If you know the types of activities and work environments you like, it’s easier to find a job you will enjoy. Besides work activities, career interests also come from hobbies or personal projects, subjects you like to learn about, and your personality.
Career interests are often organized into the 6 categories below. See which 2–3 you think are strongest for you. Ready to see a list of careers that match your interests? Take the Interest Assessment.
Realistic
Realistic interests involve hands-on activity, working with materials, tools, and equipment, building, design, or working outdoors. People with Realistic interests like to:
- Be physically active
- Focus on real-world things, like plants and animals
- Take machines apart
- Fix things
Investigative
Investigative interests involve using math, data analysis, researching scientific subjects, and studying human behavior. People with Investigative like to:
- Spend time thinking
- Make observations
- Learn new things for fun
- Work independently
Artistic
Artistic interests often include creating visual artwork, dance or theater performances, written works, food, or music. People with Artistic interests like to:
- Express individuality in unique ways
- Avoid routine or repetitive tasks
- Follow their intuition or impulses
- Design objects or materials
Social
Social interests involve teaching, counseling, nursing, facilitating communication, and helping solve social problems. People with Social interests like to:
- Share information
- Help people
- Volunteer in their community
- Work together in groups
Enterprising
Enterprising interests involve leadership, selling, marketing, inspiring and persuading others, often in a business, law, or political setting. People with Enterprising interests like to:
- Debate and negotiate
- Compete
- Make decisions
- Take risks for the chance to gain something
Conventional
Conventional interests involve using systems to organize information, data, and materials, often in a business setting. People with Conventional interests like to:
- Make plans in advance
- Find the most efficient way to do things
- Stay on a task until its complete
- Commit to meeting deadlines