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How to use this feature: You can edit your location and household information on the left. Enter cost information in the boxes or use the sliders to select a desired option.There are 12 categories and a summary is listed on the left. You can edit your answers before completing the assessment.

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Household size
$0 Total Monthly Cost
Housing
Utilities
Transportation
Food
Clothes
Entertainment
Personal
Healthcare
Education
Miscellaneous
Saving
Taxes

Reality Check

Make budget choices and get a summary of state or county costs in 12 major expense categories. Link to occupations that pay salaries that match your life choices.

GET STARTED

Make budget choices and get a summary of state or county costs in 12 major expense categories. Link to occupations that pay salaries that match your life choices.
 

Estimated completion time: 5 - 10 minutes.

About Reality Check

Reality Check from the North Carolina Department of Commerce is a fun, new online tool designed to estimate the income necessary to support your desired lifestyle. State where you’d like to live in North Carolina and how you spend your money. From there, you’ll be directed to jobs that meet your financial needs.

This customized cost estimate includes expenses like:

 

 

Housing

Housing

  • Own or rent?
  • Cable?
  • Cell phone?
  • Utilities?
Transportation

Transportation

  • Type of vehicle?
  • Car payment?
  • Walk, bike, bus?
Lifestyle

Lifestyle

  • Expensive tastes?
  • Thrifty shopper?
  • Shows, events?
  • Travel?
Other

Other

  • Healthcare?
  • Student loans?
  • Pets?
  • Savings?

Where do you want to live?

We were unable to match your search with a city, county or zip code. Please verify the search or select the desired location on the map to the right.
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Choose by clicking on a location or area on the map:
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CONTINUE
/Month
Housing
What kind of place will you live in? Click on the statement below that best describes you or, if you know how much your housing will cost each month, enter that amount in the Monthly Cost box below.
✔
Own my own home
(house, townhouse, condo)
housing

Own affordable home

✔
Rent
(apartment, townhome, house)
housing

Rent affordable home

✔
Live with parents or friends
housing

Live with parents or friends

/Month
Utilities
What home services will you need? Click on the statement below that best describes you or, if you know how much your utilities will cost each month, enter that amount in the Monthly Cost box below.
/Month
Transportation
How will you get around? Click on the statement below that best describes you or, if you know how much your transportation will cost each month, enter that amount in the Monthly Cost box below.
✔
Buy a new or used car with a car loan
transportation

Low cost car with payment

✔
Use a car that's already paid for
transportation

Use a car that's already paid for

✔
Walk, bike, public transportation
transportation

Walk, bike, public transportation

/Month
Food
How expensive are your tastes? Click on the statement below that best describes you or, if you know how much your food will cost each month, enter that amount in the Monthly Cost box below.
✔
Food

I eat cheaply

/Month
Clothes
How much do you value what you wear? Click on the statement below that best describes you or, if you know how much your clothes will cost each month, enter that amount in the Monthly Cost box below.
✔
clothes

I have average tastes and expenses

/Month
Entertainment
How much do you want to have to spend on gadgets and entertainment? Click on the statement below that best describes you or, if you know how much your gadgets and entertainment will cost each month, enter that amount in the Monthly Cost box below.

 

✔
entertainment

I am not interested in saving now.

/Month
Personal
How much do you want to have to spend on personal items and household goods? Click on the statement below that best describes you or, if you know how much your personal items will cost each month, enter that amount in the Monthly Cost box below.
✔
personal

I'm thrifty

/Month
Healthcare
How much will you have to pay for health and medical expenses? Click on the statement below that best describes you or, if you know how much your health care will cost each month, enter that amount in the Monthly Cost box below.
/Month
Education
Do you expect to have student loans to repay? Click on the statement below that best describes you or, if you know how much your student loans will cost each month, enter that amount in the Monthly Cost box below.
/Month
Miscellaneous
Do you plan to have pets or children? Select and if your amount is different from the amount shown, enter it in the Monthly Cost box below
/Month
Savings
What percent of your paycheck do you plan on saving each month for big purchases, emergencies, and retirement? Click on the statement below that best describes you or, if you know how much your savings will be each month, enter that amount in the Monthly Cost box below.
✔
saving

I have average tastes and expenses.

