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CHAPTER 2
TRAIT AND FACTOR THEORY
EXERCISE 2.1
ABILITIES AND INTERESTS
Please rank the types of work that are listed below. You need only to rank your top 5, but can rank more if
you wish. Assign a (1) to the type of work that you have the most interest in and sufficient aptitude or
ability in to do it now or in the future. Assign a (2) to your second choice, and so forth. If you are not
sure, you can guess. Some titles are general — you will be able to specify more clearly later. Use interest
rather than ability as your primary guide in ranking these work activities. (This list is based on the Guide
for Occupational Exploration (1979) that is shown in Table 2-8 [p.46] in the text.)
Artistic
__Literary Arts
__Visual Arts
__Performing arts: Drama
Scientific
__Physics, chemistry, geology, and similar
__Life sciences
__Medical sciences
Plants and Animals
__Managerial work with plants
Protective
__Law enforcement
__Security services
Mechanical
__Engineering
__Engineering technology
__Equipment operation
Industrial
__Production technology
__Production work
__Quality control
Business Detail
Selling
__Technical sales
__General sales
__Vending
__Customer services
__Attendant (such as flight)
Humanitarian
__Social services
__Nursing
__Teaching
__Mathematics and statistics
__Education administration
__Library services
__Social research
__Law
__Business administration
__Marketing
__Enforcement of regulations
Physical Performing
__Sports
__Physical feats
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EXERCISE 2.2
VALUES
Please rank the values that are listed below. Rank your top 5 (or more, if you wish). Assign a (1) to the
value that is most important to you now. Assign a (2) to your second choice, and so forth. If you are not
sure, you can guess. These are values that are related to work, rather than general life values.
__Advancing on a job
__Security in a job
__Being looked up to by others
__Having fun
__Helping people with personal problems
__Improving society
__Taking risks
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EXERCISE 2.3
FINDING OCCUPATIONS THAT MATCH YOUR ABILITIES,
INTERESTS, AND VALUES
E. 1. Use the rankings that you made in Exercises 2.1 and 2.2 to identify careers. Please write your
highest rankings on the lines below.
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E. 3. What important aspects of your views of your career choice are included in this quick approach to
finding a career choice?
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