INTP career guidance

[Max]

I am, without a doubt, an INTP. Everything I read on it hits home. Anyways, here I am trying to get advice on what to do with my life. Let me give some info on who I am.

I slacked off in high school until my senior year. I took all AP classes and totally turned my academic performance around. The challenge and doubt of me succeeding pushed me forward. I got into a good college and picked physics(nanotech) as my major. After my first year of partying and some studying I dropped out. I lived by myself and drank myself to sleep every other day. It was very depressing. I impulsively(I do this a lot) joined the Navy to operate nuclear reactors in submarines. I dropped out of bootcamp because I was very sick and depressed. I kind of changed my mind and thought it was a mistake. So I moved back home and registered at my local college. I took all film classes because I had an interest in being a director. That is, I had a lot of crazy ideas that I thought would be unique. But I quickly gave up and dropped out. Impulsively, I drove from S. Florida to N. California by myself. After a month of looking for work and having no money I drove back. I learned the hardship of poverty and how valuable a degree can be. So, this leads me to the present. I just finished my 2nd semester after returning. A total of 6 classes and made all A's in them. I am trying real hard to bring up my gpa thatI destroyed my freshman year. Anywho, I am majoring in Engineering. And this leads to my real questions.

What major will be best for me? I have though about being a photographer, film director, entrepreneur, mixed martial arts fighter, physicist, pilot, president/senator, chemist, nutritionalist, engineer, and an artist. I have interests in all of these fields but never read up on them as a hobbie or for the sake of knowledge. I suppose I'm scared to pick one thing. WIll I like it? Am I good at it? I am confident that I will be good/best at anything I put my mind to. I feel like living the simple life and another part of me feels like I have a big future a head. I want to be president and change the world. I want to be a pilot. I want to be a lot of things.

My mother is an artist and my father was a nothing. I am more like my father. I can't hold a job and I'm depressed. He never finished college and led a low-life. He just scraped by. My mother owns her own business. I find myself thinking of art ideas. I like working with my hands. I love building and fixing things. Especially if it's mechanical. I can picture myself being a professional sculptor or whatever. Ok, so I start taking some drawing/sculpting classes. I make a career out of it. Ok, fine. But, what about the other me who wants to research genetics or be a theoretical physicist? Or how about that engineering company I could see myself running. To be part of that elite class in America. Am I looking for a job that is the utmost respectable? I think so. I care more about what people think of me than other factors. So, this leads me to the major of physics or something highly respectable. Then I tell myself that isn't the right mode of thinking. Do what I love. But, what do I love to do? All I really do is sit on my ass and go to the gym(helps curve depression a lot) and school. I just love to think about that "what if's" in life. I don't know anything anymore really.

I'm lost.

 

[Decaf]

This is gonna sound odd I think, but do what you're good at. INTP interests are fleeting, and that's part of what makes life fun. Jumping from one hobby to the next expanding our knowledge base and diversity of ability. For your career? Do what you're good at. When it comes down to it, what will allow you to feel comfortable in your job as you explore your interests in your spare time is the knowledge that you're good at what you do.

You may not feel particularly inspired sometimes by your choice, but the stronger you get in a subject, the more diversity you'll find in its application. Become excellent at something you find easy and then apply it to what you find interesting.

 

[bluesquid]

your not lost. Its how we do!

Im doing much better than my friends who went right off to school. They all came out automatons with debt, and still make less than me.The future seems so clear, but it isnt clear or defined.

There is no easy answer. Just try to be productive. Depression being a bad thing is an illusion. Listen to it. Keep a job, and learn about the world and yourself. Your an ugly duckling right now, but give it some time out there. You will reap the rewards from all this discomfort some day.

 

[Max]

This is gonna sound odd I think, but do what you're good at. INTP interests are fleeting, and that's part of what makes life fun. Jumping from one hobby to the next expanding our knowledge base and diversity of ability. For your career? Do what you're good at. When it comes down to it, what will allow you to feel comfortable in your job as you explore your interests in your spare time is the knowledge that you're good at what you do.

You may not feel particularly inspired sometimes by your choice, but the stronger you get in a subject, the more diversity you'll find in its application. Become excellent at something you find easy and then apply it to what you find interesting.

