longer-term careers for an INTP

[kit]

As a next step in life, I've been thinking about getting a Masters degree in Physical Therapy. It seems interesting and I'm sure that I'll like the whole learning process, but my INTP personality is beginning to scare me away from jumping in. You see, my record has been to devote all of my energy and time into something, say, for a few years and then move on to something different.
PT would require me to go back to school for another four years. My concern is wasting money if I decide to move on to pursue something else when the four years is up.
I guess my question is... are there any INTPs who love their job and fathom sticking around for a bit? Insight, anyone?

[MacGuffin]

Yeah, if anyone knows the answer, step up and post.

[YardGnome]

I Love my job and fathom sticking around a bit... The one reason I do is because I am given a number of different things to do and I'm never doing exactly the same thing. (Yeah I may be doing the "Same" thing i.e. coding / systems design etc. but it's not the same system every time...) Although, my attention has been waning from my last project but only because I have been working on it for the last 2 years practically. But there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is nearing completion...

[cathmc]

I have worked in the same field for over 10 years now. But similar to what YardGnome described, I have done many different things within that field depending on the project - so I'm able to try something 'new' every year or two. Not sure whether PT fits that bill. The only licensed Physical Therapist I know is now running safari tours in South Africa - maybe she's an INTP too :) But once she decided she wanted to live in Africa she was able to find private clients to make some money - having a skill is never a total loss.
So I'd say ask yourself these things:
1. how much flexibility is there within PT? Could you focus on athletes for a couple of years and then focus on, I don't know, paralysis victims? Is there enough variety w/in PT to allow some changes/learning new aspects?
2. Would you enjoy the program itself? I don't believe in doing anything that doesn't have some inherent value, especially for 4 years
3. if the answer to #2 is yes, than what's the worst-case scenario? That you know how to be a PT but you want to try something different. But maybe that would be related to PT, or maybe, like my friend, it would give you a fallback income while you travel Africa.

I'm sure a lot of people would say don't do it if you're not sure, but I think if you will enjoy it, it's worth considering, and you can worry about the rest when the time comes. This is how I've 'planned' my life and it's worked out pretty well so far...

[Trolsk]

Having a civil engineering degree, or likewise, would probably work well in regard to broad, long-term career opportunities.

[smash0gre]

haven't been at one job more than three years. same sorta career ish - but different jobs in the area of the field.

[s]

I can't fathom having a long term job.

[shudders]

I don't consider writing, lounging, and reading to be jobs, so I will have to make some money off of those later. Until then, I will be a person of leisure.

[Architectonic]

Independent financial market trader? ;)

[jread]

I tend to stay at the same job for a long time. I was at my previous one for 3 years and then 5 years at my current one. I currently work in Geographic Information Systems (computer cartography), but am getting bored with it. I'm back in college now, trying to work toward a degree in computer systems management. I have considered some other careers that are related to what I currently do, but changed my mind for various reasons:

1. Urban Planner - This is a subject that I am the most interested in. I REALLY get into the design of cities and how the "system" of it works. I would say that SimCity was my favorite game of all time when I was younger. I found that planning, though, is not for me. Urban planners have to deal with a LOT of political bullshit as well as do presentations in front of people (shudder) at City Council meetings, only to get screamed at by outraged citizens. If I could take out these aspects of the job, it would be the most awesome career ever.

2. Economist: This is another "study society" profession that is really interesting, however it also involves politics and bureaucracy a little too much for my taste. I hate politics and I never read the news... I also know nothing about the stock market.

I decided to go with the IT world... maybe Network Admin. or Database Admin. These jobs are interesting to me and very suited to my personality.

[booyalab]

I think it would involve some abstract goal or progression towards discovery. For instance, I'm sure Einstein's job is an "ideal" INTP job because he was interested in what he was working towards and so it was out of the question to do anything else. Otherwise the day to day things overshadow any underlying motivation and it feels like drudgery, so INTPs look for novelty in the transition between jobs and learning something new. I'm just guessing.

