INTP, unsure of what to

[Rome96]

I have no idea what I want to do once high school is over (except moving out). I have one year left of high school (which sounds like a lot, but I like to have a lot of time to process things) and still haven't decided on what I want to study. There are plenty of subjects I'm interested in, psychology, literature, philosophy, medicine, to name a few. However there are no jobs that I find interesting. Being a medical doctor seems way too hectic and you're basically saying good-bye to your spare time, I like things more flexible. I think being a psychologist would get old very fast and psychotherapy seems a bit pseudo-sciency. Most other subjects don't lead to any good jobs as far as I know. I'm looking for a job with an annual salary of 250 000$+, that's interesting and exciting, but isn't too hectic and with minimal social interaction. I've been doing a lot of reading online and can't find anything that fits my criteria.. Are there even any jobs like that out there?

What do you work as and how much do you enjoy it? If you don't enjoy it at all, what is your dream career? What do you think would be suitable for an INTP? Also, if you're an INTP doctor, would you recommend it?

 

[Architect]

Do a search, it's an endless topic endlessly discussed.

I don't recommend medicine, assuming you're an INTP. Some problem solving but it will put you in a little box with no escape that will drive you mad. A technical field involving computers is your best bet. You can make 250k+ working as a software engineer in Silicon Valley or for Wall Street.

 

[Rome96]

Do a search, it's an endless topic endlessly discussed.

I don't recommend medicine, assuming you're an INTP. Some problem solving but it will put you in a little box with no escape that will drive you mad. A technical field involving computers is your best bet. You can make 250k+ working as a software engineer in Silicon Valley or for Wall Street.

I've been looking online for weeks but still haven't found anything I could see myself doing. Which is why I wanted to see what other, similar, people are doing for a living and see if it interests me. Sorry, missed the last part. I find anything computer-related very interesting, but didn't know they could make that much. How many years of experience is required and how hard is it to get a position like that? From what I've read they make 100 000$ish on average.

 

[Brontosaurie]

I'm looking for a job with an annual salary of 250 000$+

how would you even go about toking that much

 

[Rome96]

how would you even go about toking that much

I don't do drugs, yet. I would like someone to tell me what they're studying/working as.

 

[Brontosaurie]

I don't do drugs, yet. I would like someone to tell me what they're studying/working as.

i think you should consider not considering a career.

Architect is probably right though. i share his impression that computer science has way more headroom than medicine/psychology.

 

[DrGregoryHouse]

Do a search, it's an endless topic endlessly discussed.

I don't recommend medicine, assuming you're an INTP. Some problem solving but it will put you in a little box with no escape that will drive you mad. A technical field involving computers is your best bet. You can make 250k+ working as a software engineer in Silicon Valley or for Wall Street.

Agree with you about medicine, in general Architect. I can't decide if a box or a cubicle is worse for an INTP: maybe because they are the same thing?

However, there are specialties after medical school which offer an endless buffet of interesting-ness and motivation for INTPs, one example being pathology. If one can get through medical school and orchestrate their move into an appropriate specialty aligned with their personal temperment.

Here is a good resource to start looking at lifestyles of all the various specialties after med school:

https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/

There are a few online questionnaires you can fill out and they'll spit out some ideas for specialties, too (one of them is buried in that link I think) I just don't have the inclination to search on the web for them right now.

Also, dentistry, within the right context (no big corporate practices/ medicaid mills) might not be bad for some particular INTPs. Especially the owning of ones own dental practice part (I think ~90-95% of practicing dentists or something like that own and operate their own clinic).

The OP mentions being in Sweden so I don't know how it all plays out there, though. I am only speaking from experience in the US.

>I might be a Doctor of Medicine (and I might not be) so I might know what I am talking about (or I might not)<

 

[Montresor]

I work construction it's cool. You could try it but it will take you at least five years to earn $250000 (but I think in Canadian $$$ so...)

oh and everybody tries to rip you off and take advantage of you. But that might just be life.