I am good at figuring out problems. Fixing things. Do I want to be a plumber? hell no. I could do brainstorming as a physicist. Though, I do get bored with subjects easily. So, I am scared to major in something. I like to visualize things. Such as a movie scene I could be directing or a complex sculpture. Or the atoms in random materials(mostly in awe that it could exist as so). I'm driving myself crazy. I mean, I have 2 weeks until my next semester starts. Core classes in engineering. Thus, I am trying to find out if it's worth my time to continue studying engineering if I really don't see myself doing it.

 

[Ermine]

I remember reading a good bit of advice in another thread, I don't remember where. It basically said that you shouldn't only pick a major you like, but a major whose downsides you can tolerate the best.

Hope that helps.

 

[Max]

your not lost. Its how we do!

Im doing much better than my friends who went right off to school. They all came out automatons with debt, and still make less than me.The future seems so clear, but it isnt clear or defined.

There is no easy answer. Just try to be productive. Depression being a bad thing is an illusion. Listen to it. Keep a job, and learn about the world and yourself. Your an ugly duckling right now, but give it some time out there. You will reap the rewards from all this discomfort some day.

I have seen my friends do the same as well. And I'm not really depressed anymore. A ' little, but I look forward towards my future. My future is in my hands. And since it is, I can make it a really successful one if I can only find something to fully dedicate myself to. Once I'm focused there's no stopping me.

I ask myself "What's my ultimate goal in life?" I always say "To go into space." There's nothing else in this world greater to me than to experience that. As a result, my latest direction has been towards aerospace engineering w/ a minor in business. May sound crazy, but I dream of building my own private space ship. Don't get me wrong. I understand that majoring in engineering is very difficult. So don't think I just toss the idea around like it's simple.

 

[KazeCraven]

I read that too, Ermine, and I agree. One popular pipe dream states, "Do what you love and you will never have to work a day in your life!" While that statement contains some truth, INTPs are typically not passionate about any one thing for long. However, working at a job that you can tolerate on a day-to-day basis (for INTPs that also requires that the job is not overly simplistic) is a recipe for success.

Conventional wisdom which states that Engineering == hard seems false. While I only took one semester of Chemical Engineering, I found it painfully easy (a.k.a. overly simplistic) and was "assured" that later courses would be extensions of the same. Therefore I conclude that Chemical Engineering, and by extension Engineering in general, is not difficult for the typical INTP.

If you have already decided your ultimate goal in life, then the obvious answer is to pursue it. I would add, however, that anything that requires technical problem solving or critical thinking and analysis (engineering) would likely satisfy the typical INTP. In regards to your snide remark about plumbers, I would guess that you are more interested in problem solving and, as I assume you already know, engineers don't do anything like plumbing. I met with an aerospace engineer a few summers ago who stated that he essentially is presented with problems concerning aircraft and attempts to devise solutions for said aircraft. In short, he tells people how to fix things.

I also am currently in college, but I am studying Cognitive Science and Computational Science. I plan to do research and eventually become a professor, applying my knowledge to a variety of different fields (as computational science aids progress in numerous scientific areas). Having to learn about new fields in order to apply my knowledge to them only makes my plans more exciting. No one ever said that one must stick with one career his entire life. It just takes a little effort on your part.

 

[Max]

^^ Thanks. Actually, thanks to everyone who replied.

I think engineering is hard in the sense of studying. I find it very difficult to sit down and study math. I just got an A in my calc III class. It's not hard, but the studying is. I'm taking physics 2 + lab, chm I + lab, and diff. eq. next semester. I think it's going to be terribly hard for me to study off of that. I can only sit down for 10min at a time. I'd rather be taking pictures lol. But I suppose I must fall back on the old philosophy my father once said. The only thing I really remember too. "Work hard now, play later." That usually helps me stay on track. To get back to studying. Knowing that in 2 years I will have my degree in aerospace engineering w/ a minor in business. It's exciting. I think as the courses get harder I will enjoy them more. I really hate basic courses. After this semester, all of the general classes will be done with and I can start with the relative and specific work.I jump with joy when I hear about an engineering project or competition. You have to do such and such to win. To make a device to do something. I get so geared up. On that note, I suppose engineering is the right path. There is a lot of creativity associated with it. I think I tend to forget this and seek other creative majors. Aerospace engineering it is? We'll see. What does the future hold? Amazing things no doubt.

