RIASEC

It’s a way to discover what kinds of careers might fit you best based on what you enjoy, how you like to learn, and how you prefer to work. There are six main career interest areas:

• R – Realistic (Builders & Doers) – Do you love hands-on activities, fixing things, or working outdoors? Careers in engineering, mechanics, construction, and athletics might be a great fit.
• I – Investigative (Thinkers & Problem-Solvers) – Are you curious about how things work? You might love careers in science, technology, research, and medicine.
• A – Artistic (Creators & Designers) – Do you love to express yourself through art, music, or writing? Creative careers like design, animation, film, or performing arts could be perfect for you.
• S – Social (Helpers) – Do you love working with and helping others? You might enjoy careers in education, healthcare, counseling, or social work.
• E – Enterprising (Leaders & Entrepreneurs) – Are you full of ideas, great at convincing others, or interested in running a business? You could thrive in marketing, entrepreneurship, law, or leadership roles.
• C – Conventional (Organizers & Planners) – Do you love structure, organization, and working with data? Careers in finance, logistics, administration, and planning might be a great fit.

Because your future should be more than just a job—it should be something exciting, meaningful, and built around what makes you feel alive.

Understanding your RIASEC interests can help you pick classes, clubs, internships, and even careers that match who you are. The best part? Your interests can grow and evolve over time!

By discovering what you love today, you can start building a future that feels right for you—whether that’s in high school, college, or a career that doesn’t even exist yet.

This is why we focus on Strengths & Interests—because the more you understand yourself, the more doors you can open for your future!

We are fortunate in VUSD to be building this career-connected language with students! What we have found is that this isn’t just interesting to the students, but to the adults as well! We all like to learn more about ourselves and to put words to how we feel about things. RIASEC is a way to help do that!

When we talk about our RIASEC Code, we often think in the following terms. Our “Code” is the top three letters that we identify with. We find that from adolescence on that the letters for people do not usually change over time. What does change is the order of preference of the top three letters. We also talk about “what we lead with.” This is what you might think of as your #1 letter. 

There are many ways that we can learn about the RIASEC, and our own unique code! Some examples:

• Inventory Tool: All VUSD students have a Thrively account. Students can access Thrively through ClassLink and use their VUSD Google Login.  Once you do the assessment, make sure to write down your 3 RIASEC Letters. Have a conversation with someone in your family, a friend, or an adult at school about your Code and why you think it is perfect, or not!
• Self Report (Card Sort): Teachers or Counselors can do a card sort in class or in small groups. With the VUSD RIASEC Cards, the adults can lead you through a discussion about each letter of the RIASEC, examples of what people with that letter might like to do, and sample careers for people with each letter. 
• Self Report (Video): A great way for teachers and families to work with students around RIASEC and to also improve adult understanding is through a series of short videos about each letter of the RIASEC. To do this activity, each person participating needs a blank piece of paper divided into 6 squares. Label each square with one of the following letters: R  I  A  S  E  C. Then watch each video. During each video that corresponds to the letter in a square, make a mark every time they say something that excites you, you like, or think you would like. After you watch all six videos, look at your sheet and determine which letter you had the most marks in. Then have a discussion with adults and students about where the marks are, and why! Is there one letter that has more than others? Was there a tie? 

We have some suggested ideas, with a different document for each letter of the RIASEC, and broken down by grade span. Some you can do right from home, and others are opportunities throughout San Diego. We want to add to this list and would love your local ideas!

What is the history of RIASEC and how do we know that this is a valid and reliable taxonomy?

Origins and Foundations of RIASEC

RIASEC, developed by John Holland in 1959, is a widely recognized framework in vocational psychology that categorizes career and personality types into six domains: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Holland’s theory is rooted in the idea that people and work environments can be grouped by shared characteristics and that greater alignment between an individual’s interests and their environment leads to greater satisfaction and success.

Holland’s framework has been rigorously researched and validated over decades, demonstrating strong reliability and predictive validity. It is used by institutions such as the U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET), the College Board, and career assessment tools worldwide. Additionally, many colleges and universities classify their majors using RIASEC, including Arizona State University, Purdue University, Florida State University, and the University of Missouri, helping students align their strengths with academic disciplines.

Does RIASEC Change Over Time?

Research suggests that while an individual’s RIASEC code may evolve over time, the fundamental structure remains relatively stable. The change is often in the order of letters rather than completely shifting into a different type. Studies indicate that RIASEC preferences become more defined during adolescence and early adulthood (Low et al., 2005). However, experiences, education, and life events can shift how an individual prioritizes their interests, which is why ongoing career exploration is valuable.

Why RIASEC Matters for Students

As the economy and job market rapidly evolve, students must develop adaptability, self-awareness, and career-connected skills. Traditional pathways to stable careers are shifting due to automation, globalization, and emerging industries. RIASEC empowers students by providing:

• A Common Language for Career Exploration – Students gain concrete, research-backed language to articulate their strengths, interests, and learning styles.
• Self-Knowledge & Purposeful Decision-Making – By identifying their RIASEC profile, students can make informed choices about high school coursework, extracurricular activities, and post-secondary pathways.
• Bidirectional Application – RIASEC is not just about students knowing themselves; it also helps them map their framework onto school content, potential careers, and the people around them. This fosters deeper engagement and relevance in learning.
• Flexible & Future-Forward Mindsets – Rather than locking students into specific careers, RIASEC helps them see how their strengths translate across multiple industries, allowing them to adapt in a changing world.

RIASEC & School: Enhancing Learning & Collaboration

One of the most overlooked benefits of RIASEC is its power to improve heterogeneous groupings in schools. Understanding that students have different cognitive approaches and work styles allows educators to:

• Group students effectively – Diverse RIASEC profiles within a team can lead to richer discussions, stronger collaboration, and more balanced problem-solving.
• Make academic content career-relevant – Teachers can connect math, science, and humanities to real-world applications aligned with different RIASEC strengths.
• Help students develop social-emotional intelligence – By recognizing different working styles, students become more empathetic communicators and team members.

Preparing Students for a Dynamic Future

As jobs become more interdisciplinary, understanding one's strengths through RIASEC allows for greater career agility. Rather than training for a single job, students learn how their skills and interests can evolve across multiple roles. With many future jobs yet to be created, the ability to self-navigate interests, adapt to change, and collaborate with diverse thinkers will be essential for success.

By embedding RIASEC into schools, we equip students not just with academic knowledge, but with the tools to navigate an uncertain and opportunity-rich world.

• Holland, J. L. (1959). A theory of vocational choice. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 6(1), 35-45.
• Low, K. S. D., Yoon, M., Roberts, B. W., & Rounds, J. (2005). The stability of vocational interests from early adolescence to middle adulthood: A quantitative review of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 131(5), 713-737.

National Center for ONET Development. (2024). ONET Interest Profiler. Retrieved from https://www.onetonline.org