 

[Architect]

One comment is that yes, saying you want $250k is quite aggressive, especially if you are an INTP (which is not true more often than not - that is people thinking they're an INTP). All INTP's I've known knew themselves well enough to know they they'd be lucky to get any job, never mind one making that much money.

I'd first investigate what your type is, if you were an ISTP (a close cousin easy to mistake for an INTP) then medicine would be a good route.

Agree with you about medicine, in general Architect. I can't decide if a box or a cubicle is worse for an INTP: maybe because they are the same thing?

I know a lot of doctors, they live a pretty regimented life. One in fact makes about a million a year, but he's paranoid about anybody seeing him in public (outside of his Dr persona). Afraid that his reputation would suffer if they saw him in less than ideal circumstances. There are many other aspects to it that would make it a miserable life for an INTP, unless possibly they were in research (but it's not the kind of research we generally like).

As for cubicals, software engineers get a lot of latitude. "Crazy aunt in the closet" kind of thing. I spent as much time out of my cubical as in, and besides, what is better than getting to work with computers and not having to deal with people? In fact the worst part of my job is the necessary minimal socialization I do.

 

[Rome96]

I'm pretty sure that I'm an INTP, I've read up on all the personality types and the one that fits me most (almost eerily so) is INTP. I'm almost certain that I'm not a sensor, it's almost impossible for me to focus on the "here and now". I'm always lost in thought and I'm always thinking of how things could be, rather than how they are. I know that I am introverted (social interaction physically tires me) and I don't hold much regard for feelings and try to make decisions based on logic. Also four tests have told me that I'm an INTP.

The reason I want a high income is that I want the freedom to be able to do whatever the hell I want in life. Money = Freedom nowadays. I'm not really that driven and I don't have a burning passion for anything so I figure if I have to have a career it should be a profitable one so that if I change my mind or something unexpected happens I'll be able to transition comfortably. My real "dream" however is becoming a successful author, I could write on my own schedule and I'd let my creative mind roam free. What could be better? But it's an unrealistic dream and I don't like leaving things up to chance, I can always write as a hobby.

If anyone would like to tell me what they do for a living that would be nice. Thanks Montresor but with my luck I'd crack my skull open working construction, I'm not cut out for manual labour really.

 

[Architect]

The reason I want a high income is that I want the freedom to be able to do whatever the hell I want in life. Money = Freedom nowadays. I'm not really that driven and I don't have a burning passion for anything so I figure if I have to have a career it should be ...

I'm sensing a problem here somehow.

 

[Rome96]

If you had continued reading that sentence you wouldn't have.

 

[Montresor]

...try to make decisions based on logic.

I'm not really that driven and I don't have a burning passion for anything so I figure if I have to have a career it should be a profitable one so that if I change my mind or something unexpected happens I'll be able to transition comfortably...

...it's an unrealistic dream and I don't like leaving things up to chance...

So let me get this straight. You want to get a job that pays you $250 000 a year but you don't know what it is yet, and you want this job so you can have freedom in your life, so that you can quit at any moment to start writing books (something that the average entry-level wage = negative $$$), even though you have not learned the semicolon yet?

Yes, logically you should immediately become a software engineer if you want that to be your life.

I wonder why you're having such a hard time finding entry-level jobs that pay a quarter mil.... what could it mean?

I hope (at least) it doesn't mean you won't settle for $50 000 in your first year of any job.

 

[Architect]

If you had continued reading that sentence you wouldn't have.

No, I read the entire post and understand perfectly what you are saying.

I'll spell out that it's pointless to give specific career ideas when you have more fundamental issues. I'll make it more clear; you'll never get to that $250k (or even $50k as our good friend 'Monty' says) without having a high degree of perseverance and raw enjoyment of what you do, all of which requires self knowledge and some determination.

Aside ...

My belief and observation is that INTP's actually do have quite a bit of drive, that's what Ti gives us. Where it goes awry is when it meets the SJ world. I believe that things could be done differently such that most INTP's would be far more successful then often happens.