[MaroonBells]

so INTPs look for novelty in the transition between jobs and learning something new

Booyalab,

I think you are right on the mark in your observation of the transition between jobs and learning. It might even be that we are most drawn to the intersection between practical application ("job") and exploration ("learning"). I recently transitioned from a Finance role to a Business Development role where I can explore new business opportunities and it is a lot of fun. Much more than Finance where the rules are laid out and that is it.

PS: only thing I miss are the hard deadlines which seem the only way I can get something done (as someone's signature reads)! Maybe that is another required aspect: pressure!

[jread]

I think it would involve some abstract goal or progression towards discovery. For instance, I'm sure Einstein's job is an "ideal" INTP job because he was interested in what he was working towards and so it was out of the question to do anything else. Otherwise the day to day things overshadow any underlying motivation and it feels like drudgery, so INTPs look for novelty in the transition between jobs and learning something new. I'm just guessing.

I agree with you on this. I think that in my case, I've worked at jobs that are not very demanding mentally or physically and the environments are very relaxed. This gives me a lot of opportunity to spend time researching and learning about the various things I'm interested in, which is all that matters to me. I apparently feel no need to contribute anything to society or I would get a different job, lol.

[coffeezombie]

1. Urban Planner - This is a subject that I am the most interested in. I REALLY get into the design of cities and how the "system" of it works. I would say that SimCity was my favorite game of all time when I was younger. I found that planning, though, is not for me. Urban planners have to deal with a LOT of political bullshit as well as do presentations in front of people (shudder) at City Council meetings, only to get screamed at by outraged citizens. If I could take out these aspects of the job, it would be the most awesome career ever.


I do this. I have a masters degree as an urban planner. Most citizens are fine if you don't treat them like they are idiots.

[Nighthawk]

Otherwise the day to day things overshadow any underlying motivation and it feels like drudgery...Welcome to my world.

[iponjs]

Self-employment is the way to go. Consulting has a nice appeal - you decide what to consult about and when you have to interact with people. You also get to set the rules for the most part...

PT seems too NF-ish for me...

[Nighthawk]

Self-employment is the way to go. Consulting has a nice appeal - you decide what to consult about and when you have to interact with people. You also get to set the rules for the most part...
Self-employment is quite appealing to me, except that health insurance rates are often astronomical.

[iponjs]

That's why I've stuck around the Coast Guard so long - 2 more years and I have a mortgage payment and health insurance wrapped up. THEN I can go into self-employment. I'd never suggest this path to another INTP - I do have SOME feeling....

[Nighthawk]

That's why I've stuck around the Coast Guard so long - 2 more years and I have a mortgage payment and health insurance wrapped up. THEN I can go into self-employment. I'd never suggest this path to another INTP - I do have SOME feeling....Hehe ... I guess I left the military too soon. I bailed after 13 years. I do have VA health insurance however, which is free. So if I want to put up with that shop-of-horrors, I suppose I could do it. What kind of self-employment are you looking at?

I'd also would not suggest a military career path for an INTP.

[Nighthawk]

As a next step in life, I've been thinking about getting a Masters degree in Physical Therapy. It seems interesting and I'm sure that I'll like the whole learning process, but my INTP personality is beginning to scare me away from jumping in. You see, my record has been to devote all of my energy and time into something, say, for a few years and then move on to something different.

PT would require me to go back to school for another four years. My concern is wasting money if I decide to move on to pursue something else when the four years is up.

I guess my question is... are there any INTPs who love their job and fathom sticking around for a bit? Insight, anyone?I've changed careers about every 10 years, and jobs within careers about every 2 years. My first career was military, which I hated ... but I was able to try a lot of different things: warfighting, personnel, logistics, training, automotive maintenance, management. That made it a bit more palatable.

I went back to school for a computer science masters to segue into my second career. I've also been able to move around a lot within that field: systems administration, back end programming, web programming, dot-com, front end programming, scientific programming, financial programming.

Now that I've been in this career for 10 years and in my present job over 3 years (a new record), I am getting really itchy feet. I guess the only advice I can give is to go with something that you really, really love. That way, when the lustre wears off (as it does with INTPs), you won't hate it quite as bad as a profession you hated to start out with ;) Also try to find something that allows you some mobility inside the profession ... like doing different things as a PT. I'm not sure how viable that is, just using it as an example. Finally, try to find something that pays the bills fairly well without killing you in the process. If you can combine those 3 things (early love of profession, mobility within profession, good income without killing yourself) then you have a pretty good platform from which to pursue other options if (and when) you get tired of what you're doing.

