• You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community, you will have access to additional post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), view blogs, respond to polls, upload content, and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free, so please join our community today! Just click here to register. You should turn your Ad Blocker off for this site or certain features may not work properly. If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us by clicking here.

INTJ Careers

highlander

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 23, 2009
Messages
26,562
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
6w5
Instinctual Variant
sx/sp
INTJs

What is your career?

How much do you like your career?

What do you not like about your career?

What are your strengths and weaknesses in that job?

Have you had other jobs that you liked or didn't like? If so, what is it that you liked or didn't like about them?
 

Kullervo

Permabanned
Joined
May 15, 2014
Messages
3,298
MBTI Type
N/A
I am aware that I'm not a typical INTJ in many ways, but this is a good thread to help get rolling, so:

INTJs

What is your career?

Student - studying Music, English and possibly German next year.

How much do you like your career?

I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I don't enjoy being at university for a hundred reasons - for example I'm restless for an actual job and the opportunity to hear my work performed. On the other hand, I realise that I need more experience and training. However, I am not learning much at all due to the way the courses are being taught, which is a problem. It is more geared up for NFPs.

What do you not like about your career?

As I am not actively in the workforce, I can't really comment here.

What are your strengths and weaknesses in that job?

Poor discipline, I suffer from chronic depression, have perfectionist issues and tend to procrastinate. This makes it very hard for me to complete any work that I start. My strengths are mainly that I can create new ideas with ease and have zero competition in the style of music I compose. As well as that, I am composing music that lots of people enjoy listening to, so if I can sort out my issues I am likely to be a lot more successful than my peers.

Have you had other jobs that you liked or didn't like? If so, what is it that you liked or didn't like about them?

Yes. I didn't enjoy studying health science in my first year. I found the rote learning very difficult and the courses way too intense and unfulfilling.
 

ceecee

Coolatta® Enjoyer
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Messages
15,908
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
8w9
What is your career? I have a bachelors degree in Health Information Management. I'm a Registered Health Information Technician as well as a Certified Coding Specialist. I do medical coding and analysis remotely for a large health care system, specifically for outpatient surgical centers.

How much do you like your career? I like it very much. I love the freedom of working from home and this is why I don't feel a great tug to go on to more administrative positions, though I'm qualified to do so.

What do you not like about your career? The schooling never really ends.

What are your strengths and weaknesses in that job? I'm a very good coder, this is why I'm at the highest level for my job. I'm also able to handle other HIM tasks and I'm very reliable. Weaknesses are probably my preference for not having much contact with colleagues has likely decreased my networking skills and the benefits of better networking. *I* don't see it as an issue but it is, as far as a career advancement or job change is concerned.

Have you had other jobs that you liked or didn't like? If so, what is it that you liked or didn't like about them? I worked for a large internet and cable provider for 6 years. I did internet technical support. Eventually I did more sr. tasks and less customer support but by the time I left, I was <this> close to needing meds and the majority of my co-workers were already on them.
 

Usehername

On a mission
Joined
May 30, 2007
Messages
3,794
INTJs

What is your career?
Academic.

How much do you like your career?
I love the work content tremendously. There are a lot of problems with the institution, though. Lots of mixed messages (e.g. it purports to value good teaching, but our job security is almost exclusively tied to research publications, so the more time spent on service or student work, the less likely it is that you'll have enough career capital to earn or maintain a desirable position. Also, exploitation of non-tenure track faculty who sometimes teach on multiple campuses and make poverty wages).

What do you not like about your career?
The lifestyle. There is no such thing as a day off (this is actually double-edged--I do grocery shopping at low-use hours while everyone else is at work, but it also means working on evenings & weekends) and you can't choose where you wish to live. Geography matters when your loved ones live far away and there are zero jobs there.
It's also super duper annoying when people who work standard hours find out you did a personal errand at a standard work hour, and they think this represents the airy-fairy academy. They do not see that we are responding to students at any given hour from our smartphones, or that we go into the lab in nontraditional hours while they're legitimately off work, or that we are doing service work on some evenings, etc.

What are your strengths and weaknesses in that job?
Strength: seeing the world as it actually will exist in X future years; taking the risk to stand outside the traditional bounds and go through the growing pains early enough that I will be well-positioned while most are still grinding hard at a dying form of academia.

Weakness: Compared to some of the xSxJs who work within established frameworks and replicate, replicate, replicate, my road is usually slower. I'm also not as efficient at switching tasks as some of the other types. I like immersion work and exploring until I've mastered something. The upshot is that I've almost always done something legitimately new so I earn respect from more senior colleagues as a newbie.

Have you had other jobs that you liked or didn't like? If so, what is it that you liked or didn't like about them?
Yes. I didn't like waitressing. Compared to the ExFx types I was less skilled. It drained me more, too.
 

ceecee

Coolatta® Enjoyer
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Messages
15,908
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
8w9
It's also super duper annoying when people who work standard hours find out you did a personal errand at a standard work hour, and they think this represents the airy-fairy academy.

I know this feeling well. My husband too, since he works from home. Except when he travels. They don't take into account he may be arriving at 10pm for a meeting at 8 the next morning, blah blah blah. I work from home, and give up some benefits of being in an office for the flexibility of picking my kids up at school or getting them to the doctor or dentist during work hours because I can, and do, make that up in the evening. I also start working around 6am.
 

Mademoiselle

noʎ ɟo ǝʇnɔ ʍoH
Joined
Sep 14, 2014
Messages
880
MBTI Type
-NTJ
Enneagram
5w4
Telecommunication Engineering.. Suits me a lot.
I generally love all kinds of informations and jobs.
I just want to learn everything and do my job well.
I can take pleasure in doing almost anything.​
 

Chthonic

New member
Joined
Jun 18, 2014
Messages
683
INTJs

What is your career?
How much do you like your career?
What do you not like about your career?
What are your strengths and weaknesses in that job?
Have you had other jobs that you liked or didn't like? If so, what is it that you liked or didn't like about them?

Flight attendant.
I once loved it immensely but it has become routine now, the shine has worn off. Even so I love shift work and the fact I am never in the office. I enjoy the autonomy given to us and of course all the locations that we visit. I love living out of a suitcase, it suits the gypsy in me.
Boredom is the biggest danger in this job.
 

Chthonic

New member
Joined
Jun 18, 2014
Messages
683
Seriously?

Are you sure you are an INTJ?

I am just surprised that an INTJ would ever go into this as a job.

I'm as INTJ as they come. :D I didn't consciously plan it, one thing lead to another and I found myself in a uniform before I blinked. Then once I was there I found out, I liked it, and I was good at it.

If it makes any difference I am currently seeking to move into publishing, applying for a job as we speak actually.
 

xenaprincess

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 7, 2011
Messages
5,192
MBTI Type
infp
Enneagram
6w5
Instinctual Variant
sp/sx
my hb is an INTJ and he is a producer for TV. He is extremely suited for his job, which requires seeing the bigger picture, wrangling people, negotiating costs and planning. It is a high-stress career that is also creative, which takes advantage of his strengths of logic, planning and being able to actively learn from past experiences.

I think he likes his job very much except that TV tends to be youth-oriented and visually dependent, meaning, if you look old(er), you automatically have two strikes against you. It's not a great feeling to have a shelf life.

Originally he liked the travel that comes with TV shoots. Now he's not so into it but the trips are short enough that they are fine. He needs his alone time to decompress afterwards which can be tough when you're expected to hang out with the crew and client. He dislikes working with flaky or irresponsible people or clients who want a lot for no money. Or change their minds at the last minute. But he is very buttoned up and asks for decisions well beforehand and is not shy to say 'if you don't provide me with X, we won't make the air date'. (The job is not for people pleasers!)

Already mentioned his strengths. I guess his weaknesses might be he is not loosey goosey about ANYTHING. Meaning he cannot 'roll with it' and propose anything hypothetical and pie in the sky, unless it's at an intro meeting when he's asked to ballpark different scenarios. He is incredibly realistic. I think it makes him very good for the job as well, but he becomes extremely frustrated when working with loosey goosey creative people who have a vague idea of what they want to do and haven't worked out any specifics.

This is what he's always done. I think anything involving logistics are up his alley, though directly 'managing people' would be more stressful because he can be very direct. He's better at 'managing a project'.
 

highlander

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 23, 2009
Messages
26,562
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
6w5
Instinctual Variant
sx/sp
Already mentioned his strengths. I guess his weaknesses might be he is not loosey goosey about ANYTHING. Meaning he cannot 'roll with it' and propose anything hypothetical and pie in the sky, unless it's at an intro meeting when he's asked to ballpark different scenarios. He is incredibly realistic. I think it makes him very good for the job as well, but he becomes extremely frustrated when working with loosey goosey creative people who have a vague idea of what they want to do and haven't worked out any specifics.

This is what he's always done. I think anything involving logistics are up his alley, though directly 'managing people' would be more stressful because he can be very direct. He's better at 'managing a project'.

Interesting. I don't think this is universal for INTJs. Is he an Enneagram 1? I actually don't enjoy the logistics part that much at all, though I will do it I'll delegate these things wherever possible. Also, I'm one of those people who tends to have a "vague idea of what I want to do" but "haven't worked out any specifics". It is characteristic of the creative process. You get a vague idea or where you want to go and then, as you create or take incremental actions, it becomes clearer. Everything in my life is like that. I might have a somewhat clear plan in terms of outcomes I want to achieve and timing - even five, ten, or twenty years in advance. I don't know the exact steps I'm going to take to get there though. However, it causes stress for me to not know know what practical steps I'm going to take, which drives me to figure those things out. In the end, people tell me I seem to be pretty organized but they sometimes don't know where I'm going or why, mostly because I either forget to explain it or have a hard time putting the ideas into words

On logistics - looking at Kiersey's temperaments, I believe for Rationals (NT) logistics is the last in terms of NT intelligence, ranked as follows:
1. strategic intelligence
2. tactical intelligence
3. diplomat intelligence
4. logistical intelligence

Logistical intelligence is supposed to be the strength of Guardians (SJ)
 

Coriolis

Si vis pacem, para bellum
Staff member
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
27,230
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
5w6
Instinctual Variant
sp/sx
What is your career?
Experimental physicist

How much do you like your career?
I like it much more in theory than in practice. Meaning, if I could spend most of my time doing research, I would be in heaven. Unfortunately my organization is overburdened with administrivia, and as a result, I spend far too much time doing paperwork and managerial garbage.

My favorite part is lab work: planning and conducting experiments, analyzing data, writing papers and even giving presentations. I enjoy getting to interact with so many accomplished, capable, and just plain wonderful colleagues. I also like the fact that I am constantly learning new things. I have enough seniority that I now mentor junior colleagues, advising them on their work, and even serving as an adjunct at our local university.

What do you not like about your career?
The bureaucracy and regulation, which hamstrings our productivity to an unfortunate degree. We had a big reorganization a couple years ago, and are now subject to increasing levels of micromanagement and mindless makework. It is not the place for an independent-minded soul who values getting anything done. I have to keep myself from caring too much just to stay out of the asylum. But that is more a commentary on my present position than on my career as a whole.

What are your strengths and weaknesses in that job?
Strengths: planning, near to long term, including contingencies; experimental design and execution; teaching myself new things quickly; explaining complicated topics to audiences of varying backgrounds; technical writing; taking advantage of collaborations to get more done.

Weaknesses: tendency to procrastinate and get distracted when confronted with work I don't enjoy doing; impatience with the ills of my organization, including the non-technical "support" staff; people skills beyond professional networking, including the more personal aspects of mentoring.

Have you had other jobs that you liked or didn't like? If so, what is it that you liked or didn't like about them?
Store clerk: disliked; too much public interaction
House cleaner: liked for a college job, since I worked alone
Library assistant: liked, since there was much variety and the chance to learn many things
Consulting firm intern: liked the topic (high-tech industry), didn't like the office politics
Office temp: disliked; tedious but busy, and too much phone work
Teaching assistant: I actually enjoyed teaching, and was reasonably good at it
Military officer: liked the work, the skills I learned, and the chance to travel; disliked the institutionalized stupidity/illogic.
 

RenaiReborn

New member
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
495
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
1w2
I know this is a bit of an older thread, but I couldn't resist.

What is your career?

Registered nurse on a post-surgical/Cardiac surgery unit. In school to get my Master's in Nursing Education.

How much do you like your career?

Depends on the day. I like what I do, making a difference- if I'm lucky. I enjoy being able to precept students, train new staff, and critically think. Other parts that I like include getting to see new procedures come down the ramp, seeing the effects of medications- how they benefit people, utilizing 'manipulative' measures to resolve complicated situations, and advocating for those who can't do so themselves.

What do you not like about your career?

Politicking. I hate being belittled because I am not a doctor- therefore I must not have any critical thinking abilities or experience that is applicable to decision making for a patient. I despise having to play the 'doctor-nurse' game, even if all it is is something I'm used to having to do to get what I need- putting on a mask. Working in a field that is primarily composed of women- who gossip and are moody- ugh, and the conversations. On my down time, I'd rather be figuring out what is going on with my patient and what got them to where they are, not what happened to some overblown character on a TV show, what concert you went to, when you're getting married, or what color bridesmaid dresses you're getting and the long detailed story about how you got them.
I'm not keen on the emotional, mental, verbal, and physical abuse you can be subjected to on a daily basis either.

What are your strengths and weaknesses in that job?

I'm damn good at what I do. All bragging aside, I'm quite thorough in the care I provide my patients. I don't leave things undone, and consider all possible effects of any treatments we provide. I'll advocate for a patient until I get what I want from someone, or until someone else gives them what they need. I can play people like instruments- useful when you have to wait on orders to do anything- legally.
Weaknesses? I have a low tolerance for ignorance, low work ethic, people who cut corners, people who do things that are unsafe, and people who blatantly don't care about what they are doing. This leads to conflict at times.

