Type S
Social
Work of this type is measured in what changes for another person. They learned something, felt better or found a way through.
People with a strong Social pull read a room quickly. They notice when someone has gone quiet, and they would rather explain something a third way than leave a person behind. Being useful to someone specific matters more to them than the prestige of the task.
Teachers, nurses, counselors, social workers and therapists are the core of this group, along with coaches, trainers, community organizers and many customer-facing roles. Some Social jobs need years of study and a license. Others, such as home care or classroom support, can begin with short training.
The cost is emotional load. Caring work can take more than it gives when caseloads run high or support runs thin. If you score high here, ask how a workplace protects its people as carefully as you ask what the job does.
What tends to energize
- Seeing someone improve
- Conversations that matter
- Working as part of a team
- Knowing who your work helps
What tends to drain
- Working alone for long stretches
- Treating people as numbers
- Competition inside the team
On the compass, Social sits between Artistic and Enterprising, the two types it has most in common with. Realistic sits directly across from it.
Careers led by Social
128 occupations in our library have Social as their top interest. A sample across preparation levels:
- Home Health AidesSRC · Some preparation
- Childcare WorkersSAC · Some preparation
- Psychiatric AidesSIC · Some preparation
- NanniesSAC · Some preparation
- Personal Care AidesSCR · Some preparation
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special EducationSAC · Medium preparation
- Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special EducationSCE · Medium preparation
- Nursing AssistantsSRC · Medium preparation
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsSRE · Medium preparation
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesSRC · Medium preparation
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationSAC · Considerable preparation
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationSAC · Considerable preparation
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationSAC · Considerable preparation
- Registered NursesSCI · Considerable preparation
- Coaches and ScoutsSER · Considerable preparation
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and AdvisorsSCE · Extensive preparation
- Mental Health CounselorsSIC · Extensive preparation
- Speech-Language PathologistsSIC · Extensive preparation
- Occupational TherapistsSIR · Extensive preparation
- ClergySEA · Extensive preparation
Find your own mix
Most people lean toward two or three types. The test shows yours.
The other types
Occupation lists use information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.