[Chukamuk]

...I'd also would not suggest a military career path for an INTP.Amen!!! I lost 4 years of my life in the Navy and I hated every second of it.

I've been a software engineer for the last 15 years. It has its ups and downs. At the beginning of a project I'm excited and can't wait to get to work. Towards the end of a project I hate my life and start frequenting Monster.com. Luckily, most of the projects I work on are of short duration.

I still wonder from time to time what it would have been like to be an architect, anthropologist, professional sculptor or animator.

[Nighthawk]

Amen!!! I lost 4 years of my life in the Navy and I hated every second of it.

I've been a software engineer for the last 15 years. It has its ups and downs. At the beginning of a project I'm excited and can't wait to get to work. Towards the end of a project I hate my life and start frequenting Monster.com. Luckily, most of the projects I work on are of short duration.

I still wonder from time to time what it would have been like to be an architect, anthropologist, professional sculptor or animator.I lost about 9 years of my life to the military ... 13 counting military school, but it got me my degree, so that wasn't a total waste. I cannot imagine why I stuck with it so long. Oh yeah ... the chance to retire at age 41. :whistle: Blew that one too. I've been a software engineer for about 10 years now ... 13 if I count grad school. I have the same motivational problems towards the end of a project. I also have a hard time motivating myself to do maintenance work on software. Incongruously, I'm pretty good at it, so I get stuck with it a lot. I too, wonder a lot about "what if" careers: micro-biologist, geneticist, professor, animator, physician.

[kit]

thanks for the pointers, guys!
cadmc,
i totally agree with how you plan your life. you're intrigued with something and then you go with it. i'm still pretty young but i have to admit that i've had the luxury of being able to do just that throughout the short life i've lived. and i can't say that i regret a thing.
has anyone ever had to pay serious consequences (i.e. financial) for that darn INTP trait of "chasing after discovery" that almost overrides every other sense of responsibility in life? :unsure:

[kit]

Self-employment is the way to go. Consulting has a nice appeal - you decide what to consult about and when you have to interact with people. You also get to set the rules for the most part...

PT seems too NF-ish for me...

you're right, PT does seem a little NF-ish or something-F-ish because of the whole helping people aspect. i'm interested in it because it requires a study of the body and sources of movement. i find that fascinating. can you think of any other "career choice" with those elements?

[Helios]

I have worked for the same company since I was 19, and have done a zillion various things. In fact I was headed for project in Lagos Nigeria next month, but due to a political spat, that is on ice for now. The secret has been based on two thing, one keep moving, always doing something new. But the biggeer piece was I have always scammed along at part time, during the late 90s when the labour market was tight I got full benefits for it, which was all I really needed any, since the issue was I was too old for my Dad's medical. Now, over the past decade I have work something like full time in spurts when it seemed interesting, or if a specail project or training required. But I always new it was just for "this or that" reason,and then it would pass and I'd work tue-thur again.

But, now things are ugly, we have been bleeding red ink since 2001. Long ago they stopped providing the medical/paid vac/etc for part timers, but I was grandfathered in. But it seems that starting next year this will end. I know I am being a big pussy about this,since everyone else on earth works fulltime, but I am freaking out! The idea of being chained to any job, even one I sorta like, scares the shit out me! But truth is when I look at what is out there at the market, I am overpaid and underworked, there is no place to go, I can't believe after all these years of dodgeing it, I am gonna have to grow up!

[Geek Engineer]

Well my first job lasted 6 months. I decided technical support wasn't my cup of tea, even if it was with a good company. My second has been for about 6 years, and I always had liked it until recently. I got a lot of opertunity to jump into many different things at this company and I think that is why I have liked it. Lately, because of my misfortune with the card layout guy from hell. I have been having second thoughts lately, about just quiting. I just hope I get this card done some year, it is just fustrating when management can't do anything about it. Yet I know they will complain when I get behind on this project, oh well... My new boss didn't even seem to say much to me other than just "hi" lately. I wish my last manager wouldn't have quit he seemed to understand me much better than any of the other managers I had in the past... They have this thing going on where they have a bunch of people under one manager. I think it doesn't work as well, but it is a delicate balance. Too much managment can be a bad thing too, but I think they went too far the other direction.

