Class Reunion

Use your imagination to picture yourself at your 10- or 20-year class reunion. Everyone is there when you arrive, and they have already congregated according to similar interests. You are wondering with whom you want to spend the evening. Which topics of conversation will be most appealingto you? Which groups will have people with the same interests as you?

Instructions

Wander from group to group on the following pages and read the description of each group. Ask yourself if you are interested in this conversation. Would you have anything to talk about with these people? Would you want to know these people, spend more time with them?

Underline or highlight any interests or activities that you share with the members of each group. If you prefer, you can cross out the activities that do not interest you.

When you have circulated around the room, decide which two orthree groups most closely match your own interests. Decide first which is the closest. Then decide which other one or two groups also interest you. Write the letters that represent those top groups (in order of preference or strength) in the space provided on the last page.

Note:

You may find it quite easy to identify one group that closely matches your own interests, but have difficulty identifying the second and third groups. That is okay: you can choose just one group.

Or you may be equally interested in several groups. If so, do any of the groups draw you more strongly?

On the other hand, you may find it easy to identify certain groups that do not interest you, or that you would not want to join. That is good information too because it shows where you do not want to be.

R / Realistic people are intrigued by the inner workings of things. They enjoy working with technology, tools, machines, and equipment. They are curious about knowing how things work, finding better ways to solve problems, or redesigning processes, systems, and operations. They prefer concrete problems to ambiguous, abstract problems, and want to see tangible results. For recreation, they like to be outdoors, be physically active, or build and fix things. They read computer magazines and technical manuals for fun; they are excited when the office installs new computer hardware. In short, realistic people are excited by the possibility that things can be tinkered with and improved. They like to solve problems by DOING.
I / Investigative people love to think and talk about abstract ideas. They are more interested in the ‘why’ of a strategy rather than the ‘how’. They enjoy pondering ‘big picture’ concepts, gathering information, uncovering new facts or theories, and analyzing and interpreting data. They are often drawn to academic or research environments and enjoy pursuing advanced degrees. For fun, investigative people like to tinker with computers, do puzzles or read mysteries, or watch nature or scientific television programs. They often prefer to work independently, relying on themselves rather than on others in a group project. They like to solve problems by THINKING.
A / Artistic people are often seen as imaginative, out-of-the-box thinkers. They thrive on newness, making something original, and coming up with unconventional ideas. Many of them have a passion for the arts, but others do not. Artistic types frequently express their artistic interests in leisure or recreational activities (designing, writing, performing, creating artwork, playing musical instruments, etc.), as well as in career activities. Often you can tell an artistic person merely by their choice of unconventional clothing, but certainly you can recognize them by how excited they are when talking about their latest creative production. Many artistic types prefer to work independently. They like to solve problems by being CREATIVE.
S / Social people like to work with other people. They enjoy teaching and guiding others in a mentoring, coaching, or counselling capacity. They like to help others grow and improve and are drawn to organizations that provide services they perceive to hold a high social value. They like to work with groups through leading discussions, soliciting input, offering feedback, and acknowledging feelings. Many are drawn to hobbies and volunteer work that allow them to perform hands-on community service. They like to solve problems by using their FEELINGS.
E / Enterprising people enjoy working with people too, but in a different way. They derive a great deal of satisfaction from working with and managing people in order to accomplish goals and outcomes. Selling, purchasing, political manoeuvring, entertaining clients, leading committees or groups, and giving speeches or talks are activities that provide satisfaction. Even when they were kids, Enterprising people often liked to organize activities; they like to make things happen and tend to ask for as much responsibility as possible in any work situation. Enterprising people may like to take financial and interpersonal risks and to participate in competitive activities. They solve problems by TAKING CHARGE.
C / Conventional people like activities that require organization, attention to detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and may gravitate towards activities that involve numbers. They may enjoy conducting financial analysis, forecasting, building systems procedures, setting up accounting practices, analysing research data, studying charts and graphs, etc. They prefer to use quantitative analysis in order to figure out business solutions, forecast future performance, determine optimal production, undertake organizational analysis, etc. Conventional people prefer hobbies and recreational activities where they follow directions (whether it is recipes, patterns, rules, instructional manuals, etc.). They solve problems by BEING METHODICAL.

The top 2 or 3 themes (R I A S E C) most similar to me are:

These themes likely represent long-held interests for certain types of activities, and therefore, hold a vital clue to the kinds of work that you might enjoy doing.

Nova Scotia Public Service Commission / 1