Oh, and I love cognitive science. The brain fascinates me. Though, I am heavy in math and haven't taken any biology/chem classes yet. I would be at a disadvantage if I switched over. Also, that would void my plan of aerospace too. Anyways, thanks for taking the time to comment! I do appreciate everyone.

 

[Max]

Testing my signature.

 

[Trebuchet]

It sounds like you don't love being a student or have a great desire to accumulate degrees and live in an academic environment. If that is the case, theoretical physics is out. You have to have a PhD to sweep the floors, it seems like. Same with chemistry and cognitive psychology. Lab technicians, however, don't always need a PhD, so maybe that would work.

Engineering is a good choice because you never stop learning, and a bachelor's degree is enough. Many kinds let you work with your hands, too.

Art, photography, and film are hard, hard ways to try to support yourself, but if you love art, you should try to include it as part of your life, whatever you do.

Politics isn't a natural place for an INTP, but it can be done, I suppose. It would mean living a very public life, and taking insults with a smile. Glad-handing, fundraising, and cheerleading. Dressing according to fashion rather than comfort or practicality. Even if you are completely honest as a politician, you'd still have to do those things to succeed. If you are merely interested in the political process, politicians have staff and an INTP could do very well there. So politics, international relations, economics, or something like that would let you get involved.

Becoming a professional pilot is extremely expensive and takes a long time. The work hours are long but sporadic, and there aren't that many employers. The physical requirements are stringent. Again, if you love flying, there is no reason not to take it up on the side. Ultralights are fun, and less expensive, and there are a lot of flying schools that will let you take up a Piper Cub and feel the freedom.

My dad, an INTP and engineer, always says, "Be a technical person in a non-technical field." I think this is great advice. I have done well in corporate training with my bachelor's degree in physics. A physics major I graduated with actually did end up as a photographer, which she pursued on the side while getting her degree. My best friend is a math major who supports his theatre habit with technical support jobs. Once you have a technical degree, you have all the tools necessary to do whatever you want, really, since you can learn, analyze, solve, and imagine just about anything. So I think your current path is probably a good one.

If you are like me (and you are, at least so far as being a generalist with varied interests), you will probably end up in a job where things aren't the same every day, and you get new challenges. Who knows what that will be? I think that is more dependent on your boss, which might be you, than the actual job title.

 

[Ermine]

Art, photography, and film are hard, hard ways to try to support yourself, but if you love art, you should try to include it as part of your life, whatever you do.

Ahem. The arts are still challenging, but it's much easier than it used to be to be an artist. This is especially true with the advent of the internet and a bit of a creative revolution in the business world. Creative people are in high demand, be it for art, design, photography/film, or consultation and planning.

 

[Max]

It sounds like you don't love being a student or have a great desire to accumulate degrees and live in an academic environment. If that is the case, theoretical physics is out. You have to have a PhD to sweep the floors, it seems like. Same with chemistry and cognitive psychology. Lab technicians, however, don't always need a PhD, so maybe that would work.

I do have a desire to be part of the elite scientists. I find physics and genetics and the mind fascinating. I could definitely do those. But, that is a LOT of academia. PhD would be in my sights. A lab tech? nooo. I strive to be the best. I couldn't live with myself being that. What's the hardest thing I could be? The most respected and intellectually difficult. That leads me to neuroscience, physics, and chemistry. At the highest level possible. That's who I am. Be the best at whatever I pick. I'm not saying I would be the best but I would certainly try my best. I have a lot of confidence in that sense. I don't enjoy being a student right now because I am working on general requirements and nothing specific. I'm not getting a taste of any field yet. That's why I hate it right now. I remember when I was majoring in nanotechnology. They have nano physics, optics, etc.. that I wasn't able to take yet. I dropped out and said to myself that I would probably really enjoy those classes. To get into the meat of things. I think that will happen come my junior year.

Engineering is a good choice because you never stop learning, and a bachelor's degree is enough. Many kinds let you work with your hands, too.

This is true. This is ideal.

Art, photography, and film are hard, hard ways to try to support yourself, but if you love art, you should try to include it as part of your life, whatever you do.

I know how hard it is for artists to "make it." I'm kind of set now on engineering so I'm just going to explore this route as a hobby.