[jjt]

As someone who has worked most of my life in the medical world, here's what I think. I actually trained as a nurse, not a good job for an INTP, enjoyed learning medical things, but hated the job as a practice.

However I did use that medical knowledge in a variety of other ways. I went on to study furniture design before combining the medical with the design and spent 10 years designing a range of positioning equipment, and specialised seating that goes into wheelchairs to support those who are wheelchair bound, in ideal positions. I worked a lot with P Ts. Some worked doing the same job as myself. It wasn't until I had a job that I could use my INTP skills to the max that I really enjoyed my medical training.

In my job I did lots of research, ergonomics, problem solving, design - not detail just ideas for the solutions, the engineers worked on the detail. I worked all over New Zealand, was a trouble shooter and problem solver for lots of very grateful people. I attended international conferences and occasionally gave papers. I visited other research institutions in England, USA, Canada and Australia.

I think if you do train as a PT you would enjoy it best if you took it a direction where you employed your INTP problem solving and research skills and get lots of variety as I did.

Unfortunately I got tired of that after 9 years and now work as a self employed nutritionist, and retailer. (Which I really enjoy and again uses my medical background though in an entirely different arena) I have worked in my current profession for 7 years, and am still planning to do it for a while yet.

[Nighthawk]

has anyone ever had to pay serious consequences (i.e. financial) for that darn INTP trait of "chasing after discovery" that almost overrides every other sense of responsibility in life? http://forums.intpcentral.com/images/smilies/unsure.gifI lost my career and was almost incarcerated for pushing very hard to uncover the truth about an accidental killing during the first gulf war. The person responsible for the killing came from a very powerful military family and did everything he (and his family) could to keep it covered up. It finally took the US Senate to hold him accountable and exonerate me. Not quite sure if that qualifies as "chasing after discovery" ... but it involved a lot of research searching for the truth ... radio logs, climate reports, witness statements, forensic mapping, etc. I was a royal pain in the ass for the people who wanted to keep things quiet.

[cathmc]

thanks for the pointers, guys!
cadmc,
i totally agree with how you plan your life. you're intrigued with something and then you go with it. i'm still pretty young but i have to admit that i've had the luxury of being able to do just that throughout the short life i've lived. and i can't say that i regret a thing.
has anyone ever had to pay serious consequences (i.e. financial) for that darn INTP trait of "chasing after discovery" that almost overrides every other sense of responsibility in life? :unsure:
Well, basically, you become a 'jack of all trades, master of none'. I know a little about a lot of stuff. In my career, it has worked out ok because I am seen as a 'quick study' who can dive into a new situation and figure it out. (In my reviews the word 'analytical' never fails to come up - go figure!!) And I totally agree with whoever said (sorry, I forget who!) that the learning phase of a transition is the best. I love the beginning of a new project or job where I am thrown in the deep end and have to sink or swim by my wits!
But since I don't have in-depth expertise an any particular technical area, I often end up in project management roles - these require a lot of extraversion :shock:
Although they play very well to the INTP traits of taking the big-picture view and considering possibilities...

[iponjs]

Hehe ... I guess I left the military too soon. I bailed after 13 years. I do have VA health insurance however, which is free. So if I want to put up with that shop-of-horrors, I suppose I could do it. What kind of self-employment are you looking at?

I'd also would not suggest a military career path for an INTP.

Quality/Performance consulting for small business - everything from training to secret-shops to Baldrige criteria/systems improvement. I've been teaching leadership & management for the Coast Guard for several years and actually like it :shock: I'm just sick of the red tape and working for a bunch of puppeteers... Also, moving every 2-3 years was cool when I was in my 20s but with a family it kinda sucks...

