At some point during your lifetime, you probably realized that you learned and retained information better when it was presented to you in a certain manner. Perhaps you’re the type of person who understands a concept better when it’s demonstrated. Your friend Bob, on the other hand, learns better when he can listen to an instructor describe the steps of that very same concept. Over the years, researchers have devised a number of tests to help individuals determine their particular learning styles. Some of these tests were also devised to help people find degrees and careers that best fit their learning and personality styles.
Researchers have categorized a number of different learning styles. These styles include, but are not limited to:
- Auditory or Listening Learners do better when given oral instructions.
- Visual or Seeing Learners will learn more when they can see illustrations, graphs or demonstrations of concepts
- Kinesthetic/Tactile or Feeling Learners can absorb information better when they can physically manipulate and touch what they are learning about.
- Social Learners enjoy learning in big groups.
- Solitary Learners prefer to study and absorb information on their own.
Of course, you may possess a combination of these learning styles.
Your Learning Style and a Degree
Knowing your learning style can help you determine what field might be best for you. For instance, kinesthetic/tactile learners typically do better in careers that involve physical movement, such as being an architect or a surgeon. On the other hand, auditory learners tend to do better in professions such as journalism or the legal field that involve the use of the spoken or written word.
Of course, you shouldn’t limit your dreams because of your learning style. For instance, you may be a kinesthetic/tactile learner who really wants to earn a degree in business management, but are afraid that many of the courses in this field will be lectures or textbook lessons that don’t fit your learning style. You might also be concerned that the field itself may not be perfect for you, especially if it involves more paper shuffling than actual physical work. However, you should never limit your career aspirations by either your fears or your learning style.
If you find, for instance, that you’re struggling in a business management course taught in a verbal style and you’re a visual learner, you can always search for videos online to help you grasp the concepts being taught in your classes. As for your career choice, try to seek out business management positions that will engage your visual learning style.
Use Learning Styles as a Guideline
While it can be helpful for you to know what your learning style is, this information should only be used as a guideline for choosing a degree and career that will be a good fit for you. It should never be used as a fence, barring you from opportunities that may not fit into your personal learning style.