A Rigger's Values

Rigger Occupational Profile Part 5 – Styles, Interests, and Values

Many years ago a preeminent vocational psychologist by the name John Holland developed a theory of vocational choice that proposed that workers have basic interests that fit six general occupational themes.† He theorized that all occupations could be analyzed by these themes. The themes are:

REALISTIC
CONVENTIONAL
INVESTIGATIVE
ARTISTIC
SOCIAL
ENTERPRISING

The amount of each of Holland's six themes that comprise a given craft can be represented by a circle graph. One such graph for a Rigger might appear as:

The graph shows that the Artistic, Social, and Enterprising themes really do not constitute a large portion of the Rigger's work style or interests. Briefly, these deal with creative, teaching, and selling activities of occupations. On the other hand, let's look at the themes of Realistic, Conventional, and Investigative in detail and understand why these themes accurately explain a Rigger's work style, his interests, and his values.

Because they have good physical skills, like to work outdoors, and like to work with tools and machines, Riggers land in Holland's Realistic theme. Also, Riggers prefer to work with objects as opposed to working with people or abstract ideas; this is included in Holland's Realistic theme as well. Continuing, workers who have Realistic theme interests enjoy creating things with their hands and prefer tasks that involve a mechanical focus.

Holland's Conventional theme describes Riggers because they prefer to know exactly what is expected of them and they dislike unclear situations. Additionally, Riggers are best suited to well-defined assignments and prefer following established work procedures, both attributes falling into Holland's Conventional theme. Riggers are dependable. Tools, materials, and the loads manipulated are valued.

Riggers have some of the Investigative theme interests and traits in that they tend to be task oriented and enjoy solving problems. They have a need to understand the physical world and do not mind thinking through a problem rather than physically attempting to resolve it. Riggers can be creative and original.

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†Holland, J. L., Making vocational choices: A theory of careers, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1973