[INTrPosr]

I guess my question is... are there any INTPs who love their job and fathom sticking around for a bit? Insight, anyone?Many INTP who have taken the BBC Test, results in The Strategist (http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/personalityandindividuality/whatamilike/strategist.shtml). I think like that description, I would consider INTPs also being the most likely to say they are unhappy in their job. I have worked for the government for ten years. It took me five years, and three times as a finalist in interviews, to get the job. I have spent the last five years trying to get out. I would think that working as a consultant would be something I would enjoy.

[iponjs]

I lost my career and was almost incarcerated for pushing very hard to uncover the truth about an accidental killing during the first gulf war. The person responsible for the killing came from a very powerful military family and did everything he (and his family) could to keep it covered up. It finally took the US Senate to hold him accountable and exonerate me. Not quite sure if that qualifies as "chasing after discovery" ... but it involved a lot of research searching for the truth ... radio logs, climate reports, witness statements, forensic mapping, etc. I was a royal pain in the ass for the people who wanted to keep things quiet.

So, Nighthawk, you pulled a Fox Mulder?! WAY COOL! :thumbup:

[iponjs]

you're right, PT does seem a little NF-ish or something-F-ish because of the whole helping people aspect. i'm interested in it because it requires a study of the body and sources of movement. i find that fascinating. can you think of any other "career choice" with those elements?

Anything involving ergonomics. The conceptual part of design would be great, the details and specs would be bore-ass for sure.

You could probably make some sort of niche by designing workplaces for function (emphasis on ergonomics and workflow) with some PT training...

[MaroonBells]

Many INTP who have taken the BBC Test, results in The Strategist (http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/personalityandindividuality/whatamilike/strategist.shtml). I think like that description, I would consider INTPs also being the most likely to say they are unhappy in their job.

I came out as a strategist too. Not a whole lot of new stuff. The American Institute has a DICS scale (directing/ influencing/ supportive/ contemplative). This tracks your preference against two scales: change versus acceptance and task-oriented versus people-oriented.

I was happy that I came out as "influencer" which is change+people instead of another "wallflower" type of classification!

http://www.hscar.com/amadisc.htm

[Nighthawk]

So, Nighthawk, you pulled a Fox Mulder?! WAY COOL! :thumbup:The whole story is at
http://www.intpcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3037 ;)

[DevRock]

As a next step in life, I've been thinking about getting a Masters degree in Physical Therapy. It seems interesting and I'm sure that I'll like the whole learning process, but my INTP personality is beginning to scare me away from jumping in. You see, my record has been to devote all of my energy and time into something, say, for a few years and then move on to something different.
PT would require me to go back to school for another four years. My concern is wasting money if I decide to move on to pursue something else when the four years is up.
I guess my question is... are there any INTPs who love their job and fathom sticking around for a bit? Insight, anyone?


PT is a TOUGH field to get into. My friend is a PT and I recall his first semester in grad school where they do a remarkable job of weeding out more than half the class. Good luck if you go, though!!

[airjaw]

Amen!!! I lost 4 years of my life in the Navy and I hated every second of it.

I've been a software engineer for the last 15 years. It has its ups and downs. At the beginning of a project I'm excited and can't wait to get to work. Towards the end of a project I hate my life and start frequenting Monster.com. Luckily, most of the projects I work on are of short duration.

I still wonder from time to time what it would have been like to be an architect, anthropologist, professional sculptor or animator.

Whats it like being in the Navy?
I'm considering going in cuz i'm bored and I like considering new things.

[Creamzsoda]

Whats it like being in the Navy?
I'm considering going in cuz i'm bored and I like considering new things.

dont

[drdolittle]

I noticed someone said they thought about being a physician. Don't. The F part is just way too much. Also, "standard of care" practice sort of dictates that you do things exactly the same as the next guy, basically killing any chance for creativity. You can do it, but if you're wrong (which happens to all of us humans eventually) you are open to crucifiction in a court.
I'm an ER doc, which plays to some of the INTPs strengths. I am the first to lay eyes on a patient and for the most part, their doctors rely on me to figure out what the hell is wrong with them and get them stabilized. Difficult diagnosis turns me on. Critically ill patients turn me on (guess it's like the deadline thing). Seeing 80 year olds with chest pain kills me. Same old routine. Order labs, admit whether it seems likely to be cardiac chest pain or not. The risk of being wrong is about 2% nationwide, and you will be uninsurable quickly if you take any chances. Explaining to some people why its no use to get an MRI the first few hours after they hurt their back hurts me too. They simply don't believe you or think you're a dumbass.
Got another kid coming in the next month. I think I'm going to work this gig for another 18 months. This fall I plan on applying to an MPH program. I'd like to do some research and try to organize medicine in a sustainable model. By the way, medicare will be bankrupt in the next ten years without major change.
Like the idea of economics too. What about being a financial analyst or planner? I dabble int the markets but the data aquisition (S) seems to put me off too much.

