The RIASEC model (Holland Codes) — discover your career type
The RIASEC model, also known as Holland Codes, is one of the most widely used tools in career counselling worldwide. Developed by American psychologist John L. Holland, its premise is simple: people and work environments can be described using six types, and the best career fit happens where a person's type matches the type of their work environment.
The six RIASEC types
RIASEC is an acronym for six types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. The table below describes each one along with example degree courses.
| Type | Characteristics | Example degrees |
|---|---|---|
| Realistic (R) | enjoys hands-on, technical work with tools or machines | engineering, automation, construction |
| Investigative (I) | analytical, enjoys solving problems and seeking explanations | computer science, biotechnology, physics |
| Artistic (A) | creative, values originality and freedom of expression | architecture, graphic design, journalism |
| Social (S) | enjoys helping, teaching, supporting other people | psychology, pedagogy, nursing |
| Enterprising (E) | enjoys leading, persuading, pursuing business goals | management, marketing, economics |
| Conventional (C) | values order, precision, working with data and procedures | finance, accounting, administration |
Why do we talk about a "code" rather than a single type?
Very few people fit perfectly into just one type. In practice, most people have a so-called Holland Code — a combination of two or three dominant types, such as "SIA" (Social-Investigative-Artistic) for someone considering art therapy, or "IRC" (Investigative-Realistic-Conventional) for someone interested in data engineering. Knowing your own code lets you search more precisely for degrees and occupations that combine all these elements.
How to find your RIASEC type
The simplest way is to take a reliable test based on this model. At next.movv we built a free, 10-minute online test that determines your RIASEC code and, based on it, suggests specific degrees and occupations — along with indicative salaries, automation risk, and where in Poland to study a given programme. It's a good companion to the more general career aptitude test, if you want to understand exactly what its result is based on.
Limitations of the RIASEC model
The RIASEC model, though popular and well-researched, isn't an oracle. It doesn't account for changing life circumstances, availability of studies in your region, or momentary labour-market trends. It's worth cross-checking its result against real data — such as ELA, the Occupation Barometer, or GUS — before making a final decision. Read more on combining self-knowledge with market data in how to choose a degree course.
The RIASEC model and the Polish labour market
In Poland, the RIASEC model is used, among other things, in school career counselling and in online tools for initial career orientation. Keep in mind that a career type alone says nothing about indicative pay in a given occupation or how much demand exists for it — that information needs to be checked separately, for instance in the Occupation Barometer or on wynagrodzenia.pl.
Example: how a RIASEC code translates into a degree choice
Suppose your test result shows the code "IAS" (Investigative-Artistic-Social). That combination might point towards interest in, say, UX design (combines data analysis with creativity), psychology (combines studying human behaviour with helping others), or science journalism (combines curiosity with communication). Instead of hunting for one "perfect" degree, it's worth reviewing several options that combine your dominant types and cross-checking them against labour-market demand data and the admission requirements of specific universities.
Does your career type change with age?
Research on the RIASEC model shows that a career profile is relatively stable throughout adult life, but it isn't set in stone. Educational experiences, early jobs, or a change of environment can all shape how you perceive your own career preferences. That's why it's best to treat a test result as a snapshot of your current state rather than a lifelong oracle — especially if you took it several years ago.
RIASEC in career-counselling practice
In school career-counselling offices, the RIASEC model is often one of several tools used to start a conversation with a student — read more about how such counselling works and how to make the most of it in our article on career counselling at school. A career counsellor usually doesn't stop at the test result alone — they cross-reference it with subject grades, family plans, and the availability of programmes in the region. If your school has such an office, it's worth coming to the conversation with a completed RIASEC test already in hand — that makes the discussion more concrete, since the counsellor has a starting point for further questions instead of starting from scratch.
Summary
The RIASEC model (Holland Codes) is a well-established tool for an initial mapping of your career interests — it sorts them into six clear types and lets you determine your individual code. It's a good starting point for choosing a degree, as long as you cross-check it with real market data and don't treat it as a final verdict.
Frequently asked questions
What does RIASEC stand for?
RIASEC is an acronym for six career types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.
Who created the RIASEC model?
The model was developed by American psychologist John L. Holland, which is why it's also called Holland Codes.
Can I have more than one type in the RIASEC model?
Yes, most people have a so-called Holland Code — a combination of two or three dominant types — rather than a single pure type.
Does the RIASEC model guarantee the right degree choice?
No, it's a supporting tool. It's worth cross-checking its result against market data and a conversation with a career counsellor before making a final decision.