Interests Indicate preferences for work environments. We use the O*NET taxonomy that is  compatible with Holland's (1985, 1997) model of personality types and work environments. Six interest categories are used to describe the work environment of occupations: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. The details are provided below

  • Realistic - Realistic indidviduals like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations where realistic individuals work require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Investigative - Investigative individuals like to work with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These individuals often involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
  • Artistic - Artistic individuals frequently work with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and need work that can be acomplished without following a clear set of rules.
  • Social - Social individuals frequently work with, communicating with, and teaching people. These individuals prefer occupations that often involve helping or providing service to others.
  • Enterprising - Enterprising individuals frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These individuals like working in occupations that involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
  • Conventional - Conventional individuals like work that involves following set procedures and routines. These individuals like occupations that can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually they prefer work environments where there is a clear line of authority to follow.

For more details refer O*NET