Choosing your studies is one of the most important and most poorly-equipped decisions in life. At 17, you're asked to project yourself five years forward, pick a career in a job market that changes every three years, and do it with nothing but the subjects you like in high school and advice from people who know you.
There's a better approach. Instead of looking only at what you like to do, look at how you learn, how you naturally work, and what gives you energy. Three tools combined can illuminate this decision far better than a traditional career counselor.
The 3-layer method: RIASEC, VARK, Four Tendencies
The traditional approach to career guidance focuses on interests (what). Personality tests help go further: how you learn (VARK) and how you naturally behave in a work and effort context (Four Tendencies).
Layer 1 — Interests (RIASEC): What professional environment will you thrive in? Layer 2 — Learning style (VARK): How do you effectively approach a curriculum? Layer 3 — Habits (Four Tendencies): How do you organize yourself when no one is watching?
These three layers together give you a much sharper picture than any single test on its own.
Layer 1: RIASEC to choose your field
The RIASEC model, developed by psychologist John Holland, identifies 6 types of professional personalities. The core idea: you'll be more fulfilled in a career whose environment matches your type.
R — Realistic: You like working with your hands, machines, physical systems. Programs: engineering, architecture, agriculture, technical trades, construction.
I — Investigative: You like solving complex problems, analyzing, understanding. Programs: basic sciences, medicine, research, computer science, mathematics.
A — Artistic: You like creating, expressing, innovating without rigid frameworks. Programs: arts, design, communication, literature, music, film.
S — Social: You like helping, teaching, supporting others. Programs: education, social work, healthcare, human resources, psychology.
E — Enterprising: You like persuading, leading, entrepreneuring. Programs: business, management, law, entrepreneurship, marketing.
C — Conventional: You like organization, precision, structured systems. Programs: accounting, finance, administration, logistics, law.
Most people have a 2 or 3-letter profile. An IE (Investigative-Enterprising) profile might aim for innovation management or biotech. An SA (Social-Artistic) profile might land in art therapy or training.
To discover your RIASEC profile, take the RIASEC test — it'll give you your 3 dominant codes and associated career paths.
Layer 2: VARK to choose your program format
Knowing which field you want to go into is one thing. Understanding how you learn and which program format suits you is another — and often the difference between succeeding and dropping out.
The VARK model, developed by Neil Fleming, identifies 4 learning styles: Visual, Aural (hearing), Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic.
Visual: You remember better with diagrams, charts, and mind maps. Ideal programs: training with models, presentations, visual projects. Environments: design, architecture, data visualization, medicine (anatomy).
Aural: You learn by listening and discussing. Lectures, podcasts, debates. Ideal programs: law (oral arguments), music, education, social sciences with lots of seminars. Avoid programs that are 100% autonomous or 100% reading.
Reading/Writing: You learn through notes, texts, and lists. Ideal programs: philosophy, history, law, literature — any training with a strong textual component. You excel in written exams.
Kinesthetic: You learn by doing and experimenting. Ideal programs: medicine (internships), engineering (labs), vocational training, work-study programs. Purely theoretical programs risk demotivating you.
Practical applications:
| VARK Style | Prioritize | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| V | Schools with visual projects, in-person courses | 100% text-based programs |
| A | Universities with large lectures + small groups, oral training | Online courses alone |
| R/W | Traditional universities, academic degrees | Full-practice apprenticeships |
| K | Vocational programs, work-study, lab-heavy schools | Theoretical programs without internships |
The VARK test can show you your dominant profile and guide you toward the most suitable program formats.
Layer 3: The Four Tendencies to anticipate your student habits
This is the most underrated layer. Your personality as a student — how you handle deadlines, group projects, autonomy — will massively influence your success depending on the program.
Gretchen Rubin, American author, identified four tendencies based on how people respond to inner and outer expectations.
Questioner: They respect rules if they have a logical basis. In studies: excellent if the program explains "why." They'll challenge professors, ask lots of questions, but deliver if convinced. Ideal programs: master's degrees with a strong theoretical component and autonomous projects.
Upholder: They meet both inner and outer commitments. In studies: they plan, meet deadlines, often excel in structured programs. Risk: rigidity if the program is too open-ended. Ideal programs: competitive business schools with clear frameworks, law or medicine degrees.
Obliger: They meet commitments to others but struggle with personal discipline. In studies: they shine in group work, work-study, and peer projects. They'd drop out with total autonomy. Ideal programs: apprenticeship, vocational training, programs with many collective projects.
Rebel: They resist outer constraints. In studies: heavily structured programs can weigh on them. They excel in programs that value initiative and creativity. Ideal programs: art schools, entrepreneurship, programs with free projects.
To identify your tendency, take the Four Tendencies test.
How to combine the three to make a decision
Here's a concrete example:
RIASEC profile: IE (Investigative-Enterprising) VARK style: Kinesthetic Tendency: Obliger
Interpretation: This person wants to explore and build, learns by doing, and needs collective structure. Ideal program: engineering school in a work-study format with an entrepreneurial final project. Avoid: pure research masters or autonomous university programs.
Another example:
RIASEC profile: SA (Social-Artistic) VARK style: Aural Tendency: Upholder
Interpretation: This person likes helping and creating, learns through discussion, and naturally meets commitments. Ideal program: psychology or education training with plenty of seminars, structured internships, and peer projects. Avoid: fully online or isolated programs.
Specific programs by combined profile
RIASEC R + VARK K + Obliger: Vocational training in mechanics, civil engineering, apprenticeships in technical trades.
RIASEC I + VARK R/W + Upholder: Math degree, pre-med, competitive science preparatory programs.
RIASEC A + VARK V + Rebel: Art and design schools, visual communication programs, film or fashion schools.
RIASEC E + VARK A + Obliger: Business schools with apprenticeship, management programs.
RIASEC S + VARK A + Upholder: Physical education, social work programs, psychology degrees.
RIASEC C + VARK R/W + Upholder: Accounting programs, management degrees, law programs.
FAQ
Do these tests replace a career counselor?
No — they complement one another. A counselor has knowledge of the job market and institutions that tests don't provide. But the tests give you self-knowledge that few counselors take the time to explore. Combine both.
Can my RIASEC profile change after I graduate?
Yes. Interests evolve with experience. Your RIASEC code at 18 reflects your experiences up to that point. A law student who discovers programming during their studies may develop a stronger I profile. That's why RIASEC is useful at the start of a path, but also during career transitions.
Is VARK scientifically valid?
VARK learning styles are scientifically debated — strong evidence that "learning in your style" improves results is limited. But VARK remains useful as a self-reflection tool: it helps identify environments where you feel most comfortable and engaged. Use it as a lead, not a truth.
What if my results contradict each other across the three tests?
That's often revealing. For example, an A (Artistic) RIASEC profile with an Upholder tendency might seem contradictory. In reality, it points to highly structured creative careers: art direction, architecture, game design. Contradictions are valuable information.
How do I choose if two options are equally valid?
Look at your VARK style and tendency first. Often, the choice between two similar domains of interest comes down to format: work-study or on-campus? Group or solo projects? That practical layer is what makes the difference in long-term persistence.
For more, see our guide on choosing studies with RIASEC and the article on your VARK learning style.
This test is for fun and informational purposes only. It does not constitute a psychological diagnosis.