Politics isn't a natural place for an INTP, but it can be done, I suppose. It would mean living a very public life, and taking insults with a smile. Glad-handing, fundraising, and cheerleading. Dressing according to fashion rather than comfort or practicality. Even if you are completely honest as a politician, you'd still have to do those things to succeed. If you are merely interested in the political process, politicians have staff and an INTP could do very well there. So politics, international relations, economics, or something like that would let you get involved.

Am I interested in politics? Yes and no. I find it necessary to read up on politics. To know the process of government, etc... I can see myself running for mayor. I can't see myself doing the campaigning though. Or maybe? I suppose if I had the knowledge of politics I wouldn't mind campaigning towards my ideals. I'm just not sure.

Becoming a professional pilot is extremely expensive and takes a long time. The work hours are long but sporadic, and there aren't that many employers. The physical requirements are stringent. Again, if you love flying, there is no reason not to take it up on the side. Ultralights are fun, and less expensive, and there are a lot of flying schools that will let you take up a Piper Cub and feel the freedom.

I know it's very expensive. I looked at this in high school. I took flying lessons, etc... and for some reason at the time I didn't like it. Granted, I was a different person then. I like it now. Though, I can't afford the $120/hr training just yet! Another hobby.

My dad, an INTP and engineer, always says, "Be a technical person in a non-technical field." I think this is great advice. I have done well in corporate training with my bachelor's degree in physics. A physics major I graduated with actually did end up as a photographer, which she pursued on the side while getting her degree. ?? My best friend is a math major who supports his theatre habit with technical support jobs. Once you have a technical degree, you have all the tools necessary to do whatever you want, really, since you can learn, analyze, solve, and imagine just about anything. So I think your current path is probably a good one.

Your father gave good advice. I'll never forget that. I hate physics 1 and 2. Did you enjoy the upper level physics courses more than the physics 1&2?

If you are like me (and you are, at least so far as being a generalist with varied interests), you will probably end up in a job where things aren't the same every day, and you get new challenges. Who knows what that will be? I think that is more dependent on your boss, which might be you, than the actual job title.

Indeed. I must thank you for organizing your post. It helps! Thanks for your time too. I hope to apply all the advice i've received here and make a good decision on my future.

 

[warryer]

I am on the home stretch of my engineering degree. One thing that helped me the most was getting a co-op job. I got to take a year off and work for a company doing engineering related jobs. While the co-op wasn't the greatest (I was only a student) I know now that this degree is going to help get me where I want to be.

One day I envision myself owning my own company which I will sell and build a private lab where I can research whatever my heart desires.

(I too want to go to space)

 

[Max]

I am on the home stretch of my engineering degree. One thing that helped me the most was getting a co-op job. I got to take a year off and work for a company doing engineering related jobs. While the co-op wasn't the greatest (I was only a student) I know now that this degree is going to help get me where I want to be.

One day I envision myself owning my own company which I will sell and build a private lab where I can research whatever my heart desires.

(I too want to go to space)

That's good! An internship/co-op is in my sights soon. Once I move.

Private space flight is already here. Commercial space flight is right around the corner. The next step is making it practical. Then eventually individual space craft. Hopefully I'm at the right place at the right time.

 

[bluesquid]

That's good! An internship/co-op is in my sights soon. Once I move.

Private space flight is already here. Commercial space flight is right around the corner. The next step is making it practical. Then eventually individual space craft. Hopefully I'm at the right place at the right time.

Better shoot for the stars, lol. Go all out. Not going to be many jobs in the near future. Competition will be fierce.

I wish I was in your shoes. Could be amazing.

 

[Trebuchet]

I do have a desire to be part of the elite scientists. I find physics and genetics and the mind fascinating.

Oh, yeah. I wanted to be J Robert Oppenheimer when I was 12 (but, you know, a girl Oppenheimer). I also spend a lot of time reading about the mind, especially cognitive and developmental psychology, so I know about that too. I also wanted to be the best, at the top of my field, so every thing you said is very familiar to me. I no longer look down on lab techs, though.

I can see myself running for mayor.

Mayor could certainly happen. Lots of people who run for mayor or other local offices aren't career politicians. I used to work for a city and got to know some of them, and they all pretty much had other jobs. They got involved for various reasons, including power, a desire to do good in the world, and a sense of civic duty. Some of them had engineering degrees, so I don't see how this would be ruled out whatever you did.

