Overview
The fifth edition of the Self-Directed Search (Holland & Messer, 2013), for individuals between 11 and 70 years, was renamed the StandardSDS in 2017. Concurrently, the Occupations Finder (OF) and Educational Opportunities Finder (EOF) were updated, and workbooks were revised. However, no items were changed or added, so the two versions can be used interchangeably. Using a subset of the SDS Fifth Edition, the test authors developed norms for adolescents ages 11-17 years. This version, entitled the StudentSDS has the same test structure, but it is purchased separately. The StandardSDS and the StudentSDS were designed to help individuals learn about themselves and their career options. Both the StandardSDS and the StudentSDS can be administered in paper-pencil format or via online administration (and scoring) using the PARiConnect platform. These measures are based on John Holland’s (1959) theory that people and work environments can be classified according to six basic types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional (the Holland RIASEC model). This easy-to-use comprehensive career exploration tool asks questions about the individual’s aspirations, activities, competencies, occupations, and other self-estimates. The resulting three-letter Summary Code designates the three personality types (based on Holland’s RIASEC) an individual most closely resembles. This information is used to help the individual find an occupational match. The StandardSDS is designed for self-interpretation, though clinicians should be available to help with this. It is also available in Spanish, and it was designed specifically for Spanish-speaking individuals living in the U.S. The Spanish kit is purchased separately.
Summary
Age: 11 year to 70 years for Standard SDS; 11 years to 17 years for the StudentSDS
Time to Administer: 25-30 Minutes
Method of Administration: Individual, norm-referenced measure of career interest; paper-pencil or computer-based administration; Spanish version available
Yields a summary code that can be used to generate lists of occupations, fields of study, and leisure activities. The three-letter summary code represents the three RIASEC types that match the student’s activities and interests. It also provides additional resources.
Subscales: Overall Score: O*Net Code
Subscale Scores: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional
Index Scores: various, permitting agreement between Holland codes
Autism Related Research
None found.