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Understanding Our Multiple Intelligences and How They Relate to Success in Careers and Work and Possible Career Areas
Phyllis Reardon B.A., M.Ed.
Life Coach
Much of the research around career and work states that if we are employed in work that is closely related to what we love to do, or to one of our strengths, we are more like to be highly successful at that work or career.
We are smarter than we think and have many more strengths than we give ourselves credit. Dr. Howard Gardner in 1983 defined eight multiple intelligences which are listed below. According to the Multiple Intelligence theory we have all eight intelligences, some of which are stronger than the others.
In my career coaching I help my clients understand their multiple intelligences and how these relate to possible career or work choices. I have listed the eight intelligences and related occupations.
The Eight Intelligences as Defined by Howard Gardner:
Musical: the ability to perceive, discriminate, transform and express musical forms.
Naturalist: the ability to understand, relate to, categorise, classify, and explain the things encountered in the world of nature.
Verbal/Linguistic: the ability to use words effectively either orally or in writing.
Logical/Mathematical: the ability to use numbers effectively and to reason well.
Interpersonal: the ability to perceive and make distinctions in the moods, intentions, motivations and feelings of other people.
Intrapersonal: the ability to form accurate self-understanding and to use this knowledge for effective functioning in life.
Visual/Spatial: the ability to perceive the world accurately and to create internal mental pictures.
Bodily/Kinesthetic : the ability to learn by doing, the ability to handle objects skillfully and use the body to express emotion as in dance, body language and sports.
Activity: Now that you have read the eight intelligences reread and decide which three describe you. Note them on paper. Use the following list of related occupations to find an area of interest.
The Eight Intelligences and some related occupations or career areas.
Verbal/Linguistic:
Linguist, writer,radio or tv announcer, politician, poet, historian, folklorist, literary critic, philosopher, humanist, author, editor, speaker, playwright, attorney, journalist, talk-show host, storyteller, translator, reporter, lecturer, teacher, executive leadership, interpreter, librarian
Logical/Mathematical:
Scientist, engineer, mathematician, physicist, tax accountant, researcher, statistician, astronomer, computer programmer, computer analyst, logician, math/science teacher, detective, economist, medical doctor, technologist, cataloguer
Interpersonal:
Police officer, helping professions, politician, executive, teacher, therapist, travel agent, counselor, psychologist, novelist, psychiatrist, salesperson, social worker, business person, actor, community organizer, arbitrator. public relations, administrator, nurse, sociologist
Intrapersonal:
Introspective novelist, psychologist, police officer, self-employment, executive, researcher, leadership, theorist, entrepreneur, philosopher, theologian, therapist
Visual/Spatial:
Sailor, mathematical topologist, engineer, physical scientist, surgeon, chess player, sculptor, commander, cartographer, theoretical physicist, architect, art historian, artist, craftsperson, experimental psychologist, navigator, hunter, interior designer, explorer, guide, inventor, mechanic, airplane pilot, anatomist, painter, graphic design artist, air traffic controller, photographer, illustrator, scout, explorer, builder
Bodily/Kinesthetic:
Inventor, instrumentalist, dancer, juggler, actor, personal fitness trainer, typist, acrobat, athlete, programmer, mechanic, craftsperson, engineer, clown, artisan, surgeon, carpenter, forest ranger
Musical:
Composer, performer, instrumentalist, aficionados, singer, disc jockey, conductor, band member, opera director, choir member, those who enjoy, understand or appreciate music, rock group member, dance band, music teacher, vocalist, music therapist
Naturalist:
Geologist, Chef, landscape architect, ecotourism, birder, botanist, astronomer, anthropologist, hunter, cataloguer, guide, anatomist, farmer, gardener, animal handler, meteorologist, naturalist, biologist, wildlife illustrator.
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