Basic Interest Scales: Realistic, Part I

The Basic Interest Scales (BIS) on the Strong can be thought of as more clearly defined aspects of the General Occupational Themes.  Since they provide a more detailed picture of a career area, they can help a person determine which fields might be most interesting to him or her.  The BISs are grouped along similar lines, so a person can see how closely he or she matches that particular theme.  Let's look at the BISs in greater depth, starting with those in the Realistic category.

The first BIS is Mechanics & Construction.  High scorers on this scale usually like to build, design, repair, tinker, and use their hands with an assortment of materials and tools.  They usually come out on the "Works with ideas/data/things" end of the Work Style Personal Style scale.  Occupations with high scores on this scale include engineer, carpenter, electrician, medical technologist, and network administrator.

Computer Hardware & Electronics is the next scale, which measures a person's interest in installing & repairing computers, networks, & associated equipment.  They also tend towards the "Works with ideas/data/things" end of the Work Style Personal Style scale and the "Accomplishes tasks independently" end of the Team Orientation scale.  People with high scores on this scale tend to have similar scores on the previous scale.  Occupations with high scores on this scale include computer scientists, engineers, physicists, and information system managers.

The third scale is Military.  People with high scores on this scale often like highly structured work environments with clear lines of authority.  However, a high score on this scale does not necessarily mean the person will also score high on the Military Officer or Enlisted Occupational scales.  That's because the Occupational Scales have far more items a person would have to match to receive a high score.  High scores for women are relatively rare on this scale.  Occupations with high scores on this BIS include physical education teachers, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and as expected, the military.