related career opportunities, the specialized support team that would support you, and links to additional information. One way that you can find majors and careers that align with your personality is by using Holland interest codes.
Holland interest codes
John Holland theorized that people and work environments can be loosely classified into six different groups, or occupational themes. While you may have some interest in and similarities to several of the six themes, you may be attracted primarily to two or three of them. These two or three letters are your interest code, listed in order of relevance to your personality. The types not in your code are the types you resemble least of all. This clustering system provides a preliminary way to identify undergraduate majors and careers that might be a satisfying fit for you.
Holland occupational themes
Learn about the different themes that make up Holland interest codes.
Nicknamed “the creators,” people with an artistic personality value aesthetic qualities and have a need for self-expression. They enjoy being spectators (rather than participants) of art activities. They are as likely to express this interest through leisure and recreational activities as they are through professional practice. They are motivated by self-expression.
Nicknamed “the organizers,” people with aconventional personality enjoy activities centered around the detail, organization, and accuracy of data. They often enjoy mathematical and data management activities. They enjoy collecting information and objects and are motivated by routine and order.
Nicknamed “the persuaders,” people with an enterprising personality are considered born leaders. Competitive by nature, they like to manage, direct, or persuade others in a business or corporate setting. They seek positions of leadership, power, and status and enjoy guiding others toward specific organizational goals and economic success. They are also most likely to take personal and financial risks.
Interests
Values
Talents & abilities
Qualities
Politics
Seeking pleasure
Leadership
Assertive, dominant
Economics
Power, control
Management
Outgoing
Leadership
Success
Persuasion, sales
Self-confident
Challenges
Status, recognition
Decision making
Energetic
Competition
Expressing opinions
Public speaking
Dynamic
Negotiation
Making money
Planning, organizing
Ambitious
Potential enterprising careers: special agent, industrial engineer, tax attorney, urban planner, construction superintendent
Nicknamed “the thinkers,” people with an investigative personality enjoy gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information, as well as uncovering new facts or theories. They tend to enjoy science and are quite curious. They prefer academic or research environments that will allow them to develop ideas, and they enjoy working alone rather than in groups. They are motivated by learning and knowledge.
Interests
Values
Talents & abilities
Qualities
Problem solving
Science
Math
Intellectual
Exploring, observing
Technical expertise
Science
Analytical
Reading, investigating
Setting own pace
Problem solving
Inquisitive
Using instruments
Working alone
Scientific method
Introspective
Designing things
Thinking vs. doing
Research
Unconventional
Science fiction, mysteries
Creating
Analysis
Insightful
Potential investigative careers: neurologist, computer programmer, systems analyst, curator, meteorologist
Nicknamed “the doers,” people with a realistic personality enjoy activities that involve primarily mechanical and physical abilities. They prefer working with tools or their hands and enjoy nature and adventurous activities. They are motivated by hands-on, tangible results.
Nicknamed “the helpers,” people with a social personality like to work with others in a helping relationship. They prefer social environments that will allow them to interact regularly with people, work in groups or teams, and solve problems through sharing thoughts and feelings.
Interests
Values
Talents & abilities
Qualities
Music, reading, drama
Social interaction
Communication
Cooperative
Helping others
Impacting individuals
Teaching
Outgoing
Religion
Impacting society
Leading, advising
Understanding
Education
Working on teams
Encouraging
Insightful
Community service
Expressing feelings
Listening
Helpful
Social activities
Growth of others
Facilitating
Trustworthy
Potential social careers: dietitian, paralegal, nurse-midwife, teacher, police officer
Learn about majors and careers based on your interests
Selecting a major and career is a very involved process, requiring careful evaluation of yourself as well as academic and occupational information. No single questionnaire, assessment, or person can tell you what you should pursue. To make the best choice, it is important to consider your unique combination of interests, values, abilities, personality, and experiences.
Keep in mind that majors and careers can accommodate a wide range of interests; an exact fit is not necessary for academic and career satisfaction. Specific major and career decisions can be discussed in more detail with your academic advisor or career counselor.
