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Best Jobs for the Investigative Holland Code?

By Kaila Kea
best-jobs-for-the-investigative-holland-code

What Is the Investigative Holland Code Personality Type?

In 1959, sociology professor John L. Holland devised six codes to describe the strengths of fundamental personality types. If you are an Investigative type, you tend to employ an analytical approach to life and work. You take an interest in math and science, valuing the concrete details offered by numbers, figures, and theories. You find pleasure in satisfying your curiosity by conducting research, reading, and doing experiments. Investigative types tend to be pensive, and considering how thing work and how to improve processes.

Use your Holland code to think about what career opportunities might be the best fit for your strengths and interests.

What are the Best Careers for Investigative Types?

Investigative types shine in careers in math, science, IT, finance, and education. Careers in these fields enable Investigative types to exercise their skills in analysis, research, experimentation, and problem-solving.


10 Professions for an Investigative Job Candidate

Here are ten careers that are well-suited for Investigative job candidates, along with other Holland codes that are a good fit for these professions.

Strategic Planners define and arrange a company’s goals and objectives. This includes evaluating the company’s efforts to meet goals and identifying potential areas of improvement.

Associated Holland Codes for this career: Social, Conventional

Academic majors to consider:

  • Business

  • General Management

  • Finance

  • Communications

  • Public Administration

Statisticians investigate and solve practical problems in various fields through theory and analysis, collecting and analyzing data, and designing and executing experiments. While the nature of their work may vary from role to role, Statisticians are consistently expected to analyze and resolve issues using numbers and figures.

Associated Holland Codes for this career: Realistic, Conventional

Academic majors to consider:

  • Statistics

  • Mathematics

  • Economics

Businesses collect information to find out details about their consumer base and determine the best use of their resources. Data Analysts use this information to advise on how to make decisions that result in greater profit, fewer losses, and happier customers.

Associated Holland Codes for this career: Realistic, Enterprising

Academic majors to consider:

  • Information Technology

  • Business, Management

  • Information Systems

When a contractor or developer wants to build something, they usually have to consult a Regional Planner. Regional Planners inform inquiring parties about using land by assessing factors that impact land use and gathering information about the land.

Associated Holland Codes for this career: Realistic, Artistic

Academic majors to consider:

  • Urban Planning

  • Architectural Design

Medical Researchers collect information and conduct studies on medical topics. They often present their findings in scholarly journals and at conferences, as their primary goal is to advance knowledge about medical conditions.

Associated Holland Codes for this career: Social, Conventional

Academic majors to consider:

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Health Sciences

Economists use research to draw conclusions about how the economy has been impacted or how it will be impacted in the future. These professionals may fulfill roles for government bodies or private organizations.

Associated Holland Codes for this career: Investigative, Enterprising

Academic majors to consider:

  • Economics

  • Mathematics

  • Finance

Industrial Engineers devise plans for making the manufacturing process as efficient as possible. While some Industrial Engineers work in an office environment, others work in the settings that they are assessing for improvement, such as factories and plants.

Associated Holland Codes for this career: Realistic, Conventional

Academic majors to consider:

  • Engineering

  • Industrial Engineering

Businesses rely on Business Analysts to present information that will advance the company’s growth. The Analysts compile this information into reports and spreadsheets to support their suggestions for company changes.

Associated Holland Codes for this career: Social, Conventional

Academic majors to consider:

  • Business Administration

  • Business Management

  • Computer Science

Organization is key for efficient operations, so businesses depend on Logistics Managers to ensure that they are well-organized. Logistics Managers also oversee the process by which a company orders, stores, transports, and distributes goods.

Associated Holland Codes for this career: Enterprising, Conventional

Academic majors to consider:

  • Logistics and Materials Management

  • Business

  • Public Administration

The most common duties of an Auditor include informing taxpayers of IRS regulations, inspecting the tax history of individuals and companies, and assessing risks that taxpayers may face. Since tax laws change, Auditors must update their knowledge regularly.

Associated Holland Codes for this career: Realistic, Conventional

Academic majors to consider:

  • Actuarial Science

  • Finance


Another Way Think About It:

The Holland personality codes overlap with several of the Myers Briggs personality descriptors. The Investigative Holland code is most closely associated with the following Myers Briggs types:

Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, Perception

You are innovative and take delight in researching and creating.

Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, Judgement

You are an insightful observer, who can easily make sense of things but prefer to do things that others deem nonsensical.

Extraversion, Intuition, Thinking, Perception

You dance to the beat of your own drum, particularly when it comes to challenging social norms and scientific theories.

Extraversion, Intuition, Thinking, Judgement

You welcome a challenge, using it to relentlessly pursue your goals.


Written by Kaila Kea.

Kaila Kea

Kaila Kea is a career coach and former contributor to the ZipRecruiter blog. She is based in Hampton, Virginia.

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