 

[Rome96]

So let me get this straight. You want to get a job that pays you $250 000 a year but you don't know what it is yet, and you want this job so you can have freedom in your life, so that you can quit at any moment to start writing books (something that the average entry-level wage = negative $$$), even though you have not learned the semicolon yet?

Yes, logically you should immediately become a software engineer if you want that to be your life.

I wonder why you're having such a hard time finding entry-level jobs that pay a quarter mil.... what could it mean?

I hope (at least) it doesn't mean you won't settle for $50 000 in your first year of any job.

Didn't say that I wanted to quit at any moment to become a writer; I'm pretty sure that I'm not good enough to actually make it as one. I meant something unexpected like deciding to move to South Africa or something. Obviously entry-level jobs won't pay that much, I guess what I meant was careers that lead up to that salary over 5-10ish years. I created this thread to see what other people are doing so that I can assess whether it would be suitable for me or not, because I have absolutely no idea. Didn't mean to imply that construction is inferior in any way, it's just not for me.

Err.. I think I used the semi-colon correctly. We haven't learned it in school yet and I've never had to use it so far.

 

[Brontosaurie]

so that you can quit at any moment to start writing books (something that the average entry-level wage = negative $$$), even though you have not learned the semicolon yet?

dude's 17, cut him some slack...

where would you put the semicolons anyway? i think his post reads just fine.

 

[Puffy]

If you had continued reading that sentence you wouldn't have.

Hmm, you know yourself better obviously, but I do agree with him. Getting into a high stakes career like $250k+... it's not something you leap into, and it's more inclined to be a time consuming position. A) It takes dedication to whatever is involved to get that far and B) For the time involved in the job it takes dedication to what is involved to really get that much out of it.

My Father went the career route, he earns roughly that amount (after 25 years with the company) and works 50-60 hour weeks. He comes home, he's up for a few hours, and then sleeps for the next day. It's life consuming. Fortunately, he enjoys it. If you're going for money = freedom, it's a tight balance with how much free time you'll have, for most I imagine it's a long-term, retire early scheme.

Basically, I think working out what you're passionate about is more important. It's better to enjoy what you do. At the same time, if you're in High School, I presume you're interests are likely to change a fair bit in the next 5-10 years. Pursue the things you like, with a view to what kind of jobs it might apply to, I think...

 

[Montresor]

Didn't mean to imply that construction is inferior in any way, it's just not for me.

pfft relax, it is inferior. It's for stupid sensor potheads who would wind up in jail if only their own boss wasn't even more of a worthless piece of shit than they are.

Here monkey, take this hammer and just follow the system; try not to make any changes. Try to come back next week even though you're probably going on a crack binge this weekend...

If you really just want people to post their jobs, then make the thread title: "post your job, INTPf". Then you can do a statistical analysis when you compare and contrast to your other thread: "post your salary, INTPf". Otherwise, it seems like you're trying to accomplish more than that; it's misleading, making us think you want some criticism/discussion of your own personal aspirations, when you don't.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Oh no, every post must be grammatically correct in a traditional sense else it follows logically that the poster can't write anything grammatically correct or isn't an INTP ^^

And geez it was pretty friggin obvious that Rome96 wasn't looking for an entry level pay of 250k annually. Not everything needs to be stated explicitly.

Edit: I've worked a little construction, it was awful. My coworkers were for the most part stupid and uneducated sexist racists who thought they knew it all about pretty much everything. I just kept pretty quiet, it was all terribly terribly macho. The work can also be pretty draining in itself at times, and you're left tired in your freetime. I would rather kill myself than work construction tbh. Then again INTPs are most likely better at it than INFJs. Still there's nothing about it that's stimulating.

 

[Brontosaurie]

Here monkey, take this hammer and just follow the system; try not to make any changes.

sounds like... work.

 

[Rome96]

pfft relax, it is inferior. It's for stupid sensor potheads who would wind up in jail if only their own boss wasn't even more of a worthless piece of shit than they are.