[Ferrus]

Alas, teaching, if I am unable to find a job in an accountancy firm. My design is to teach, then if a year of teaching insufferable shit makes me want to hang myself I shall gain a TEFL qualification and teach English in Eastern Europe (possibly facilitating my ardent wish to learn a second language before I perish). After two years I may take a distance course MA in applied linguistics and move on to ESL, permanent teaching and more managerial roles.

As for that test, I took it and came out as Strategist.

[Autumn]

Well, basically, you become a 'jack of all trades, master of none'.
How true! I used to think I have all the abilitys except one: the ability to use my abilitys.
Problem is my interest is so wide. And it's changing randomly all the time. I often end up surfing on the net instead of working (I'm a programmer)... sometimes I wonder why they don't fire me :devil:. Other times when I'm really into it I can work very hard.
Airjaw mentioned in another thread that
Any INTP over age 35 with a good amount of experience should automatically be given a special grant by the US to just sit around and give advice to people all day.
I'd love a job like that I think.
Too bad society favoures specialization so much over variegation :(

[Faust06]

The diversity I crave for most is probably change in environment. It's very possible to have a job like that, but I haven't heard of any that I'd like... yet. Really, I have enough interests that I don't really need a job that makes me "utilize all of my abilities".

When I try to think about which of my abilities are neglected, I never come up with anything that a job could satisfy. Some are just unpractical in a working environment, but they're still important.

[Oculus Sinister]

Self-employment is quite appealing to me, except that health insurance rates are often astronomical.

Can you write off health insurance? Its deductible I thought.

[Oculus Sinister]

Anything involving ergonomics. The conceptual part of design would be great, the details and specs would be bore-ass for sure.

You could probably make some sort of niche by designing workplaces for function (emphasis on ergonomics and workflow) with some PT training...

anthropometry would be a great concept to apply.

[FuelShopTech]

Whats it like being in the Navy?
I'm considering going in cuz i'm bored and I like considering new things.

And before anyone suggests it, don't join the Air Force either.

[Earl_of_Burl]

And before anyone suggests it, don't join the Air Force either.

Why?

[FuelShopTech]

Why?

Many reasons. However, the Air Force is usually portrayed around here as "INTP-friendly," which it really isn't.

[Earl_of_Burl]

In my opinion, it is the most "INTP friendly" branch.

[Nighthawk]

Can you write off health insurance? Its deductible I thought.

Yes, I'm pretty sure I could ... now come the big hurdles about me being a lousy salesman and reluctant manager.

[Nighthawk]

Many reasons. However, the Air Force is usually portrayed around here as "INTP-friendly," which it really isn't.

Trust me ... Army is lower on the totem pole, although I realize I am simply choosing lesser evils.

[FuelShopTech]

Trust me ... Army is lower on the totem pole, although I realize I am simply choosing lesser evils.

I realize that, however, the Air Force being "better than the Army" does not equate to the Air Force being "good for INTPs."

[nittanylion302]

Many INTP who have taken the BBC Test, results in The Strategist (http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/personalityandindividuality/whatamilike/strategist.shtml). I think like that description, I would consider INTPs also being the most likely to say they are unhappy in their job. I have worked for the government for ten years. It took me five years, and three times as a finalist in interviews, to get the job. I have spent the last five years trying to get out. I would think that working as a consultant would be something I would enjoy.

what's so bad about government work? I was thinking that perhaps a government economist would be a pretty interesting gig for an INTP

[tatsutahime6]

Long-term? If you're an INTP, good luck. Otherwise, just make sure that whatever you decide to do in the "long" short term can earn you enough money to go back to school for the next adventure. :p

[Skydiver]

I'd also would not suggest a military career path for an INTP.

