Career Interest Profiler
Not sure what to study in college? This assessment matches your interests and personality to college majors and career paths — so you can choose a direction with confidence before committing to a major.
Answer a series of questions about activities you enjoy, and we'll show you careers and majors that align with your strengths. The quiz takes about 5 minutes.
Discover Your Ideal College Major
Our interest profiler uses research-backed questions to match your personality and preferences with college majors and career paths. The assessment covers six key interest areas — Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional — to build a complete picture of your strengths.
- 60 questions — rate activities from strongly dislike to strongly like
- 5 minutes — most students finish in under five minutes
- Personalized results — see matching careers, majors, and salary data
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The Six Interest Areas (RIASEC)
Our profiler is based on the O*NET Interest Profiler, a research-backed assessment developed by the U.S. Department of Labor. It measures your interests across six categories known as the Holland Codes or RIASEC model.
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants, or animals. Careers include engineering, agriculture, construction, and skilled trades.
Investigative
Research, analysis, and problem-solving with ideas and data. Careers include science, medicine, mathematics, and technology research.
Artistic
Creative expression through writing, visual arts, music, or performance. Careers include graphic design, journalism, architecture, and fine arts.
Social
Helping, teaching, counseling, or serving others. Careers include education, healthcare, social work, and counseling.
Enterprising
Leading, persuading, and managing people or projects. Careers include business, law, politics, sales, and entrepreneurship.
Conventional
Organizing data, following procedures, and working with numbers. Careers include accounting, finance, administration, and data management.
How the Interest Profiler Works
Answer 60 Questions
Rate work activities on a scale from “Strongly Dislike” to “Strongly Like.” There are no right or wrong answers — just go with your gut feeling.
Get Your RIASEC Profile
Your answers generate a unique interest profile showing your top interest areas. Most people have two or three dominant categories.
Explore Matching Careers
See careers and college majors that align with your profile, including salary data, education requirements, and job outlook information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the O*NET Interest Profiler?
The O*NET Interest Profiler is a career assessment tool developed by the U.S. Department of Labor. It uses 60 questions to measure your interests across six categories (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional) and matches you with careers from the O*NET database of over 900 occupations.
How long does the assessment take?
Most students complete the 60-question assessment in about 5 minutes. There are no timed sections — work at your own pace and answer honestly for the most accurate results.
Can I retake the profiler?
Yes. Your interests may change over time, especially during high school. You can retake the profiler at any time to see if your results have shifted and explore new career possibilities.
How accurate are the results?
The O*NET Interest Profiler is one of the most widely used and validated career assessment tools in the United States. While no assessment can tell you exactly what to study, it provides a strong starting point for exploring majors and careers that align with your natural interests.
Do I need an account to take the assessment?
You need a free Counsely account to save your results. Creating an account also lets you use your interest profile to get personalized course recommendations in the Curriculum Planner.
How should I use these results in my college search?
Use your top interest areas to narrow down potential majors, then research colleges that are strong in those programs. Your results can also help you write more authentic “Why This Major” essays and identify extracurricular activities that align with your interests.