Your father gave good advice. I'll never forget that. I hate physics 1 and 2. Did you enjoy the upper level physics courses more than the physics 1&2?

Mostly yes. I didn't do that well in Statistical Mechanics, which is a problem for an astrophysics major, let me tell you. Theoretical Mechanics was made a lot harder by a prof in his first year of teaching. (He got better, by all accounts.) But Senior E&M was awesome, Optics went well, I loved Electronics lab, and enjoyed Relativity. So on the whole I would say yes. With mastery of the basic material came a feeling of competence and excitement, and that happened to the Engineers I knew, too. [/QUOTE]


Ermine, you are right about the demand for creative people, and INTPs are nothing if not creative. But my actor, photographer, and graphic designer friends all have to keep selling their work, the way consultants do. They report to me that it is hard. But I haven't actually worked in such a field myself. I do think art is a fundamentally human activity, fun, pleasurable, and valuable, and should be pursued by anyone who is interested in it, and I hope my remarks didn't come across as being anti-artist.

 

[jhbowden]

What major will be best for me?

Go to college, do not graduate, and never, ever leave. (The major really doesn't matter!)

That's my best advice.
​

 

[Gather_Wanderer]

I am, without a doubt, an INTP. Everything I read on it hits home. Anyways, here I am trying to get advice on what to do with my life. Let me give some info on who I am.

I slacked off in high school until my senior year. I took all AP classes and totally turned my academic performance around. The challenge and doubt of me succeeding pushed me forward. I got into a good college and picked physics(nanotech) as my major. After my first year of partying and some studying I dropped out. I lived by myself and drank myself to sleep every other day. It was very depressing. I impulsively(I do this a lot) joined the Navy to operate nuclear reactors in submarines. I dropped out of bootcamp because I was very sick and depressed. I kind of changed my mind and thought it was a mistake. So I moved back home and registered at my local college. I took all film classes because I had an interest in being a director. That is, I had a lot of crazy ideas that I thought would be unique. But I quickly gave up and dropped out. Impulsively, I drove from S. Florida to N. California by myself. After a month of looking for work and having no money I drove back. I learned the hardship of poverty and how valuable a degree can be. So, this leads me to the present. I just finished my 2nd semester after returning. A total of 6 classes and made all A's in them. I am trying real hard to bring up my gpa thatI destroyed my freshman year. Anywho, I am majoring in Engineering. And this leads to my real questions.

What major will be best for me? I have though about being a photographer, film director, entrepreneur, mixed martial arts fighter, physicist, pilot, president/senator, chemist, nutritionalist, engineer, and an artist. I have interests in all of these fields but never read up on them as a hobbie or for the sake of knowledge. I suppose I'm scared to pick one thing. WIll I like it? Am I good at it? I am confident that I will be good/best at anything I put my mind to. I feel like living the simple life and another part of me feels like I have a big future a head. I want to be president and change the world. I want to be a pilot. I want to be a lot of things.

My mother is an artist and my father was a nothing. I am more like my father. I can't hold a job and I'm depressed. He never finished college and led a low-life. He just scraped by. My mother owns her own business. I find myself thinking of art ideas. I like working with my hands. I love building and fixing things. Especially if it's mechanical. I can picture myself being a professional sculptor or whatever. Ok, so I start taking some drawing/sculpting classes. I make a career out of it. Ok, fine. But, what about the other me who wants to research genetics or be a theoretical physicist? Or how about that engineering company I could see myself running. To be part of that elite class in America. Am I looking for a job that is the utmost respectable? I think so. I care more about what people think of me than other factors. So, this leads me to the major of physics or something highly respectable. Then I tell myself that isn't the right mode of thinking. Do what I love. But, what do I love to do? All I really do is sit on my ass and go to the gym(helps curve depression a lot) and school. I just love to think about that "what if's" in life. I don't know anything anymore really.

