CAREER DECISION GUIDE    

 

 

 

     This section contains a basic, nonscientific, guide to provide preliminary assistance in matching basic personality traits with possible career options and ideas. The job list is limited and does not attempt to illuminate all career possibilities. For every career listed here, there are many other potential careers. Some careers overlap into more than one personality type and will thus be listed in more than one area.  The brief personality description and reference list is only to give you an idea of what you might enjoy doing. For a more in-depth assessment, there are many professional books and guides for career profile assessments available to help individuals select the career field that is most compatible with their personality and interests.

 

Select the personality trait or interest that best describes you.

 

·       ACCOMMODATING

·       ANIMALS & PLANTS

·       ARTISTIC

·       AUTHORITATIVE & PROTECTIVE

·       BUSINESS & ACCOUNTING

·       ENGINEERING & MECHANICAL

·       HUMANITARIAN

·       INFLUENCIAL ACHIEVER

·       PHYSICAL

·       ROLLING STONE

·       SELLING

·       SCIENTIFIC

 

 

 

 

ACCOMMODATING

 

     Accommodating individuals are those who enjoy entertaining and catering to the needs of others. These individuals often give parties, cook dinners, purchase gifts for others, and do volunteer work. They can prepare for a gathering or event at a moment's notice, or spend countless hours devoted to preparing for a planned event. They are sensitive to the needs of others, experience joy in assisting others in completing tasks, and are rarely sidetracked. These individuals are usually very reliable, reasonably creative, thoughtful, courteous, considered to be good listeners, and are often the catalyst for keeping a group together. Favorite subjects in high school: Home Economics, Mathematics, and Social Studies. Potential appropriate careers for these individuals include the following:

 

Customer Services

 

·         Baker

·         Banker

·         Bank Teller

·         Barber

·         Bartender

·         Beautician

·         Butler

·         Cafeteria Worker

·         Campaign Manager

·         Caterer

·         Cashier

·         Chauffeur

·         Chef

·         Cleaner (home/office)

·         Clerical Worker

·         Counter Clerk

·         Counselor

·         Cosmetologist

·         Curator

·         Daycare Worker

·         Dentist

·         Entertainer

·         Flight Attendant

·         Food Service Worker

·         Hotel Manager

·         Kitchen Worker

·         Laborer

·         Librarian

·         Maid

·         Manicurist

·         Massage Therapist

·         Nurse

·         Party Planner

·         Personal Shopper

·         Physician

·         Purser/Bell Hop

·         Real Estate Agent

·         Receptionist

·         Retail Clerk

·         Secretary

·         Travel Agent

·         Taxi/Bus Driver

·         Teacher

·         Telephone Operator

·         Tour Guide

·         Truck Driver

·         Waiter/Waitress

·         Wedding Coordinator

 

ANIMALS & PLANTS

 

     Individuals who are interested in working with animals or plants are usually the outdoor type and often enjoy working alone. Individuals interested in animals often have patient personalities and a gentle touch. They may volunteer to work at an animal shelter, be known to bring home stray animals, and have several different types of pets at home. Individuals interested in working with plants often garden and enjoy watching plants grow and bloom. They may enjoy designing and planting flower and shrub gardens and display their efforts and creations in their own yard. Favorite subjects in high school: Biology, Chemistry, Geometry, and Science. Potential careers for these type individuals include:

 

Animals

 

·         Animal Breeder

·         Animal Caretaker

·         Animal Trainer

·         Farm Operator/Manager

·         Forestry

·         Game Warden

·         Livestock Rancher

·         Oceanographer

·         Park Ranger

·         Pet Groomer

·         Pet Sitter

·         Pet Store Manager

·         Pet Therapist (Takes animals to visit ill patients.)

·         Taxidermist

·         Veterinarian 

·         Veterinary Assistant

·         Veterinary Nurse

·         Zoologist

 

Plants

 

·         Agricultural Scientist

·         Arborist

·         Botanist

·         Conservationist

·         Ecologist

·         Environmental Scientist

·         Florist

·         Forestry Scientist

·         Forest Ecologist

·         Gardener

·         Horticulturist

·         Landscaper

·         Logger

·         Plants Nursery Grower

·         Plant Pathologist 

 

ARTISTIC

 