Here monkey, take this hammer and just follow the system; try not to make any changes. Try to come back next week even though you're probably going on a crack binge this weekend...

If you really just want people to post their jobs, then make the thread title: "post your job, INTPf". Then you can do a statistical analysis when you compare and contrast to your other thread: "post your salary, INTPf". Otherwise, it seems like you're trying to accomplish more than that; it's misleading, making us think you want some criticism/discussion of your own personal aspirations, when you don't.

Why are you taking this so personally? I can't do manual labour, I would be whining all day long and lose focus of what I was doing and stare into a brick for half an hour. If it's what you like to do that's fine, and I don't see why you assume that I think that you have to be stupid to do manual labour, because I don't. I apologize for misleading you then. Maybe the long preamble was unnecessary but I thought it might share some insight on what I might enjoy. Didn't think that INTP's would be this easy to offend...

Here's an elephant of good faith:

 

[Montresor]

dude's 17, cut him some slack...

where would you put the semicolons anyway? i think his post reads just fine.

in between independent clauses lol. where else?

Why should I cut people slack based on their age? It's just mental exercise; it's not hurting anybody.

Where do you define the age cutoff between slack and no-slack?

Are there varying degrees of slack? When do you reel the slack in vs. cut it?

Do you cut me slack?

 

[Cherry Cola]

Of course you could work construction for a while, it won't kill you. I'm a space cadet and I could do it, it just fucking sucks is all.

Are you drunk Montresor? Are you aware of the fact that semicolons aren't used nearly as often in Swedish as they are in English, and that; furthermore, English teachers in Sweden don't teach kids how to use them even in upper secondary school?

His age is quite relevant.

 

[Rome96]

Oh no, every post must be grammatically correct in a traditional sense else it follows logically that the poster can't write anything grammatically correct or isn't an INTP ^^

And geez it was pretty friggin obvious that Rome96 wasn't looking for an entry level pay of 250k annually. Not everything needs to be stated explicitly.

Edit: I've worked a little construction, it was awful. My coworkers were for the most part stupid and uneducated sexist racists who thought they knew it all about pretty much everything. I just kept pretty quiet, it was all terribly terribly macho. The work can also be pretty draining in itself at times, and you're left tired in your freetime. I would rather kill myself than work construction tbh. Then again INTPs are most likely better at it than INFJs. Still there's nothing about it that's stimulating.

Didn't know there were macho people in Sweden, but that does sound pretty awful to me as well. What are you studying currently (assuming that you are studying)?

 

[Montresor]

Why are you taking this so personally? I can't do manual labour, I would be whining all day long and lose focus of what I was doing and stare into a brick for half an hour. If it's what you like to do that's fine, and I don't see why you assume that I think that you have to be stupid to do manual labour, because I don't.

I'm sorry but ^that's pretty silly of you.

1. Why do you think I am "taking this personally?" Because I used a swear word?
2. Where did I admit that I assume you think one has to be stupid to do manual labour? Nowhere, that's where.


I'm just giving you my opinion on the subject. Nothing you say to me is taken "personally".

My opinion is that you don't have to be stupid to do manual labour, BUT, if you're stupid, then you should be doing manual labour.

Do you think I'm taking this personally because you don't want the same job as me?

I am confuse. Please undo.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Didn't know there were macho people in Sweden, but that does sound pretty awful to me as well. What are you studying currently (assuming that you are studying)?

Oh I'm not studying atm, I serve food at a school ^^

I'm studying some math, but only the specific stuff required to get a good HP score. When I've got that shit down I intend to begin studying again, this time to become a psychologist.

 

[Rome96]

pfft relax, it is inferior. It's for stupid sensor potheads who would wind up in jail if only their own boss wasn't even more of a worthless piece of shit than they are.

Here monkey, take this hammer and just follow the system; try not to make any changes. Try to come back next week even though you're probably going on a crack binge this weekend...

