RIASEC Career Guidance

Key Points to remember: RIASEC career guidance is a self satisfying job done with passion. Self assessment is extremely necessary for career guidance.

  • People who choose to work in an environment similar to their personality type are more likely to be more successful and satisfied.
  • The RIASEC model proposes that individuals possess certain personality traits and preferences that align with specific occupational themes or environments.
  • A Career is a self satisfying job done with passion.
  • Self assessment is extremely necessary for career guidance.
Riasec Career Talk, Career Guidance and test for Kenyan Students after KCSE

Next, we discuss the seven career personality types:

REALISTIC


The Realistic types of people have earned the nickname as the “doers” because they are frequently drawn to problem-solving tasks. They tend to value very practical things that are based in reality such as things that you can see and touch right in front of you. Plants, animals, tools and mechanics are very comfortable subjects of study for the doers as they are clearly defined objects that are easily observable. As such, they tend to prefer working with things rather than people and value the outdoors and nature in their work.

Summary:
Likes to work with animals, tools, or machines; generally avoids social activities like teaching, nursing and informing others;
Has good skills in working with tools, mechanical or electrical drawings, machines, or plants and animals;
Values practical things you can see, touch, and use like plants and animals, tools, equipment, or machines. – Prefers working with machines as opposed to ideas or people.
Prefers concrete problems as opposed to abstract problems.
Sees self as practical, mechanical, and realistic.

Click here to read more about Realistic Personality

INVESTIGATIVE

These people are commonly called “thinkers” as they notoriously think things through until a solution is found. Though they value logic and order they also tend to differ from the Realistic type in that they prefer to use their investigative qualities in order to explore more innovative ideas. In fact, though they are seemingly on a quest to answer unknown questions they also prefer loosely structured environments without too strict of rules or regulations. This lack of rules allows them to curiously and passionately explore exactly what they want and for as far as their inquisitive brains will take them.

Summary:

Likes to study and solve mathematical, scientific or logical problems.
They are observant and reflective /investigative.
They are good in doing research.
Generally avoids leading, selling, or persuading people;
Prefers working with ideas as opposed to people.
Do not like highly structured settings.
They see themselves as precise, scientific, and intellectual.

Click here to read more about Investigative personality.

ARTISTIC:

The Artistic types are the most creative of all personality types. Also known as creators. They explore their curiosity in very expressive ways by using many different mediums in their activities. No matter the position or field of work the artistic type works by thinking creatively to solve problems. Often times they can be found experimenting with their ideas or working to recreate pre-existing systems. They seek out environments that allow them space to explore their creativity. This unconventional creative is often described as the “free-spirited”. They also like adventure.

Summary:

Likes to do creative activities like art, drama, crafts, dance, music, or creative writing.
Generally avoids highly ordered or repetitive activities
Uses creativity or imagination and is very innovative.
Prefers to work with self-expressive ideas.
Values change and independence
Sometimes described as impulsive, independent, sensitive, complicated, open, and idealistic
Has good artistic abilities – in creative writing, drama, crafts, sculpture, music, or art;
They tend to exhibit stylish fashion choices
Sees self as expressive, original, and independent.

Click here to read more about Artistic Personality

SOCIAL PERSONALITY:

Individuals who are a social personality type are dedicated leaders, humanistic, responsible and supportive.
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.

These individuals are friendly and skilled with words to solve problems. A social personality type enjoys informing, helping, training, developing and curing people. Their empathy and sensitivity to emotional cues helps them solve people problems, sometimes before others are aware of them. These individuals can pull people together and generate positive energy for a good cause.

Summary:

Best known for their warm and friendly personalities.
They use feelings, words and ideas to work with people rather than physical activity to do things.
They enjoy closeness, sharing, groups, unstructured activity and being in charge.
Likes to do things to help people – like teaching, counseling, nursing / giving first aid, or giving information.
Generally avoids using machines, tools, or animals to achieve a goal;
Values helping people and solving social problems.
Sees self as helpful, friendly, and trustworthy.

ENTERPRISING

Enterprising types, also known as “the Persuaders” work best with people and data. The influencers tend to be adventurous, energetic and confident and are often found socializing with others. They get their nickname “The Persuader” because of their excellent social skills. The persuaders are good talkers and very persuasive. Some would say that these types of people can “sell ice-cream to an eskimo!”.
Enterprising people like to work with people to influence, persuade, and lead them and to achieve organizational or financial goals. They solve problems by taking risks. Instead of doing research, this person relies on intuition about what will work. They often initiate projects but mostly get others to carry them out. These individuals may focus solely on a project and not notice the personal concerns of others or of themselves.
These types of people tend to place great value on power, status and money and, as a result, they are dominant, assertive and influential.

Summary

Likes to lead and persuade people, and to sell things and ideas.
Likes to work with people, influence, persuade, lead or manage for organizational goals or economic gain.
They enjoy money, power, status and being in charge.
They often trust their intuition and take risks.
Are very ambitious and quick in decision-making.
Generally avoids activities that require careful observation and scientific, analytical thinking.
Values success in politics, leadership or business.
Dislikes details.
Sees self as energetic, very ambitious, and sociable.

CONVENTIONAL

They are referred to as “Organizers” because of their love for structure and predictability. Organizers are known to like rules and regulations, structure and tend to work amazingly well with data and numbers. They are logical, efficient, details-oriented and follow through on the instructions of others. They are quiet, careful, responsible, well organized and task oriented. These individuals use their mind, eyes and hands to carry out tasks.

Summary

Likes to work with records, numbers or machines in a set, organized and orderly way.
generally avoid ambiguous, unstructured activities.
Are good at working with written records and numbers in a systematic way.
Value success in business.
Are good at following a set plan.
Have a strong need to feel secure and certain, get things done and take care of every detail.
Place great value on reputation, power or status.
Sees self as orderly, and good at following a set plan.

ADVENTURING:

This involves engaging in activities that demand physical stamina, endurance, competition and a willingness to take risks. Individuals with this career interest often thrive in athletics, military, law enforcement roles, police and enjoy participating in challenging and adventurous events. They find satisfaction in competing, whether by achieving individual success or collaborating with a team. They tend to seek excitement and have a strong confidence in their physical abilities and skills.

Riasec Career Talk, Career Guidance and test for Kenyan Students after KCSE

Links to important topics on Career Choice and Guidance: