What's your ideal occupation?

[Valentas]

My ideal job is the one which provides autonomy, independence, interaction with clever people;

I know for sure that I want to have my own business of some kind because I loathe to be a dog of other person...To be honest, I would truly like to have balance between desk job and running around others So, I believe part-time manager in technology company...my company? ..

 

[SpeedAgent]

I would love to get paid for ideas. I have them all the time. But how the heck do you get paid for them....that's my main question in life right now. My favorite suggestion when reading about "careers for INTP" is "entrepreneur". I'm being sarcastic. I would love to start another business doing something I really enjoy and making really good money, but just saying that being an entrepreneur is not good enough for me. If I had great ideas of my own for what type of business I should start I would be doing it.

 

[Eskayp101]

I'd love to be a Professor of Sociology, who also does some consultancy work in Industry and runs a small business.

 

[Orson]

Space exploration. Contributing to the continuation of humankind. Finding life elsewhere in the universe (it's out there). Preventing a catastrophe. Helping to recover from a catastrophe. Protecting our planet, and assisting in our eventual departure from it.

Nothing captivates my imagination quite like space. If I can work in any job, any field, or anything that will simply allow me to ponder the great mysteries of our universe... I will be happy.

I was going to say minimal interaction with others, but I believe what I really mean is minimal interaction with people who don't share the same beliefs, ideals and goals as myself.

 

[Duxwing]

@pjoa09

The ideal INTP job is often in the interstice or fringe of other jobs. All jobs require people interaction, it's just a matter of degree. Examples

• The park services have some number of people who need to figure out what needs to be done with the infrastructure - problem solving. Where to maintain the trails, put in foot bridges, deal with vegetation, etc.
• Paul Wolfowitz is probably an INTP in my estimation. He solved national security problems when part of the Bush White House, and probably spent much of his time thinking, with reporting to the president and staff on occasion.
• Building manager. Most of the time these people probably solve problems in keeping a large office or apartment building running. Other than dealing with tenants occasionally it should be straightforward.

There are many others. My point is that most types can find an easy slot to fit into, INTP's don't naturally fall into a lot of slots (engineering and consultant are the only two I can think of). So that means we need to get a little creative, and find unusual positions in regular jobs.

My advice to any young INTP is to pick up engineering. Even if you don't have prior experience - pick it up. Even if you aren't too interested in it (now) - pick it up. It will offer you the potential for more satisfaction and money than any other profession you can care to name. And if you really want to do something else (beach bum etc) this can fund that.

If you don't have a head for engineering, then seriously examine whether you are an INTP or not.

I've found that the best kind of engineering is working independently on a problem that will result in a discovery: for example, inventing Kevlar or anti-lock brakes. Otherwise, the whole competitive and practical side of the engineering world rubs me the wrong way. In MBTI terms, the engineering that I've done with first makes me feel like I'm an INTP in an INTJ's world. I find science much more interesting; the reward isn't in the pay, but in one's contribution to mankind's knowledge.

Yet something tells me that I'm about to feel the claws of the sourpuss. But I can perfectly well understand why. Perhaps the physics world is equally if not more vicious, perhaps I should also be conscious of whether I want to find a Mrs. Duxwing and make a nest: trees are expensive and engineering could help me buy one. Perhaps I'm not an INTP in his eyes.

-Duxwing

 

[Nick]

Duxwing makes me want to become an astrophysicist. Sit with the trees and ponder the branches of the universe. Although in real life, that's already a past time, even if I don't know the deep down complexities that require a Ph.D, I still get to do my pondering and amass a feeling a greatness and insignificant both at the same time, the INTP in me loves feeling awe inspired.

Always since I was young, I've had two words for the work place I wanted to work in... "Think Tank". Yup, I would have heavenly dreams daily about sitting in a big room full of other people brainstorming about any task/idea that was presented to us from the higher up management. Our jobs would be to come up with new and innovated ways to get things done or accomplish tasks. Getting paid to sit in a comfy chair... and just discuss, maybe draw... sketch, design, or even have a team that does it for me....

ah life is grand in my own head.

 

[Adrift]

Well, it seems my prior choice to become an electrical engineer should suit me well. I might dual degree with computer engineering as well.

I would say that's my practical place. I think my ideal would be "Wizard" in another universe. :P

 

[MsAnthropy_Indefatigably]

I like this question.

• Where I am the expert on any given topic.
• Where I can openly criticize without (negative) consequences.
• Where I need to deal with people to a minimum, preferably in writing only.

I think this might be a dream!

This and add computers and i would be set.

 

[Architect]

Well, it seems my prior choice to become an electrical engineer should suit me well. I might dual degree with computer engineering as well.

A friend is an INTP EE. He likes it and has far ranging interests. I prefer software.

Originally Posted by m.love
I like this question.
Where I am the expert on any given topic.
Where I can openly criticize without (negative) consequences.
Where I need to deal with people to a minimum, preferably in writing only.
I think this might be a dream!

This and add computers and i would be set.

Sounds like my job ('Expert level' software engineer). If you work for a engineering company they get the respect, and you can (politely) speak your mind without consequence. Other than being known as a hard core engineer and thereby unsuitable for Management, but presumably that's what you'd want anyhow.

Dealing with people depends on the situation and position. I know that at Google, for example, it's a heavy team environment workplace. I used to have a job like that (and grew to hate it). In my present job I interact with others very little.

 

[BigApplePi]

Re: Design Your Perfect INTP Careers!

All 4?

 

[BigApplePi]

Ideal: Comptroller General for Ohio, Assistant Prime Minister of Syria, Secretary of State for Afghanistan, Secretary and Chief Cohort to Lady Gaga, INTP Forum de-moderator.

Practical: retired ... already achieved.

 

[TheScornedReflex]

I want to make Doomsday weapons of galactic proportions. No seriously. You'd thank me when we get attacked by a galaxy spanning alien empire. If only there was someone who delights in blowing shit up on a galactic scale. Oh wait, there is! Just one push of a button and KA BLUY. No more threat. Mwah hah hah hah hah.

I might have to start small though. So maybe a deathstar or something.

Failing that, Combat Intelligence gatherer/interpreter for the Royal Marines. Or win lotto.

 

[BigApplePi]

My ideal occupation

Practical & ideal: Tax legislator*. Devote my life to drafting an amendment to the U.S. Constitution whereby the rich do not get more rich than they've earned and the poor do not get less than is morally justified. This amendment should take into account gradual rather than sudden change and be built into all tax codes by computerization so that there is no trauma to the economy and no upset to any particular group.

This amendment will receive opposition from those who are greedy and those who wish to receive more than what is fair. A team of INTP's will be required to battle the ISFJ's** in the current political system.
_______________________

*I resign as Secretary of State for Afghanistan. I've better things to do.
**Including their cohorts, cronies, collaborators, henchmen, accomplices and such ilk together with their fellow travelers.

 

[Nezaros]

Airline pilot. Because I like to travel.

I considered programmer but it's much too tedious for me. And I don't have the drive to really go about and design software. I like the general concept though.

But if not pilot... Astrophysicist, or something along those lines. Or astronaut. Because fucking space, man.

I want to make Doomsday weapons of galactic proportions. No seriously. You'd thank me when we get attacked by a galaxy spanning alien empire. If only there was someone who delights in blowing shit up on a galactic scale. Oh wait, there is! Just one push of a button and KA BLUY. No more threat. Mwah hah hah hah hah.

Build this.

This amendment will receive opposition from those who are greedy and those who wish to receive more than what is fair. A team of INTP's will be required to battle the ISFJ's** in the current political system.

How do you propose these INTP's get elected to public office?

 

[Duxwing]

Ideal: Comptroller General for Ohio, Assistant Prime Minister of Syria, Secretary of State for Afghanistan, Secretary and Chief Cohort to Lady Gaga, INTP Forum de-moderator.

Practical: retired ... already achieved.

Retired!? I thought that you were in your early twenties!

-Duxwing

 

[BigApplePi]

Retired!? I thought that you were in your early twenties!
-Duxwing

Assumption or evidence?

 

[BigApplePi]

How do you propose these INTP's get elected to public office?

They probably can't easily though I saw somewhere John McCain was an INTP. They will either have to be befriended by a politician or become part of the bureaucracy and become an adviser ... or part of a think tank, get the public and academia's attention and thus put pressure on the political system.

 

[Duxwing]

Assumption or evidence?

Well, you sound like a math whiz in his sophmore year of college.

-Duxwing

 

[SpaceYeti]

What's your ideal occupation?

Your mom.

 

[Duxwing]

Duxwing makes me want to become an astrophysicist. Sit with the trees and ponder the branches of the universe. Although in real life, that's already a past time, even if I don't know the deep down complexities that require a Ph.D, I still get to do my pondering and amass a feeling a greatness and insignificant both at the same time, the INTP in me loves feeling awe inspired.

Always since I was young, I've had two words for the work place I wanted to work in... "Think Tank". Yup, I would have heavenly dreams daily about sitting in a big room full of other people brainstorming about any task/idea that was presented to us from the higher up management. Our jobs would be to come up with new and innovated ways to get things done or accomplish tasks. Getting paid to sit in a comfy chair... and just discuss, maybe draw... sketch, design, or even have a team that does it for me....

ah life is grand in my own head.

I'm glad that I've inspired you so much.

-Duxwing

 

[7even]

This is easy...

...Not having an occupation.

Though it would be nice to have a rebellious and grand organisation actively going against the world of oppressive government; so I'd say, my ideal occupation would be to be a governmental huge fucking pain in the ass? - So sort of a powerful New Age politician provoking mass social change... My first step would be to use up all that hefty military equipment and make it seriously backfire.

Once I'm done; weaponry, oppression, inequality, injustice, cruelty, exploitation, and destruction will be abolished! A new and improved system will be brought about!

VOTE FOR ME!

 

[Analyzer]

Your mom.

ISTP

 

[Nick]

ISTP

For him, maybe. I was talking a friend the other day, asked him to do the mbti, he was ISTP. What I said about us,

Differences are minimal, I'd say you cut to the chase right away about things things and me... I'll sit there for hours and think.

 

[Emelina]

Psychiatrist, expert in my field which is what I will become!

 

[Wolf18]

Government Interests: Spy (Intelligence collection/Field work) and/or Cryptologist, Demolitions/Bomb deactivation
Academic Interests: Psychologist, Researcher (for I don't know what), Analyst, Professor
Scientific Interests: Physicist, Psychiatrist, Astrophysicist, Neuroscientist
Other interests: Private detective, Mechanic, Musician

 

[BigApplePi]

1. Hammock tester.

2. Secretary General's secretary for the United Nations with this Forum's members as advisers.

3. Sweeper at Federal Reserve $100 bill printing room.

4. Judge @ wet T-shirt contest.

Not necessarily in that order.

 

[C.Hecker88]

Lawyerin' n'till I retire to Sweden.

 

[lonew0lf420]

Teh prophet, figuratively speaking.

Ideally though, I'd really like to involving myself in upper-government research in social science and having influence over social policy in the state; of course, I would do it only in the positive interests of humanity.

I also have thought about creating a business that specializes in a "high priority" delivery service; I'd drive my personal vehicle very swiftly from point A to B. Driving a vehicle and smoking weed on the highway sounds like an amazing job.

Another thing I have envisioned is the architecture of environmentally friendly shipping container buildings that could probably be highly profitable when considering the low construction expenses and the high income potential.

 

[Wolf18]

Ideal job: Cryptologist and/or spy.
Practically: I have not finished school yet. I am trying to start a small private detective business with (possibly) a friend. Our plan is to start without charging anything, because we're kids who no one has heard of, then build a reputation and start charging more.

SW

 

[Absurdity]

Psychologist or attorney with my own practice, writer, university professor, (legal) marijuana farmer, globetrotting vagabond, revolutionary polemicist, theologian/philosopher.

Of my ideal professions I've narrowed it down to a neck and neck race between writer and globetrotting vagabond. Why not be both?

Practical: Writing a piece of fiction while I'm in school now. Going to try and use a family connection to work in the film industry this summer.

 

[yogurtexpress]

I've mostly always wanted to be either a writer, director, or comedian.

 

[thekatspajamas]

Ideal with my current life? What I'm doing. Stay-at-home mom. I can completely commit myself to educating my daughter and exposing her to countless different experiences. Also, I can maintain the household and finances, so that my husband can completely focus on his own career. It's fun, it's flexible, and it promotes harmony in the house. Awesome on all counts.

Ideal without kids? A NASA science outreach teacher at one of the NASA centers. I did something similar to that at our planetarium in college and I loved every second of it. I'd be interested in doing this later in life as well. I have experience and an education, so who knows-- if NASA's education and outreach stuff gets started back up down the road, maybe they'll still take me.