     Artistic individuals have an interest in expressing their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a variety of creative ways. While some may enjoy reading, writing, poetry, and literary works, others may enjoy participating in creating or acting in plays, skits, music, dance, and talent contests. Artistic individuals are often multitalented and able to draw, sketch, paint, sculpt, or design craft projects. They enjoy being in groups but usually like to be alone when creating. Favorite subjects in high school: Art, Chorus, Drama, History, Home Economics, Language Arts, Literature, Music/Band, and Speech.  Potential careers for these individuals would include the following:

 

Literary Arts                                                                

                                       

·         Archivist                   

·         Editor

·         Film Critic

·         Historian

·         Interpreter

·         Journalist

·         Language Teacher

·         Librarian

·         Literary Agent

·         Literary Critic

·         Personal Secretary

·         Proofreader

·         Publisher

·         Reporter

 

Performing Arts

 

·         Actor/Actress

·         Auctioneer

·         Broadcaster

·         Choreographer

·         Dancer

·         Demonstrator

·         Disc Jockey

·         Entertainer

·         Entertainment Director

·         Film Studio Worker

·         Model

·         Musician

·         Public Communications Broadcaster

·         Public Interviewer

·         Radio Announcer

·         Set/Stage Designer

·         Singer

·         Speech/Drama Teacher

·         Stage Worker

·         Wardrobe Manager

 

Creative Arts 

         

·         Architect

·         Art & Home Economics Teacher

·         Artist (Draw, Paint, Sculpt, or Mold)

·         Chef

·         Clothing Designer

·         Cosmetologist

·         Ceramic Designer

·         Display Designer

·         Draftsman

·         Engraver

·         Film/Camera Operator

·         Film Producer/Director

·         Florist

·         Furniture Designer

·         Jewelry Designer

·         Hairdresser/ Barber

·         Illustrator

·         Interior Designer

·         Make-up Artist

·         Photojournalist

·         Photographer

·         Playwright

·         Window Dresser

·         Writer/Novelist

·         Wood Carver

·         Video Productionist

 

AUTHORITATIVE & PROTECTIVE

 

     These individuals are often the take-charge people who step forward in leadership roles. They enjoy serving on committees, running for class offices, leading group projects, and making presentations. They are confident, independent, often vocal about their feelings and thoughts, and participate in rallies for causes in which they believe. Favorite subjects in high school: American History, World History, U.S. Government, and Science. Potential careers for these individuals would include the following:

 

Authoritative

 

·         Administrator/CEO

·         Banker

·         Bounty Hunter

·         Building Inspector

·         Business Manager

·         Claims Investigator

·         Court Deputy/ Bailiff

·         Criminologist

·         Customs Inspector

·         Food & Drug Inspector

·         Game Keeper

·         Game Warden

·         General Inspector

·         General Investigator

·         Judge

·         Law Enforcement Officer

·         Martial Arts Instructor

·         Park Ranger

·         Private Detective

·         Safety Inspector

 

Protective

 

·         Animal Shelter Worker

·         Boarder Patrol Agent

·         Body Guard

·         Bouncer

·         Child Care Worker

·         Conservationist

·         Dog Catcher

·         Fire Fighter

·         Foster Parent

·         Law Enforcement Officer

·         Lawyer

·         Paramedic

·         Prison Guard

·         Medical/Healthcare Worker

·         Nursing Home Manager

·         Security Guard

·         Social Worker

·         Social Scientist

·         Youth Home Manager

 

BUSINESS & ACCOUNTING

 

     Business-minded individual are organized, enjoy activities requiring accuracy, pay close attention to detail, and prefer routine tasks. These individuals can often produce a miniature stapler, calculator, paper clips, rubber bands, and even tape from a backpack, notebook, or purse while in a study group or classroom. They are most comfortable indoors and like to have large and organized workspaces, and almost always know the correct date. Favorite subjects in school: Accounting, Business, Economics, Mathematics, Reading, and Spelling. Potential careers for these type individuals would include:

 

Business

 

·         Archivist

·         Administrator

·         Administrative Manager

·         Administrative Secretary

·         Analyst

·         Buyer/Procurement

·         Business Owner

·         Clerk Typist

·         Clerical Worker

·         Computer Operator

·         Conference Manager

·         Court Clerk

·         Data Entry Keyer

·         Dispatcher

·         Executive Secretary

·         File Clerk

·         General Office Manager

·         Keypunch Operator

·         Marketing Assistant/Director

·         Medical Records Clerk

·         Personnel Manager

·         Postal Clerk/Mail Carrier

·         Purchasing Agent

·         Telephone Operator

·         Transcriber

·         Travel Agent

·         Typist/Word Processor

·         Receptionist

·         Secretary

·         Stenographer

·         Store Manager

·         Switchboard Operator

 