This seems aggressive considering that you work in construction. Also, since you felt the need to comment on my grammar, read your first post and tell me that it is grammatically correct. Please.

I withdraw my elephant of good faith.

Here is a bird of bad faith:

 

[Rome96]

Oh I'm not studying atm, I serve food at a school ^^

I'm studying some math, but only the specific stuff required to get a good HP score. When I've got that shit down I intend to begin studying again, this time to become a psychologist.

Psychology has always fascinated me, but don't you think the actual job would get boring after a while, day in and day out of people who lost their cats and need help getting over it :/. Then again, my impression of the psychology career is based on what I've seen on TV, might need to read up more. Were you thinking of studying in Sweden or outside?

 

[Montresor]

This seems aggressive considering that you work in construction. Also, since you felt the need to comment on my grammar, read your first post and tell me that it is grammatically correct. Please.

I withdraw my elephant of good faith.

OK ...

1. It was my opinion about the quality of folks I work with. Perhaps I am not as detached on that subject, but how could you misconstrue the aggression as being directed towards you? Are you a stupid pothead sensor who is basically destined to go to jail?

2. Nowhere do I explicitly state my intention of being an author, so I don't necessarily expect that my grammar will get me anywhere in this world, nor will the lack thereof hold me back; I am a construction worker, we (as a whole) are not concerned with your grammar.

 

[Rome96]

OK ...

1. It was my opinion about the quality of folks I work with. Perhaps I am not as detached on that subject, but how could you misconstrue the aggression as being directed towards you? Are you a stupid pothead sensor who is basically destined to go to jail?

2. Nowhere do I explicitly state my intention of being an author, so I don't necessarily expect that my grammar will get me anywhere in this world, nor will the lack thereof hold me back; I am a construction worker, we (as a whole) are not concerned with your grammar.

Alright then, maybe I construed aggression where there was none, let's not discuss it further.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Psychology has always fascinated me, but don't you think the actual job would get boring after a while, day in and day out of people who lost their cats and need help getting over it :/. Then again, my impression of the psychology career is based on what I've seen on TV, might need to read up more. Were you thinking of studying in Sweden or outside?

I've been a patient so I know it from that perspective. It's also a personal interest of mine, and nah, I don't think I'll grow tired of it that easily. I like figuring people out and I find it easy to care about them.

Pretty sure the profession suits your average INFJ a lot better than your average INTP though.

Montresor: You're quite edgy and aggressive; vehemently in denial about it as well. It's too obvious to be worth discussing.

 

[Architect]

Cutting through the fog ...

One of the problems with these discussions is that it's all in generalities. "Cubical" jobs, "repetitive" job, "high paying" job. I keep emphasizing that these discussions actually don't count for a lot, because it's not the general career so much as the specific job.

For example, you can work a software engineering job and make $100k-$130k after a few years, that much we know. How repetitive is it? How bad is the cubical? How much enjoyment would you get? It entirely depends on the specific job you have. I have a friend who reputably is making $250k (including bonuses) doing a software/hardware job. I also know he works his ass off and devotes all his creativity to the company. I make less than that, but I have a completely flexible schedule, work load, no commute and live in an ideal place (not the rat maze of the Bay Area). Cheaper too ... who is doing better? Also, consider that, for example, the difference between $150k and $250k is not really $100k, because that final $100k gets taxed at your marginal rate. Meaning that you pay the most taxes on the last dollar. So from that $100k maybe $60k or less comes home, oh and include the cost of the extra time you spend for that, and commute and what not. Not bad, sure, but at what cost? It entirely depends.

 

[Rome96]

Cutting through the fog ...

One of the problems with these discussions is that it's all in generalities. "Cubical" jobs, "repetitive" job, "high paying" job. I keep emphasizing that these discussions actually don't count for a lot, because it's not the general career so much as the specific job.