I'm lost.

man, i can't believe how similar we are. i do the EXACT same things you do and have the EXACT same thoughts. who the hell are you? were you created by the government somehow to screw around with my existence? are you my real dad? do you stalk me and observe me at night doing stuff?
(just kidding on those last few statements)

only difference is maybe our backgrounds. my dad is a something, mom is too. got married early out of wedlock and are completely different people but somehow managed to stay together for....27 years now, is it?
but yeah, those thoughts sound exactly like my past thoughts, except maybe i'm younger than you? i'm not sure how old you are but since you seem to have passed some time in school already and tried out military service i'm guessing you're at least older than me at 22.
i also have contemplated the military for years and am strongly considering joining, except i'd be heading for the air force. i also joined a gym 2 years ago and have come a long way in there.

seriously though, everything you said is everything i've ever said. congratulations on successfully making me not as unique, dammit...
oh yeah and in high school, i started off by taking all AP classes but then failed out of those since i wandered off into my own mind. ended up taking normal-level classes the next year or so until i thought "i still need to feel a little prestige in what i'm doing in my everyday life", so i stepped up to honors level classes. haha, my mom always told me i was special and i beileved it. i probably was smart though, so maybe she wasn't wrong? i dont know. never had a year where i got great grades, maybe average grades once or twice. i passed high school by identifying precisely how much effort i needed to expend and how much i needed to do to get by. class, in the history of my schooling, had never been a challenge. once i figure something out.....game over. i assume it will be too easy (usually is), pointless, and would no longer try.

i don't know what else to write, since i feel like my life was already in the process of being lived before i was born. thanks a lot, guy.
maybe more girls like me than you.......hmm......but then again, you go to the gym too and are probably past my level by now.....
this sucks, kinda.

 

[dbtng_thomas]

I love how we 'unique' INTPs are simply floored by seeing someone else that acts in the contradictory, unbalanced way that we do. It feels good to recognize yourself in another.

 

[Max]

man, i can't believe how similar we are. i do the EXACT same things you do and have the EXACT same thoughts. who the hell are you? were you created by the government somehow to screw around with my existence? are you my real dad? do you stalk me and observe me at night doing stuff?
(just kidding on those last few statements)

only difference is maybe our backgrounds. my dad is a something, mom is too. got married early out of wedlock and are completely different people but somehow managed to stay together for....27 years now, is it?
but yeah, those thoughts sound exactly like my past thoughts, except maybe i'm younger than you? i'm not sure how old you are but since you seem to have passed some time in school already and tried out military service i'm guessing you're at least older than me at 22.
i also have contemplated the military for years and am strongly considering joining, except i'd be heading for the air force. i also joined a gym 2 years ago and have come a long way in there.

seriously though, everything you said is everything i've ever said. congratulations on successfully making me not as unique, dammit...
oh yeah and in high school, i started off by taking all AP classes but then failed out of those since i wandered off into my own mind. ended up taking normal-level classes the next year or so until i thought "i still need to feel a little prestige in what i'm doing in my everyday life", so i stepped up to honors level classes. haha, my mom always told me i was special and i beileved it. i probably was smart though, so maybe she wasn't wrong? i dont know. never had a year where i got great grades, maybe average grades once or twice. i passed high school by identifying precisely how much effort i needed to expend and how much i needed to do to get by. class, in the history of my schooling, had never been a challenge. once i figure something out.....game over. i assume it will be too easy (usually is), pointless, and would no longer try.

i don't know what else to write, since i feel like my life was already in the process of being lived before i was born. thanks a lot, guy.
maybe more girls like me than you.......hmm......but then again, you go to the gym too and are probably past my level by now.....
this sucks, kinda.