Accounting

 

·         Accountant

·         Accounting Technician

·         Accounts Manager

·         Actuary

·         Auditing Clerk

·         Auditor

·         Bank Teller

·         Billing Clerk

·         Bookkeeper

·         Cashier

·         Estate Manager

·         Finance Manager

·         Financial Analyst

·         Income Tax Preparer

·         Payroll Manager

·         Records Clerk

·         Securities Analyst

·         Shipping/Receiving Clerk

·         Tax Assessor

·         Treasurer

 

ENGINEERING & MECHANICAL

 

     Individual who are mechanically inclined enjoy using machines and hand tools to complete projects. They often enjoy working on several projects at the same time and are able to pay attention to the small details. They are the people who throw away the instruction sheet because they would rather figure out how to put something together by themselves. Favorite subjects in high school: Geometry, Mathematics, Science, Metal Shop, Wood Shop, Work Shop, and Auto Shop. Potential careers for these type individuals would include: 

 

Engineering

 

·         Aerospace Engineer

·         Computer Scientist/Engineer

·         Biomedical Engineer

·         Chemical Engineer

·         Civil Engineer

·         Environmental Engineer

·         Electrical Engineer

·         Electronic Engineer

·         Explosive Engineer

·         Heavy Equipment Engineer

·         Industrial Engineer

·         Manufacturing Engineer

·         Mechanical Engineer

·         Mining Engineer

·         Naval Engineer

·         Nuclear Engineer

·         Optical Engineer

·         Safety Engineer

·         Technical Engineer

·         Tool & Die Programmer

·         Transportation Engineer

 

Mechanical & Technical

 

·         Appliance Repair Technician

·         Aircraft Mechanic

·         Auto Body Repair Technician

·         Automotive Mechanic

·         Cable Repair Technician

·         Communications Repair Technician

·         Computer Technician

·         Data Analyst

·         Data Processor

·         Electrician

·         General Electronic Technician/Mechanic

·         General Equipment Mechanic

·         General Equipment Operator

·         General Maintenance Mechanic

·         Heavy Equipment Mechanic

·         Heavy Equipment Operator

·         Lathe Operator

·         Plumber

·         Sheet Metal Molder/Cutter

·         Small Engine Mechanic

·         Welder

 

Construction

 

·         Bricklayer/Stonemason

·         Building Inspector

·         Construction Worker

·         Contractor

·         Carpenter

·         Cement Mason

·         Drafter

·         Drilling & Boring Contractor

·         Drywall Hanger

·         Fence Installer

·         Framer

·         Insulation Installer

·         Roofer

·         Heavy Equipment Operator

·         Paper Hanger

·         Painter

·         Pipeline Contractor

·         Plasterer

·         Road Construction Worker

·         Siding Contractor

·         Swimming Pool Contractor

·         Tile-Ceramic Installer

 

HUMANITARIAN

 

     Humanitarian individuals have a desire to help others with their mental, physical, social, spiritual, and vocational needs. These individuals enjoy communicating ideas to others with the goal of enlightening them or encouraging them. They have a strong personality, are self-confident, possess emotional sensitivity and strength, are not afraid to stand up for their beliefs, and have a strong set of principals. Humanitarian individuals have a deep need to assist other and often express frustration about what they believe to be unjust. Favorite subjects in high school: Health & Safety, Humanities, Speech, and Social Studies. Potential careers for these type individuals would include the following:

 

Medical & Specialized Services

 

·         Cardiovascular Technician

·         Counselor

·         Emergency Medical Technician

·         Dentist

·         Dental Hygienist

·         Health Aid/Assistant

·         Home Health Worker

·         Medical Assistant

·         Medical Case Manager

·         Nurse

·         Nurse Practitioner

·         Paramedic

·         Respiratory Therapist

·         Speech Therapist

·         Surgeon

·         Physical Therapist

·         Physician

·         Physician Assistant

·         Occupational Therapist

·         Optometrist

·         Orthopedist

·         Mental Health Therapist

·         Psychiatrist

·         Psychologist

 

Social Services

 