/Month
Taxes
Enjoy traveling on interstates and state highways? Appreciate police officers or EMTs showing up when you have an emergency? What about those water and sewer pipes? Most of us groan about taxes, but they do pay for essential resources and services in our communities. This item estimates your income-based tax payments and shows why your take-home pay looks different from your gross income.

IP-Do-Not-Change-For-Internal-Use
John Holland suggested that viewing the Interest Areas on a hexagon can help people understand how their interests overlap or how they may be distinctly different. You must answer all questions to receive a result.

Interest Finder Info

 

SHORT QUIZ     LONG QUIZ

What kind of person are you? Are you Artistic? Social? Realistic?
Answer this quiz to identify your personality type. Either quiz will give you the same results.

Estimated completion time: the Short Quiz takes 5 - 10 minutes and the Long Quiz takes 10 - 20 minutes.

Holland Codes

John Holland suggested that viewing the Interest Areas on a hexagon can help people understand how their interests overlap or how they may be distinctly different. Interests that are most similar are beside each other on the hexagon (e.g., Social, Enterprising, and Conventional). On the other hand, interests across the hexagon from each other (e.g., Conventional and Artistic) are least likely to have similarities. Sometimes people’s combined interests are opposite from or not adjacent to each other. In this case, people sometimes choose to focus on the most different interest as a hobby or to find a unique work setting that merges their interests.

Holland Hexagon

 

Career Interest Types

The Interest Finder measures interests in each of the six Holland RIASEC types.* This section provides definitions for each of the six types. Each definition includes examples of activities that individuals with that interest type like to perform, as well as examples of famous people whose field of work matches the interest type.

 Realistic — The "Doers"

People with Realistic interests like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They enjoy dealing with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. They often enjoy outside work. Often people with Realistic interests do not like occupations that mainly involve doing paperwork or working closely with others. Famous realists: TV carpenter Norm Abram, snowboarder Chloe Kim, and celebrity mechanic Jesse James.

 Investigative — The "Thinkers"

People with Investigative interests like work activities that have to do with ideas and thinking more than with physical activity. They prefer to search for facts and figure out problems mentally rather than to persuade or lead people. Prominent investigators: astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, primatologist Jane Goodall, mathematician/computer scientist Grace Murray Hopper, and theoretical physicist Steven Hawking.

 Artistic — The "Creators"

People with Artistic interests like work activities that deal with the artistic side of things, such as forms, designs, and patterns. They like self-expression in their work. They prefer settings where work can be done without following a clear set of rules. Well-known artists: painter/sculptor Leonardo da Vinci, actress Halle Berry, writer J.K. Rowling, and singers Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.

 Social — The "Helpers"

People with Social interests like work activities that assist others and promote learning and personal development. They prefer to communicate more than to work with objects, machines, or data. They like to teach, give advice, help, or otherwise be of service to people. Famous helpers: educator Booker T. Washington, mental health care reformer Dorothea Dix, TV psychologist Phil McGraw, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

 Enterprising — The "Persuaders"

People with Enterprising interests like work activities that have to do with starting up and carrying out projects, especially business ventures. They like persuading and leading people and making decisions. They enjoy taking risks for profit. These people prefer action rather than thought. Prominent persuaders: TV mogul Oprah Winfrey, business magnate Jeff Bezos, and entrepreneur Elon Musk.

 Conventional — The "Organizers"

People with Conventional interests follow procedures and maintain accurate written and numerical business records. They prefer working in structured settings where roles and tasks are clearly defined. Well-known organizers: businessman J.C. Penney, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and professional organizer Alejandra Costello.

* The O*NET Interest Finder is compatible with Holland's (1985a) Theory of Vocational Personality, one of the most widely accepted approaches to vocational choice. Information for Interest Areas is extracted from the O*NET Career Exploration Tools owned by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Training Administration (DOL/ETA). All O*NET Assessment/Counseling Tools are copyrighted. O*NET is a trademark of DOL/ETA.