For example, you can work a software engineering job and make $100k-$130k after a few years, that much we know. How repetitive is it? How bad is the cubical? How much enjoyment would you get? It entirely depends on the specific job you have. I have a friend who reputably is making $250k (including bonuses) doing a software/hardware job. I also know he works his ass off and devotes all his creativity to the company. I make less than that, but I have a completely flexible schedule, work load, no commute and live in an ideal place (not the rat maze of the Bay Area). Cheaper too ... who is doing better? Also, consider that, for example, the difference between $150k and $250k is not really $100k, because that final $100k gets taxed at your marginal rate. Meaning that you pay the most taxes on the last dollar. So from that $100k maybe $60k or less comes home, oh and include the cost of the extra time you spend for that, and commute and what not. Not bad, sure, but at what cost? It entirely depends.

I get what you're saying.. Thanks for bringing up software engineering as well. Even though I'm interested in computers I thought they made way too little to be worth it (I know I shouldn't focus on the material but I'm afraid of risks and I need to consider the $, I don't have anything to fall back on).

 

[Cherry Cola]

Remember were talking Swedish taxes her as well, so that strengthens your point, unless you're going international Rome :P

 

[Architect]

I get what you're saying.. Thanks for bringing up software engineering as well. Even though I'm interested in computers I thought they made way too little to be worth it (I know I shouldn't focus on the material but I'm afraid of risks and I need to consider the $, I don't have anything to fall back on).

Again I think you're missing the point ... it is probably most likely that you'll fail at anything you aren't interested in, money or not. If you are interested then you can make enormous amounts of money, in a lot of different fields. See? Don't focus on the money, focus on the interest. The only proven secret for success is to care about what you do. If you don't then you'll more than likely fail against the ones who care more than you do.

 

[Montresor]

Remember were talking Swedish taxes her as well, so that strengthens your point, unless you're going international Rome :P

warning: more fog


you really do just feel better when everybody gets along and the dissenter is kicked out don't you?

I'm not even sure you ever want anything to stem from a discussion besides a general feeling of well being among all participants, except if there are any bad apples, we don't like them no we don't no we don't precious we don't.

If you can't express your opinion in a positive, proactive way, then it's not worth expressing, is that it?

I don't post here to make people feel good you INFJ douche I post here because I like to think critically about things.

 

[Rome96]

(Probably) won't be working in Sweden. I'll come back once I've seen the world to settle down though, it's too great a country not to.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Montresor you need to go to bed.

 

[Brontosaurie]

I'm not even sure you ever want anything to stem from a discussion besides a general feeling of well being among all participants, except if there are any bad apples, we don't like them no we don't no we don't precious we don't.

have you read his posts in any other thread?

 

[Montresor]

have you read his posts in any other thread?

yawn
​

hmm?> waht?

oh my i'm so drunk
​

nope never read any of his posts in any other thread. definitely just came up with that right here on the spot

 

[Rome96]

Again I think you're missing the point ... it is probably most likely that you'll fail at anything you aren't interested in, money or not. If you are interested then you can make enormous amounts of money, in a lot of different fields. See? Don't focus on the money, focus on the interest. The only proven secret for success is to care about what you do. If you don't then you'll more than likely fail against the ones who care more than you do.

What do you do if you don't really care about anything? I guess I have to figure it out somehow. People keep telling me that, the thing that's bothering me though is that if I become an average doctor I'll still make more than an a bit above average software engineer, so there's a risk involved. I'd have to be really good, which is no guarantee, even if I love the job. I'd obviously perform better if I liked it, but what if I'm just not good enough?

 

[Nick]

If you want freedom plus money, you're gonna have to invest yourself heavily in an area and learn for quite a bit of years.

Then once you have your job/career down, you can work your 40 hours a week and use the rest for freedom.

 

[Brontosaurie]

nope never read any of his posts in any other thread. definitely just came up with that right here on the spot​

seems like it

cause he's been righteously venomous and vitriolic more than once...​

 

[Montresor]

seems like it

cause he's been righteously venomous and vitriolic more than once...

I suppose I'm walking the line between the famous egocentric predicament and supreme objectivity.