Lol. Funny isn't it? Anyways, I've been busy with school and really depressed. That's why I haven't responded. I was pumped for another semester. Now I am completely burnt out. As always, I feel like quitting school. I said "ok" and thought of becoming a physicist. I'm about to finish my AA in engineering/whatever. It's really tough since I have NO interest in my homework. Physics 2 w/calc, Chem 1, labs for both and Diff. Eq. A lot of math that I really have no idea what i'm doing. So I sit at my computer with a bunch of physics homework and I day dream of being a film director. But wait a minute! I was going the film route before when I was told i'd never make it and dropped out. I drove to california and had one hell of a rough time. But I keep thinking about it. I am highly visual and think I could do really well as a director or an artist(my mother is one). But then I ask myself is this my passion? No, because I would of been making movies since I was a kid or drawing something. It's not something I get up and do on my own. Just like physics, I need a course to make me do the work. I like to do some layman's reading on physics but the nitty-gritty stuff makes me say "holy shit." To get a physics degree, I would have to study so hard and understand the fundamentals. This way I can truly understand the universe and that is the ultimate success. But, what kind of life would I live? The best physicists are book worms and love what they do. I don't love anything. But I want to be the best at whatever I do. So now it's to late to drop my classes. So I figure I would do my best and make all A's (despite how hard it is for me to study). Then try to figure out my next step. It's scary changing around so much yet not going anywhere. I'm trying to find my "passion" because I know that's what makes a good career. I am a big dreamer but not much of a doer. I want to live a creative life. Not boring. Something that is changing. Would I rather wake up in the morning and go teach a physics class at a university or go into my home studio and work on a sculpture or go to a film set and envision my work? Honestly.... I think the only reason why I am going for physics is so people will have respect for me. The awe effect. To say "fuck you, I'm better than everyone" and stick my chin high in the air. That's no way to live. I am kind of scared to tell everyone(not many people actually) that I said fuck a physics degree I am going for film/art. But I am trying to figure out if that's what I would like. Because sure enough I would start taking art classes and become totally unmotivated and bored. It's the excitement of something new that gets me going but once I'm there I stop and quit. I want to live a simple life and do what I love. But what is that?

Sorry for the scatter-brained post. I have a LOT of shit in my head and I am quite overwhelmed by it all. I really hate school. I just want to jump into a career and make some money. But, McDonald's isn't my gig.

 

[Gather_Wanderer]

Lol. Funny isn't it? Anyways, I've been busy with school and really depressed. That's why I haven't responded. I was pumped for another semester. Now I am completely burnt out. As always, I feel like quitting school. I said "ok" and thought of becoming a physicist. I'm about to finish my AA in engineering/whatever. It's really tough since I have NO interest in my homework. Physics 2 w/calc, Chem 1, labs for both and Diff. Eq. A lot of math that I really have no idea what i'm doing. So I sit at my computer with a bunch of physics homework and I day dream of being a film director. But wait a minute! I was going the film route before when I was told i'd never make it and dropped out. I drove to california and had one hell of a rough time. But I keep thinking about it. I am highly visual and think I could do really well as a director or an artist(my mother is one). But then I ask myself is this my passion? No, because I would of been making movies since I was a kid or drawing something. It's not something I get up and do on my own. Just like physics, I need a course to make me do the work. I like to do some layman's reading on physics but the nitty-gritty stuff makes me say "holy shit." To get a physics degree, I would have to study so hard and understand the fundamentals. This way I can truly understand the universe and that is the ultimate success. But, what kind of life would I live? The best physicists are book worms and love what they do. I don't love anything. But I want to be the best at whatever I do. So now it's to late to drop my classes. So I figure I would do my best and make all A's (despite how hard it is for me to study). Then try to figure out my next step. It's scary changing around so much yet not going anywhere. I'm trying to find my "passion" because I know that's what makes a good career. I am a big dreamer but not much of a doer. I want to live a creative life. Not boring. Something that is changing. Would I rather wake up in the morning and go teach a physics class at a university or go into my home studio and work on a sculpture or go to a film set and envision my work? Honestly.... I think the only reason why I am going for physics is so people will have respect for me. The awe effect. To say "fuck you, I'm better than everyone" and stick my chin high in the air. That's no way to live. I am kind of scared to tell everyone(not many people actually) that I said fuck a physics degree I am going for film/art. But I am trying to figure out if that's what I would like. Because sure enough I would start taking art classes and become totally unmotivated and bored. It's the excitement of something new that gets me going but once I'm there I stop and quit. I want to live a simple life and do what I love. But what is that?

Sorry for the scatter-brained post. I have a LOT of shit in my head and I am quite overwhelmed by it all. I really hate school. I just want to jump into a career and make some money. But, McDonald's isn't my gig.

ah, i see. this line "I don't love anything. But I want to be the best at whatever I do" is probably the most revealing of both of our struggles right now. i've been indecisive my entire life and have struggled with it more so now than any other period. because of this, i've decided that no matter what i have to make a move. there's always this feeling that you'll never have enough time to do everything you want and i finally understand and believe that to be true. i don't love anything in particular and could see myself in at least 5 different careers and probably wouldn't be too bad at any of them. took a long drive the other day (i love those) and realized that while i could be almost anything i wanted, i could also very well end up as a nothing if i don't begin to do something. i'm still very young right now, as most of my buddies tell me (all in their mid to late 20's) but there seems to be a window for most guys that lasts between 20-25, in which the foundation of their lives is really set. whatever we do, it doesn't have to be for the rest of our lives, but we probably need to get started on something.