·         Advocate

·         Career Advisor

·         Child Care Provider

·         Child Welfare Worker

·         Community Service Worker

·         Driving Instructor

·         Drug & Alcohol Abuse Counselor

·         Educational Counselor

·         Educational Tutor

·         Family Counselor

·         Foster Parent

·         Human Services Manager/Worker

·         Marriage Counselor

·         Park Manager/Worker

·         Parole Officer

·         Recreation Worker

·         Rehabilitation Counselor

·         Reporter

·         Resident Counselor

·         Political Agent

·         Politician

·         Public Relations Manager

·         Social Worker

·         Special Educational Instructor

·         Teacher

·         Urban Planner

·         Youth Leader

·         Vocational Counselor

·         Vocational Instructor

 

Spiritual

 

·         Activities Director

·         Protestant Minister

·         Jewish Rabbi

·         Catholic Priest

·         Drug & Alcohol Abuse Counselor

·         Family Counselor

·         Hospital Chaplain

·         Marriage Counselor

·         Medical Missionary

·         Missionary

·         Nun

·         Recreational Facility Worker

·         Spiritual Counselor

·         Spiritual Band Member/Musician

·         Spiritual Service Worker

·         Spiritual Singer/Entertainer

·         Spiritual Song Writer

·         Youth Minister/Director

 

INFLUENCIAL LEADERSHIP

    

     Influential individuals are often considered the brains of the class because they usually make perfect grades and take upper level courses such as physics and statistics. They enjoy school and participate in school projects and science fairs. These individuals are often the tutors for the more basic classes and have a way of easily explaining complex problems to their peers. Influential individuals have strong verbal and numerical abilities and are most satisfied when tackling some type of complex problem or question. These individuals are aggressive, inquisitive, independent, logical, and self-confident. Favorite subjects in high school: English, Science, Mathematics, Foreign Language, Health & Safety, Speech, and upper level electives. Potential careers for these individuals include:

 

Mathematics

 

·         Actuary

·         Analyst

·         Astronomer

·         Computer Scientist

·         Computer Programmer

·         Economist

·         Data Processor

·         Data Processing Manager

·         Financial Administrator

·         General Engineer

·         Horologist

·         Inventor

·         Mathematician

·         Metallurgist

·         Navigator

·         Statistician

·         Systems Analyst

·         Surveyor

·         Robotics Programmer

 

Education

 

·         Administrator

·         Archivists

·         College/University Teacher

·         Curator

·         Educational Coordinator

·         Dietitian

·         Headmaster

·         Historian

·         Interpreter

·         Investigator

·         Job Analysts

·         Lecturer

·         Librarian

·         Linguist

·         Professor

·         School Principal

 

Research and Science

 

·         Archeologist

·         Avionics Researcher

·         Economic Research

·         Ergonomic Scientist

·         Conservation Scientist

·         Forensic Anthropologist

·         Forensic Scientist

·         Forestry Scientist

·         General Chemist

·         Laboratory Scientist

·         Material Scientist

·         Medical Scientist

·         Medical Researcher

·         Meteorologist

·         Microbiologist

·         Physicist

·         Social Scientist

·         Physical Scientist

 

PHYSICAL

   

     Physical individuals enjoy participating in activities that require physical strength and endurance. They are members of sports teams and regularly compete in sports events. They are physically fit and spend a scheduled amount of time in training. Physical individuals often give up other activities if that activity will interfere with training. These individuals may satisfy their need for physical activity by pursuing careers that require an above normal level of daily physical activity. Favorite subjects in high school: Health and Physical Education. Potential careers for these individuals would include:

 

Careers

 

·         Acrobat

·         Athletic Trainer

·         Bicycle Courier

·         Coach

·         Construction Worker

·         Dock Loader/Worker

·         Groundskeeper

·         Gymnastics Instructor

·         Health Club Worker

·         Jockey

·         Landscaper

·         Life Guard

·         Martial Arts Instructor

·         Mountain Guide

·         Personal Health Trainer

·         Physical Education Teacher

·         Professional Athlete

·         Recreational Manager

·         Recreational Planner

·         Referee

·         Rodeo Performer

·         Stunt Performer

·         Swimming Instructor

·         Umpire

·         Yoga Instructor

 

ROLLING STONE

 

     Rolling stone individuals have a difficult time committing to one activity, task, or interest for an extended period of time. These individuals have a variety of interests, a wealth of diverse knowledge, and are commonly referred to as a Jack-of-All-Trades. Rolling stone individuals are good with people, enjoy social settings, are instantly ready to fix any problem, and can move-on to the next adventure at the drop of a hat. These individuals select jobs that can easily be filled, require no specialized education, and require no contractual commitment. Favorite subjects in high school: Art, Auto Shop, Metal Shop, Wood Shop, and Work Shop. Potential careers for these individuals would include:

 

Mobility Maximized Jobs

 

·         Band Roadie

·         Bartender

·         Bingo Caller

·         Carnival Worker

·         Casino Worker

·         Chimney Sweep

·         Commercial Ship Worker

·         Construction Worker

·         Convenience Store Clerk

·         Cruise Ship Attendant

·         Dancer

·         Farmhand/Field Worker

·         Gas Station Attendant

·         Handyman

·         Kitchen Worker

·         Maid

·         Parking Lot Attendant

·         Rodeo Worker

·         Sales Clerk

·         Salesperson

·         Shelf Stocker

·         Stage Hand

·         Ticket Taker

·         Waiter/Waitress

 

SELLING

 

     Individuals who are sellers have a unique way of persuading others to view the positive side of product promotions. They have dynamic, outgoing, confident personalities and are often fun to be around because of their antics. They have the ability to take an unimportant event or item and turn it into profit. Sellers enjoy finding new ways to introduce products, are great risk-takers, can side-tack the most alert person, and enjoy the battle of negotiations. They can be aggressive to the point of irritation and rarely take negative comments personally. Favorite subjects in high school: Business, Economics, History, Humanities, Mathematics, and Speech. Potential careers for these individuals include:

 

General Sales

 

·         Appraiser

·         Appliance Dealer

·         Art Dealer

·         Automotive Dealer

·         Boat Dealer

·         Book Dealer

·         Broker

·         Carnival Worker

·         Door-to-Door Salesperson

·         Employment Recruiter

·         Financial Security Marketer

·         Tool Dealer

·         Real Estate Agent

·         Retail Sales Clerk

 

Business Sales

 

·         Advertising Agent

·         Clothing Marketer

·         Communications Consultant

·         Financial Securities Marketer

·         Fund Raising Consultant

·         Industrial Sales Consultant

·         Insurance Agent

·         Jewelry Dealer

·         Manufactured Product Marketer

·         Mortgage Broker

·         Mutual Fund Consultant/Marketer

·         Mobil Home Dealer

·         Negotiator

·         Public Relation Manager

·         Sales Instructor

·         Telemarketer

·         Travel Agent

·         Wholesale Sales Representative

 

SCIENTIFIC

 

     Scientific individuals are curious about why things in our world happen the way they do. They may enjoy collecting and identifying different species of insects or plant samples. They enjoy objective problem solving by researching and sifting through related information in order to draw conclusions. They enjoy complicated equations and questions that may take them months to solve. Favorite subjects in high school: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Science, Physical Science, and Physics. Potential careers for these individuals would include the following:

 

Laboratory Science & Technology

 

·         Bacteriologist

·         Biochemist

·         Biologist

·         Chemist

·         Cytologist

·         Forensic Anthropologist

·         Forensic Dentist

·         Forensic Scientist

·         Geneticist

·         Hematologist

·         Histotechnologist

·         Laboratory Technologist

·         Medical Scientist

·         Medical/Dental Technologist

·         Microbiologist

·         Pharmacist

·         Phlebotomist

·         Physicist

·         Scientist

 

Life Sciences

 

·         Agriculture Scientist

·         Biomedical Engineer

·         Biological Scientist

·         Biophysicist

·         Botanist

·         Conservationist

·         Dietitian/Nutritionist

·         Forestry

·         Geochemist

·         Physicist

·         Social Scientist

·         Zoologist

 

Medical Sciences

 

·         Anesthesiologist

·         Audiologist

·         Chiropractor

·         Coroner

·         Dentist

·         Embalmer

·         Forensic Anthropologist

·         Forensic Dentist

·         Forensic Scientist

·         Microbiologist

·         Mortuary Scientist

·         Nurse

·         Nurse Practitioner

·         Optometrist

·         Pharmacologist

·         Physician

·         Physician Assistant

·         Podiatrist

·         Psychologist

·         Radiologist

·         Speech-Language Pathologist

 

Physical Sciences

 

·         Anthropologist

·         Applied Mathematician

·         Agronomist

·         Archaeologist

·         Astronomer

·         Astrophysicist

·         Earth Scientist

·         Data Processor

·         Geologist

·         Geophysicist

·         Material Engineer

·         Meteorologist

·         Physical Scientist

·         Physicist

·         Robotic Scientist

·         Social Scientist

·         Statistician