Mark whether you think you might like performing the following activities.

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Holland Codes

John Holland suggested that viewing the Interest Areas on a hexagon can help people understand how their interests overlap or how they may be distinctly different. Interests that are most similar are beside each other on the hexagon (e.g., Social, Enterprising, and Conventional). On the other hand, interests across the hexagon from each other (e.g., Conventional and Artistic) are least likely to have similarities. Sometimes people’s combined interests are opposite from or not adjacent to each other. In this case, people sometimes choose to focus on the most different interest as a hobby or to find a unique work setting that merges their interests.

Holland Hexagon

 

Career Interest Types

The Interest Finder measures interests in each of the six Holland RIASEC types.* This section provides definitions for each of the six types. Each definition includes examples of activities that individuals with that interest type like to perform, as well as examples of famous people whose field of work matches the interest type.

 Realistic — The "Doers"

People with Realistic interests like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They enjoy dealing with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. They often enjoy outside work. Often people with Realistic interests do not like occupations that mainly involve doing paperwork or working closely with others. Famous realists: TV carpenter Norm Abram, snowboarder Chloe Kim, and celebrity mechanic Jesse James.

 Investigative — The "Thinkers"

People with Investigative interests like work activities that have to do with ideas and thinking more than with physical activity. They prefer to search for facts and figure out problems mentally rather than to persuade or lead people. Prominent investigators: astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, primatologist Jane Goodall, mathematician/computer scientist Grace Murray Hopper, and theoretical physicist Steven Hawking.

 Artistic — The "Creators"

People with Artistic interests like work activities that deal with the artistic side of things, such as forms, designs, and patterns. They like self-expression in their work. They prefer settings where work can be done without following a clear set of rules. Well-known artists: painter/sculptor Leonardo da Vinci, actress Halle Berry, writer J.K. Rowling, and singers Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.

 Social — The "Helpers"

People with Social interests like work activities that assist others and promote learning and personal development. They prefer to communicate more than to work with objects, machines, or data. They like to teach, give advice, help, or otherwise be of service to people. Famous helpers: educator Booker T. Washington, mental health care reformer Dorothea Dix, TV psychologist Phil McGraw, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

 Enterprising — The "Persuaders"

People with Enterprising interests like work activities that have to do with starting up and carrying out projects, especially business ventures. They like persuading and leading people and making decisions. They enjoy taking risks for profit. These people prefer action rather than thought. Prominent persuaders: TV mogul Oprah Winfrey, business magnate Jeff Bezos, and entrepreneur Elon Musk.

 Conventional — The "Organizers"

People with Conventional interests follow procedures and maintain accurate written and numerical business records. They prefer working in structured settings where roles and tasks are clearly defined. Well-known organizers: businessman J.C. Penney, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and professional organizer Alejandra Costello.

* The O*NET Interest Finder is compatible with Holland's (1985a) Theory of Vocational Personality, one of the most widely accepted approaches to vocational choice. Information for Interest Areas is extracted from the O*NET Career Exploration Tools owned by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Training Administration (DOL/ETA). All O*NET Assessment/Counseling Tools are copyrighted. O*NET is a trademark of DOL/ETA.

MIP-Do-Not-Change-For-Internal-Use
John Holland suggested that viewing the Interest Areas on a hexagon can help people understand how their interests overlap or how they may be distinctly different. You must answer all questions to receive a result.

Interest Profiler Info

Mini Interest Profiler

How much will you need to earn in the future?

Really check is here to help!

GET STARTED

Mark whether you think you might like performing the following activities.

Back

More Less

Career Interest Types

The Interest Profiler measures interests in each of the six Holland RIASEC types.* This section provides definitions for each of the six types. Each definition includes examples of activities that individuals with that interest type like to perform, as well as examples of famous people whose field of work matches the interest type.

Realistic — The "Doers"

People with Realistic interests like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They enjoy dealing with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. They often enjoy outside work. Often people with Realistic interests do not like occupations that mainly involve doing paperwork or working closely with others. Famous realists: TV carpenter Norm Abram, snowboarder Chloe Kim, and celebrity mechanic Jesse James.