Have you had other jobs that you liked or didn't like? If so, what is it that you liked or didn't like about them?
I'm relatively young and haven't had many other jobs. Most have involved customer service- which helped me learn how to interact with difficult people. I had another hospital job while in school, and it was...interesting. I didn't like where I was at, as I witnessed a lot of apathy, ignorance, and overall unkind care. I liked that it made me passionate about what I do.
 

grey_beard

The Typing Tabby
Joined
Jan 28, 2014
Messages
1,478
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
5w4
Instinctual Variant
sx/sp
Interesting. I don't think this is universal for INTJs. Is he an Enneagram 1? I actually don't enjoy the logistics part that much at all, though I will do it I'll delegate these things wherever possible. Also, I'm one of those people who tends to have a "vague idea of what I want to do" but "haven't worked out any specifics". It is characteristic of the creative process. You get a vague idea or where you want to go and then, as you create or take incremental actions, it becomes clearer. Everything in my life is like that. I might have a somewhat clear plan in terms of outcomes I want to achieve and timing - even five, ten, or twenty years in advance. I don't know the exact steps I'm going to take to get there though. However, it causes stress for me to not know know what practical steps I'm going to take, which drives me to figure those things out. In the end, people tell me I seem to be pretty organized but they sometimes don't know where I'm going or why, mostly because I either forget to explain it or have a hard time putting the ideas into words

On logistics - looking at Kiersey's temperaments, I believe for Rationals (NT) logistics is the last in terms of NT intelligence, ranked as follows:
1. strategic intelligence
2. tactical intelligence
3. diplomat intelligence
4. logistical intelligence

Logistical intelligence is supposed to be the strength of Guardians (SJ)

For me, diplomatic intelligence is around 98 or so, somewhere below extroverted feeling. :dry:
I can confirm however that logistical intelligence is the forte of the SJ, as I am married to one.
 

devaf

Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2014
Messages
38
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
8w7
Instinctual Variant
sx
What is your career?
Business - IT and Real Estate
How much do you like your career?
It affords me independence, financial and in other ways, a suitable work structure and being in control of my life. It validates my self perceived capacities and gives me contentment when I see things working out the way they were planned. It lets me manage my time to an acceptable degree, allowing me some focus on some non career interests.
What do you not like about your career?
I have to adapt to many things and be flexible about certain things for sucessful outcomes.I don't have enough money to grow from a small to big enterprise.I am too different to work with traditional funding sources, though I am always on the look out, lol. I haven't earned any friends though many acquaintances.(I hope I may make some great friendships here). Overall, I am content.
What are your strengths and weaknesses in that job?
I would say that prime strengths are strategic & tactical planning & execution, knowledge-base & know-how, and a principled life of being loyal, hardworking and honest.
Weaknesses are always communication, poor interpersonal skills, and dislike of marketing and HR functions. I must say I am very afraid of failure (My first business went bankrupt and took me 4 years to recover), to the point where I avoid even bankable and reasonable risks. As a person who faced institutional and private creditors and all manners of recovery and litigation, I am also now averse to debt to the point where I don't use credit cards and home mortgage facility even personally. I know it affects the healthy growth.
Have you had other jobs that you liked or didn't like? If so, what is it that you liked or didn't like about them?
I worked as a junior programmer in a big textile mill after graduation. It was stifling work environment that was regimented and very noisy, had poor team mates and I quit after my first assignment was done and delivered in six months time.
I worked afterwards for three years as a general manager with a group handling diverse responsibilities. Primary job was setup and overall administration of an ITES startup, but had diverse short projects for various other group businesses.I learned a lot, really a lot in that work. I was happy in that job. I quit against all efforts to retain me since I realized I could not work under someone for the rest of my life and that I had evolved to accept a framework of principles and approaches (which is, more simply the integral yoga of Sri Aurobindo, lol) that I wanted to live by and test out in my life. Or rather, manifest what I am in this world.
Been in self employment since, for the last fifteen plus years. I am newly venturing into construction and real estate, focusing on green housing.
 

Coriolis

Si vis pacem, para bellum
Staff member
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
27,230
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
5w6
Instinctual Variant
sp/sx
That is a really interesting job to have. Really cool. What does your work entail?
Unfortunately far too much paperwork, budgeting exercises, administrivia, etc. which is why I am now looking for a new job. It is supposed to involve actual experimental work: following the literature and determining what next to investigate or develop; designing and conducting experiments; writing papers, and mentoring students/junior colleagues along the way.
 

Andy

Supreme High Commander
Joined
Nov 16, 2009
Messages
1,211
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
5w6
I work in R&D, specifically the fire protection of structural steel with reactive coatings. That usually means paint that keeps steel beams and columns cool during a fire so they don't get soft and bend. I also do bit of what they call fire stopping as well, which refers to methods of stopping a fire spreading through a building quickly. My job gives me an excuse to burn thngs, which is always nice.

:campfire:
 
Top