 

[Brontosaurie]

I suppose I'm walking the line between the famous egocentric predicament and supreme objectivity.

hahahaha

 

[Architect]

What do you do if you don't really care about anything?

wait for it ...

I guess I have to figure it out somehow.

Bingo

People keep telling me that, the thing that's bothering me though is that if I become an average doctor I'll still make more than an a bit above average software engineer, so there's a risk involved. I'd have to be really good, which is no guarantee, even if I love the job. I'd obviously perform better if I liked it, but what if I'm just not good enough?

Again if you don't know what you'd like to do I think you have bigger problems to figure out.

 

[Valentas]

I have no idea what I want to do once high school is over (except moving out). I have one year left of high school (which sounds like a lot, but I like to have a lot of time to process things) and still haven't decided on what I want to study.

If you stll can't find it after this year, consider taking gap year.

There are plenty of subjects I'm interested in, psychology, literature, philosophy, medicine, to name a few. However there are no jobs that I find interesting.

I think you never tried them out so you have no idea what is interesting or not. Again take gap year and organize shadowing in each field of interest.

Being a medical doctor seems way too hectic and you're basically saying good-bye to your spare time, I like things more flexible.

No, it's not true. Choose to work for private clinic and you have your own hours(usually), very good pay and no calls in the night.

I think being a psychologist would get old very fast and psychotherapy seems a bit pseudo-sciency.

They are. No one can help your spirit but yourself. It is basically two-way street: one leads to depression and another leads to solving your problems. Which you choose is a matter of your mindset. Psycho-guys won't help you a lot.

Most other subjects don't lead to any good jobs as far as I know. I'm looking for a job with an annual salary of 250 000$+, that's interesting and exciting, but isn't too hectic and with minimal social interaction.

Social skills are the most prized trait of good employer/employee. Without them, you stand no chance against people who have this trait developed. All businesses are about communication, sharing ideas and unambigously offering solutions for problems. Even Software Engineering is very dependent on this. My neighbor completed his studies in Newcastle and now works in Glasgow. Official title is php developer while most of his time is spent talking with clients about what they want. You can be excellent engineer but without good communication skills you are not destined to advance in company or industry. Look at all these software guys: Guido van Rossum, google ceos, all of them have very good communication skills. They are nerdy but they understand the importance of clear sharing of ideas.

I've been doing a lot of reading online and can't find anything that fits my criteria.. Are there even any jobs like that out there?

Yes or no. You may be a person to invent another profession. Also, you will NOT understand what it means to work somewhere from some text online. Stop procrastinating, take action to try it out in this field. You consider software? Download a book on Python from the Internet http://inventwithpython.com/ and see if you like it. You want to become a doctor? Organize work experience in hospital. They say that even working as a cleaner there will help you to understand if you want this career. Psychology? Ask your parents if they know some person who can take you in for session on what she/he do for a living. It's all easy, you need to be pro-active and see for yourself.

What do you work as and how much do you enjoy it? If you don't enjoy it at all, what is your dream career? What do you think would be suitable for an INTP? Also, if you're an INTP doctor, would you recommend it?

I am on FB group of INTPs. There was a post about 6 weeks ago which sounded like this: I completed 6 years of med school but don't want to be a doctor. What do I do?

When I investigated further, the people there(6 of them who answered) said that most of them were pished there by parents or others opinions(hey, you're smart, be a doctor). Now they are done with studies and looks for something else.

I don't work on a job yet but I'm starting Computer Science course in Edinburgh and I personally think that I'm yet to find my niche. I'm going there for two reasons: no tuition except living costs and one of the best schools in the world for IT. Okay, another reason is to meet people smarter than me and start our own thing.

In the end, it is all about finding what you love doing. When you find it, it changes everything. The sun looks brighter, the jerks are less jerky and obstacles in life seems like temporary defeats to make you stronger. Paul McCartney, the famous Beatles guy, was terible at school. He was even declined to join choir to sing. Fortunately, he knew that academics are not for him, so he continued practicing the guitar. Then, he met another similar guy, John Lennon, and they decided to form a band. And it was good decision. It was good because they followed their talents and interests. Now, as you know, they are millionaires because of that.