Investigative — The "Thinkers"

People with Investigative interests like work activities that have to do with ideas and thinking more than with physical activity. They prefer to search for facts and figure out problems mentally rather than to persuade or lead people. Prominent investigators: astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, primatologist Jane Goodall, mathematician/computer scientist Grace Murray Hopper, and theoretical physicist Steven Hawking.

Artistic — The "Creators"

People with Artistic interests like work activities that deal with the artistic side of things, such as forms, designs, and patterns. They like self-expression in their work. They prefer settings where work can be done without following a clear set of rules. Well-known artists: painter/sculptor Leonardo da Vinci, actress Halle Berry, writer J.K. Rowling, and singers Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.

Social — The "Helpers"

People with Social interests like work activities that assist others and promote learning and personal development. They prefer to communicate more than to work with objects, machines, or data. They like to teach, give advice, help, or otherwise be of service to people. Famous helpers: educator Booker T. Washington, mental health care reformer Dorothea Dix, TV psychologist Phil McGraw, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Enterprising — The "Persuaders"

People with Enterprising interests like work activities that have to do with starting up and carrying out projects, especially business ventures. They like persuading and leading people and making decisions. They enjoy taking risks for profit. These people prefer action rather than thought. Prominent persuaders: TV mogul Oprah Winfrey, business magnate Jeff Bezos, and entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Conventional — The "Organizers"

People with Conventional interests follow procedures and maintain accurate written and numerical business records. They prefer working in structured settings where roles and tasks are clearly defined. Well-known organizers: businessman J.C. Penney, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and professional organizer Alejandra Costello.

* The O*NET Interest Profiler is compatible with Holland's (1985a) Theory of Vocational Personality, one of the most widely accepted approaches to vocational choice. Information for Interest Areas is extracted from the O*NET Career Exploration Tools owned by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Training Administration (DOL/ETA). All O*NET Assessment/Counseling Tools are copyrighted. O*NET is a trademark of DOL/ETA.

Holland Codes

John Holland suggested that viewing the Interest Areas on a hexagon can help people understand how their interests overlap or how they may be distinctly different. Interests that are most similar are beside each other on the hexagon (e.g., Social, Enterprising, and Conventional). On the other hand, interests across the hexagon from each other (e.g., Conventional and Artistic) are least likely to have similarities. Sometimes people’s combined interests are opposite from or not adjacent to each other. In this case, people sometimes choose to focus on the most different interest as a hobby or to find a unique work setting that merges their interests.

Holland Code hexagon diagram

Other ways to explore your own characteristics:

Interests are only one part of who you are, so check out the following sites to find other ways to explore your own characteristics and identify other qualities that connect with careers that you may choose.

Interests

Personality Type

Abilities & Aptitudes

girl deciding on a career

Reality_Check

Reality Check is an online tool designed to estimate the income necessary to support your desired lifestyle. State where you’d like to live in North Carolina and how you spend your money. From there, you’ll be directed to jobs that meet your financial needs.
 
CS-Do-Not-Change-For-Internal-Use

Career Cluster Match

Uncover which Career Clusters match your combination of work, skill, and academic interests.

GET STARTED

Uncover which Career Clusters match your combination of work, skill, and academic interests.

Estimated completion time: 10 - 20 minutes.

About Career Cluster Match

The National Career Clusters Framework identifies 16 career clusters and related career pathways that are designed to grow career awareness and exploration. Career Clusters are groups of occupations in the same field of work that require similar skills. Each cluster contains several smaller groups called career Pathways that connect to educational programs, industries, and jobs. While a Career Cluster paints a broad picture of a group of occupations, a Pathway helps you focus on and develop a clear, more informed, educational plan over time.

The Career Cluster Match was adapted and produced with permission from the Career Academic Connections Division of the Oklahoma Department of Career Tech. This survey does not make any claims of statistical reliability and has not been normed. It is intended for use as a guidance tool to generate discussion regarding careers and is valid for that purpose.

