The SDS has been used by over 22 million people worldwide and has also been translated into 25 different languages. SDS results have been supported by over 500 research studies.

The SDS was developed by Dr. John Holland, whose theory of careers is the basis for most of the career inventories used today. Holland's theory states that most people can be loosely categorized with respect to six types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.

Occupations and work environments can also be classified by the same categories. People who choose careers that match their own types are most likely to be both satisfied and successful. Your SDS report can help you to understand more about yourself and how your individual skills and interests are related to your career choice.

Taking the Self-Directed Search will determine your 3-letter Holland code to help you find the careers that best match your interests and abilities. A list of occupations (and college majors) with codes identical and/or similar to your own will be displayed on your screen.

You can then explore the careers you are most likely to find satisfying based upon your interests and skills. Your SDS report (developed by Dr. Robert C. Reardon) will also give you recommendations about how to proceed through your career development and decision-making process. No one assessment can tell you what career to pursue. Only you can make that decision. You should consider your SDS results in combination with other sources of career information, including detailed descriptions of occupations, additional assessments, or career counselors.