So the ultimate question for me, for you and for most population who were supressed during school still stands: what is your talent(natural ability to do things others find hard), passion(I love doing this thing I am naturally good at) and I want it(how can I bring this to general public). The current problem of education is that it measures people against standardized tests. We were ALL supressed in school, wasting enormours hours of teachers, parents, our times, preparing for tests instead of exploring who we are. In my school, there were two people out of 1000 who were definitely gifted(one could fix any motorcycle) and another(was incredible painter, really amazing, if you would only see his works...).

Nowadays, you can make very very good living online, doing what you love. But it is a must to love what you do. Competition is fierce, you will fail many times but if you love it, you won't quit. And if you won't quit, you will eventually succeed. Do you now see why Architect tells you that your problems are more fundamental? It basically is like that: do you want your life to be a grit(with easy money, say a doctor), or do you want to work in what you love(with many failures and obstacles but you will succeed eventually)? It is your choice. I know a person who did 12 years of med school and now he is life couch, making better living and helping more people than you can imagine. He is in his element.

 

[Duxwing]

In the end, it is all about finding what you love doing. When you find it, it changes everything. The sun looks brighter, the jerks are less jerky and obstacles in life seems like temporary defeats to make you stronger. Paul McCartney, the famous Beatles guy, was terible at school. He was even declined to join choir to sing. Fortunately, he knew that academics are not for him, so he continued practicing the guitar. Then, he met another similar guy, John Lennon, and they decided to form a band. And it was good decision. It was good because they followed their talents and interests. Now, as you know, they are millionaires because of that.

So the ultimate question for me, for you and for most population who were supressed during school still stands: what is your talent(natural ability to do things others find hard), passion(I love doing this thing I am naturally good at) and I want it(how can I bring this to general public). The current problem of education is that it measures people against standardized tests. We were ALL supressed in school, wasting enormours hours of teachers, parents, our times, preparing for tests instead of exploring who we are. In my school, there were two people out of 1000 who were definitely gifted(one could fix any motorcycle) and another(was incredible painter, really amazing, if you would only see his works...).

Nowadays, you can make very very good living online, doing what you love. But it is a must to love what you do. Competition is fierce, you will fail many times but if you love it, you won't quit. And if you won't quit, you will eventually succeed. Do you now see why Architect tells you that your problems are more fundamental? It basically is like that: do you want your life to be a grit(with easy money, say a doctor), or do you want to work in what you love(with many failures and obstacles but you will succeed eventually)? It is your choice. I know a person who did 12 years of med school and now he is life couch, making better living and helping more people than you can imagine. He is in his element.

Very well put. I'd like to add that one can become emotionally attached to but not passionate about a given career and therefore be afraid of doing something that might disturb the attachment. Instead think of the benefit: if your initial attraction is right, then you'll be certain, and if it is wrong, then you will have saved yourself much trouble. Be as fearless in your career choices as you are in your reasoning.

-Duxwing

 

[Absurdity]

Go out and try different things. After a certain point, armchair analyses of various careers only serve to confirm preconceived notions. Architect is right in that the particular qualities of a specific job or workplace contribute a lot toward one's satisfaction with their work.

You wanted examples so I'll give mine. I haven't graduated yet but I interned with a national news media company and loved the work. Part of it was the variability of each day, but believe it or not the people and the environment also contributed a lot to how much I enjoyed it. Even though I'm not an INTP (INTJ to be precise), I don't think introverts should rule out more "social" type jobs. It all depends on the sorts of people you work with. Journalism seems to attract oddball types that make the work fun.

 

[redbaron]

I guess what I meant was careers that lead up to that salary over 5-10ish years.

Just about anything provided you have the drive and intelligence to reach it.

If your goal is to earn $250k/yr without putting in hard work and being passionate about what you do...