 

Image Of Agriculture, Food Natural Resources

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

Architecture Construction

Architecture & Construction

Image Of Arts, A/V Technology Communications

Arts, A/V Technology & Communications

Image Of Business Management Administration

Business Management & Administration

Image Of Education Training

Education & Training

Image Of Finance

Finance

Image Of Government Public Administration

Government & Public Administration

Image Of Health Science

Health Science

Image Of Hospitality Tourism

Hospitality & Tourism

Human Services

Human Services

Information Technology

Information Technology

Law, Public Safety, Corrections

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

Marketing

Marketing

Science, Technology, Engineering

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Transportation, Distribution

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

About Career Cluster Match

The National Career Clusters Framework identifies 16 career clusters and related career pathways that are designed to grow career awareness and exploration. Career Clusters are groups of occupations in the same field of work that require similar skills. Each cluster contains several smaller groups called career Pathways that connect to educational programs, industries, and jobs. While a Career Cluster paints a broad picture of a group of occupations, a Pathway helps you focus on and develop a clear, more informed, educational plan over time.

The Career Cluster Survey was adapted and produced with permission from the Career Academic Connections Division of the Oklahoma Department of Career Tech. This survey does not make any claims of statistical reliability and has not been normed. It is intended for use as a guidance tool to generate discussion regarding careers and is valid for that purpose.

 

Image Of Agriculture, Food Natural Resources

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

Architecture Construction

Architecture & Construction

Image Of Arts, A/V Technology Communications

Arts, A/V Technology & Communications

Image Of Business Management Administration

Business Management & Administration

Image Of Education Training

Education & Training

Image Of Finance

Finance

Image Of Government Public Administration

Government & Public Administration

Image Of Health Science

Health Science

Image Of Hospitality Tourism

Hospitality & Tourism

Human Services

Human Services

Information Technology

Information Technology

Law, Public Safety, Corrections

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

Marketing

Marketing

Science, Technology, Engineering

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Transportation, Distribution

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

CS-Do-Not-Change-For-Small-Business-Use
Becoming an entrepreneur is not for everyone. In business, there are no guarantees. There is simply no way to eliminate all of the risks. It takes a special person with a strong commitment and specific skills to be successful as an entrepreneur. Are you ready to start your own business? Use the Readiness Assessment Guide to better understand how prepared you are. The Assessment Guide has twenty five questions. Your responses will be evaluated at completion of the questions.
Small Business/Entrepreneur Readiness SURVEY

GET STARTED

This guide is designed to help you better understand your readiness for starting a small business. It is not a scientific assessment tool. Rather, it is a tool that will prompt you with questions and assist you in evaluating your skills, characteristics and experience --- as they relate to your readiness for starting a business. The Assessment Guide has twenty five questions. You will evaluate your responses at completion of the assessment.

Estimated completion time: 5 - 10 minutes.
 

General

1. Do you think you are ready to start a business?
2. Do you have support for your business from family and friends?
3. Have you ever worked in a business similar to what you are starting?
4. Would people that know you say you are entrepreneurial?
5. Have you ever taken a small business course or seminar?

Personal Characteristics

1. Are you a leader?
2. Do you like to make your own decisions?
3. Do others turn to you for help in making decisions?
4. Do you enjoy competition?
5. Do you have will power and self discipline?
6. Do you plan ahead?
7. Do you like people?
8. Do you get along with others?
9. Would people that know you say you are outgoing?

Personal Conditions

1. Are you aware that running your own business may require working more than 12 hours a day, six days a week and maybe Sundays and holidays?
2. Do you have the physical stamina to handle a “self-employed” workload and schedule?
3. Do you have the emotional strength to deal effectively with pressure?
4. Are you prepared, if needed, to temporarily lower your standard of living until your business is firmly established?
5. Are you prepared to lose a portion of your savings?

Skills And Experience

1. Do you know what basic skills you will need in order to have a successful business?
2. Do you possess those skills?
3. Do you feel comfortable using a computer?
4. Have you ever worked in a managerial or supervisory capacity?
5. Do you think you can be comfortable hiring, disciplining and delegating tasks to employees?
6. If you discover you do not have the basic skills needed for your business, will you be willing to delay your plans until you have acquired the necessary skills?