John L. Holland

[1][5] Holland joined the army after graduating from college, becoming engaged in the events of World War II.

He stayed with the army as a private until 1946, working as "a classification interviewer, test proctor, paralegal clerk, laborer, squadron clerk, psychological assistant, and Wechsler test administrator [.... this experience] led to his belief that many people exemplify common psychological types, although his training had fostered the belief that people are infinitely complex.

"[1] After leaving the army, he entered a doctoral program in psychology at the University of Minnesota, receiving a master's degree in 1947 and a Ph.D. in 1952.

[1] He finally produced a dissertation that explored "speculations about art and personality [....] This topic did not set well with fellow students or faculty despite its straightforward empirical design.

[2] Holland joined Johns Hopkins University's Sociology department in 1969, where he published some of his most important research on personality and career choice.

"[3] Holland originally labeled his six types as "motoric, intellectual, esthetic, supportive, persuasive, and conforming.

"[3] He later developed and changed them to: Realistic (Doers), Investigative (Thinkers), Artistic (Creators), Social (Helpers), Enterprising (Persuaders), and Conventional (Organizers).

[1] The US Department of Labor ETA has been using an updated and expanded version of the RIASEC model in the "Interests" section of its free online database, The Occupational Information Network (O*NET),[12] since its inception during the late 1990s.