IDEAS, published by National Computer Systems, was developed by Dr. Charles Johansson who currently directs the Minnesota Statewide Testing Program at the University of Minnesota. The IDEAS profile is standardized for middle school, high school and adults. The high, average, and low scores are in comparison to others in their age group.

IDEAS can be administered easily within a 50-minute class period. Individuals are given 128 questions for which they select the "smiley face" that best reflects their interest level. After answering all the questions, they are prompted to see their results. This is a profile of how their responses are grouped into sixteen broad areas. Interest Areas that show the highest scores are good places to begin exploring. Areas that show low scores may not provide much future satisfaction. A list and description of Interest Areas is included as an appendix in the curriculum material.

Remember there are no right or wrong scores. Everyone is unique. Also, IDEAS only measures interests. There are other important considerations that may influence one's career choice. For example, careers require different skills and differ in pay scales. This said, understanding one's interests is considered one of the best ways to begin exploring careers.

Printed IDEAS Profile
Users may also print their profile. The printout is a bar graph representing how responses fit each of the 16 occupational interest areas. Raw scores appear at the bottom just above the interest area. Standard scores appear along the left margin. These scores are divided into low, average, and high interests.

Holland Themes
Across the top the interest areas are divided into six categories, or themes. These are called the Holland Personality Types. Considered a standard model in the field of career development, they were developed after many years of research by Dr. John Holland. His theory is based on the assumption that job satisfaction rests heavily on compatibility with personality type.

Holland defined six basic personality types and work environments. Many other career information resources and assessment instruments refer to the Holland themes. The following is a general description of each category:

Realistic: You like to work with things you can see and touch. You prefer things that seem real rather than ideas or concepts. You enjoy mechanical and/or athletic tasks. You like to fix things or put things together.

Investigative: You enjoy logical thinking and like to understand how things work. You like scientific and mathematical tasks. You are good at solving problems.

Artistic: You enjoy art, dancing, acting, and music. You like to express yourself freely and you enjoy variety and creativity.

Social: You like to work with people. You enjoy solving problems by talking about them. You like helping, understanding, and teaching others. You are friendly and you care about the feelings of others.

Enterprising: You like to lead others. You enjoy competition and like to be in control. You are willing to be responsible for getting your work done and for supervising others.

Conventional: You like to keep things in order. You like clear rules and instructions. You are good with details and very careful to do things the right way.

IDEAS INTEREST AREAS

Mechanical/Fixing - Using tools to repair or fix things, such as a broken radio, is an interest for this area. Being a mechanic, making things out of wood, and fixing things around the house are all measured by this scale. Mechanics and service repair technicians have high scores on this scale.

Protective Services - Serving the community by providing security and law enforcement is an interest of this area, Groups with high scores include police officers, fire fighters, security guards, military personnel, correction officers, and detectives.

Nature/Outdoors - Being outside, growing flowers, going through the woods, and planting trees are types of activities for this area. Related occupations are those of gardener, forester, conservation officer, farmer, and agricultural scientist.

Mathematics - Interests in this area relate to studying algebra and geometry, working with mathematical formulas, and solving mathematical puzzles. Occupations with high scores in this area include mathematician, engineer, economist, math-science teacher, and computer scientist.

Science - Studying the efforts of gravity, working in a research laboratory, reading books on science, and doing scientific experiments are activities liked by laboratory technicians, research workers, chemists, biologists, and other scientists.

Medical - Giving medical help to people, being part of a medical operating team, doing research on diseases, and improving the health of others are interests of nurses, physicians, laboratory technicians, and other medical professionals.

Creative Arts - Fine arts activities, such as drawing, sketching, and going to art galleries, as well as hobby pastimes, such as making pottery or rugs are activities liked by interior designers, fashion designers, artists, and other creative types of people.

Writing - Writing poetry, studying literature and poetry, and writing novels or magazine stories are activities liked by reporters, writers, librarians, and journalists.

Community Service - Being with people and helping them, working with a group on a project, helping someone solve personal problems, and doing volunteer work are interests related to being a high school counselor, social worker, marriage counselor, or psychologist.

Educating - Helping individuals learn, especially in school, is an important interest of this area. Giving instructions to individuals, such as being a driving instructor, swimming instructor, or an educator are interests of high school teachers, elementary school teachers, college instructors, and teacher aides.

Child Care - Being with children, such as taking care of them, helping them with a spelling lesson, or directing a children's play are interests related to being a nursery school teacher, elementary school teacher, child development specialist, and day care provider.

Public Speaking - Debating, leading discussions, interviewing, and speaking up for personal viewpoints are activities liked by public officials, religious leaders, lawyers, newspaper reporters, and others in similar careers.

Business - Interviewing people for a job, being a supervisor, manager, and leader are interests of people who like to be in charge of a business, organization, or group of workers.

Sales - Activities that involve selling something to people are included in this area. People who like to be with the public in this way enjoy selling, persuading people to buy something, and studying sales/marketing techniques. In general, many sales occupations are part of this area.

Office Practices - Typing letters or reports, filing records, and studying bookkeeping and office tasks are related to occupations such as secretary, receptionist, bookkeeper, and administrative assistant.

Food Service - Preparing food, trying new recipes, working in a kitchen, and studying home economics are activities related to working in a restaurant, or being a food service manager, caterer, or restaurant manager.