the way i'm trying to approach things now is just picking one direction to start and venture out from there. since i don't have any ties to anyone (yay. no kids yet.) i can look at it almost like adventure of some sort. i know i can't be broke and want to be free of slavery, so i don't want to HAVE to report to any job for money. i figure if i set up a nice enough income i can be free to explore without having to worry about necessities.

i think i'll probably have had 3 "major" careers when its all said and done and i can be satisfied with that. we don't live forever and maybe i'll spend my later years wondering somewhat about some other things i could have done, but i'll probably be content. i'll also know that at least i didn't decide to do nothing....
i think i'll spend a lot of my free time wandering around the world (i need to get my passport stamped soon.... just remembered.) and reading. i know i want to learn french and japanese. i want to be a full-time observer of the world, maybe for a small period in my life. i can see myself with headphones on in a train, probably staring out the window looking around, in another country. just traveling from city to city attending events i catch wind of. maybe those will just be vacations i take for myself every year for about a month or so. if there were a girl somewhere who could keep up with me while i did these things??.....that would be the point i would finally have a tie with someone.
yeah..... i just had a fun time envisioning my life before the age of 28, which is the age i predict i will become linked with someone, as in child birth or marriage. i know i can stand my own company the majority of the time and don't need people, but i also know i love girls. and though i do love girls (notice the emphasis in red text, if you haven't already... haha) i know i don't want to take advantage of any and don't want to be making pointless/meaningless connections the rest of my life; that's why i predict marriage for myself sometime. and i do want offspring someday.

oh yeah, and i work in a restaurant right now so yeah, i can tell you mcdonalds ain't your gig. i wonder how other INTPs feel about the restaurant business.....i frequently want to knock someone clean out, just a quick jab to the chin. its almost a requirement to be somewhat of a douchey person in order to stand working there, taking flack from people and co-workers. i swear a lot more often since i started there.

 

[warryer]

The reason I chose to become a mechanical engineer is because of a fantasy book I read. It was about a tinkerer who worked for a king building all kinds of war machines. I realized in essence this character was an engineer.

And before that I used to draw pictures of war scenes. Weapons and vehicles that I created from my imagination.

But as I got older I started to think that I wouldn't want to be responsible for creating anything that would cause harm/death (with that specific intent) to another human being.

I have such a broad range of ideas hence the reason why I hope to strike it big and create an R&D lab. To give you an idea: lunar/asteroid metal extraction, mining with laser beams, fuel created from CO2 & water, solar energy, floating farms, space travel... the list goes on.

But you can see that all of these things share science in one form or another. This is what keeps me going when the times get tough in engineering.

If this isn't enough, you can think of engineering as a mesh of science and art.

 

[daydreamer909]

I don't know where to start man, the similarities between our lives is just way too much. My dad - college drop out, low life guy. Me ma she's a doctor. I dropped out of college my major was computer sc. Tried psychology, studied music, did sound engineering for a week. Nothing at all seemed to satisfy my soul, along came depression and guilt for wasting my mum's hard earned money. Getting wasted became a habit. It was only recently when I read about Albert Einstein in depth FYI he was also an INTP. My love for art and the fear of not making it kept me depressed all the time until I realized that I really don't have to make it my career cuz of the insecurities. I wanted a secure job, with a good reputation but had already wasted three years of my life just sitting on my ass and doing nothing except playing music I guess that's what kept me going. Now coming back to Einstein, he was a great violinist and would have pursued music if not physics but we INTPs don't work like that, for us art is important but its insecurities make us delusional; this made me decide firmly to keep art as a special leisure time for my soul. Apart from this I also read that music truly inspired Einstein to visualize his complex theories.
I am going to join Aerospace Engineering soon, gonna get my act together. You can look into it, its a creative field with space for new ideas and innovations, will get you a steady job as well. All we have to do is believe in ourselves which is really hard to do but necessary as well. We can always take our diverse interests and make art forms in any field.
Have Patience in anything you do and Best of luck!