Military Career path worked fine for me for 20 years...6 months to learn a job, a year or two of drilling the performance levels, 6 months to find the next job. As a senior guy I was able to fix the things I saw broken as a young guy. That all worked. But I was in the Military Engineering game, maybe the other options would not have worked so well.

But yeah, what was last year? Leanred poker and played that for 10 months. Quit completely on Halloween as the game was just stupid. Wrote a novel in November. Worked through 2 or 3 riddle sites in December. All the while having a day job that pays the bills.

I looked over the photo page here and am still surprised that there are people who try to pass themselves off as INTP's while smiling.

C'mon. If you are taking time out from collecting competencies...I really gotta wonder.

[Theodoret]

Currently working as a forecast analyst, previously as an accountant (not recommended) and before that as a strategic supply chain manager.

Supply chain is a nice section of a business to show off your analytical skills as there are always plenty of things going wrong due to bad process design.

Down side is that you have to deal with a lot of horribly irrational people who would like you to conjure things out of thin air yesterday. Unless your boss is the sort who will support you when you tell someone to piss off, that can be a problem. Was particularly so for strategic stock management, as you are making decisions that benefit the business as a whole - so some times they will harm the interests of certain groups within a business.

Forecast analysis is more supply chain, but I don't have to do all the stock shuffling. Sadly the moron brigade are still there:

Idiots: "We don't like your forecast, its too low."
Me: "The forecast is supported by the historical data".
Idiots: "Yeah but we are going to do better this time. Change the forecast to match our sales target."
Me: "Then why have a statistical forecast at all if you are just going to fudge it?"
Boss: "Just do what they ask. You know we sometimes have to comprimise."
Me: :mad:
Boss "You seem a little tense today. Nothing troubling you I hope."
Me: :mad:

[Nighthawk]

Military Career path worked fine for me for 20 years...6 months to learn a job, a year or two of drilling the performance levels, 6 months to find the next job. As a senior guy I was able to fix the things I saw broken as a young guy. That all worked. But I was in the Military Engineering game, maybe the other options would not have worked so well.


You have my eternal admiration. I fell afoul of my superiors and could not work it out. Although ... I did remain in the reserves. Just got out last October. I was in the Army (armor branch), so things might have been a bit different. Hard to tell. I did enjoy having a different job every 12-18 months.

[todayme]

I think INTP s would make good psycologists, who agrees. Good one on one they listen to us and we are in control ha ha

[Oculus Sinister]

I think INTP s would make good psycologists, who agrees. Good one on one they listen to us and we are in control ha ha

Where is the problem solving in that? Humans are the most vial, sadistic and irrational creatures on this planet. You would be more of a humanitarian as a sniper than a psychologist.

[Veradicere]

I think INTP s would make good psycologists, who agrees. Good one on one they listen to us and we are in control ha ha

I tried that...bad idea. I was in a clinical psych Ph.D program. You have to do a bunch of IQ and personality assessments, which are a nightmare to administer. Imagine 8 hours alone in a room with a person who doesn't want to be there, administering tedious tests. Then imagine doing it every other day.

Therapy isn't fun either. The one-on-one exploration was fun, but not the "technique" part. Or the stereotypical touchy feely attitude you're supposed to have. But it is fun to speculate about your clients, and write reports that try to guess what's going on in their head.

The research part is great. Except a little too much writing for me. I just want to do the research and then move on. Instead I have to write papers, try to get published, go to conferences, etc.

In summary, if I could just speculate about people all day without actually having to talk to them or "fix" them, and do research without actually having to communicate it to others, I'd still be in that Ph.D program.

[TryIt]

I don't think it's such a bad idea for all intp's. And of course, not all psych is clinical (though it is the largest specialty).

I've been thinking about it too, seems interesting enough with lots of variety possible.

According to this site, 8.5% of psychologists are intp. Considering intp is around 1% of society, I'd say that is pretty significant.

discoveryourpersonality.com/newsletter6.html