Applying an occupational classification to a representative sample of work histories

Abstract

Applied the J. Holland occupational classification to a national sample of 973 retrospective work histories to test the predictive efficiency of the classification and related hypotheses from Holland's theory of careers. Analyses were performed by organizing and reorganizing the work histories according to the classification. The classification appears to order lower level occupational histories in an efficient way, well beyond chance. Also all 3 letters in the Realistic code appear to have predictive validity. Results suggest that the theory can be applied to both adult work histories and vocational choices of high school and college students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)