ISTP Life Help...Please!!

[gicts]

I'm lost and don't know where to go next.


I'm a 25 y/o male.

Grade school and high school I always thought I'd play professional sports. Any career tests I took in school pointed me towards manual blue collar jobs. Bluntly, I want to make money and was put off by the results.

In college I drifted to 5 different schools no knowing what I wanted and just prolonging the inevitable. I left with a BS in Criminal Justice and an AAS in Health Studies and began working as a Paramedic.

Twice in college I started the process of entering the military. The first time was as a recruit in the AF. I stopped before the physical (19y/o) because I wasn't comfortable with not being able to control my life for 4 years, and it seemed few if any people were reenlisting after their first time around. The second time I tried as a CO. Took the ASVAB (93% woohoo!), but the recruiter lost interest when he saw I was set about the CO route.

I was not content being a Paramedic. I enjoyed being outdoors, not having a traditional 9-5, and not having to visually be watched by superiors. The majority of patients were scamming the system, and with the obesity epidemic, my back was getting pretty sore. I spent some time with rural Fire Departments, and didn't thoroughly enjoy it. As glorified as the job is, I felt it was just a bunch of fat and lazy guys in recliners. I always had the nagging urge that I should be doing something.

I left and started a internet/ web design/ crafts business for 6 months until I lost my savings

Then I took an internship doing data analysis in a cubicle. The thing growing up I feared the most. I think the culture and environment got to me the most. Needless to say, that is over and I have no plans of going back.

That brings me to today. I don't want to go back to being a Paramedic. It's a dead end job with terrible pay. Other countries have a better system, but I don't see any change in the future for us.

In 5 years I want to be making $60k+ with places to grow.

I've always been excited about engineering, but am afraid I wouldn't be able to cut it. In addition, I'd be close to 30 before I graduate.

Are veterinarians commonly ISTP? I've thought about it before, but am afraid I'd find too many similarities with being a Paramedic.

I've been helping my GF with her MBA homework and am shocked at how quickly my brain says, "Who cares?", and shuts down. I know I couldn't take another Sociology or English class, and have a feeling I couldn't make it through some Chemistry or advanced Math.

I did interview for a State Medical Fraud position that sounded interesting. It combined some undercover investigative work along with research. Being a humble introvert, I feel the interview didn't go very well. Extremely disappointing as I am usually able to pull it together. I've considered the police as there are many more advancement opportunities than a paramedic, but would prefer something a bit more.

Any help or suggestions or constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.

My hobbies include playing team sports, gunsmithing, and beer/wine making. Lately I haven't had much passion for any of them.

 

[Mitsuko Souma]

I don't know the official title of the job or anything but how about the guy who does the statistics in the background for sports?

http://www.amstat.org/sections/SIS/Careers in Sports Statistics/team.html

 

[StephMC]

I'd suggest becoming a programmer (which is what I do, and really enjoy), but I'm going to assume programming was involved in the internet/ web design/crafts business you said you tried.

The sports statistician Mitsuko suggests sounds like a good suggestion, though. I majored in statistics in college, and really enjoyed it. And it would be nice to have a job involved with one of your interests. Also, maybe try physical training?

 

[RaptorWizard]

Do something that involves working in the natural physical world like archaeology or something related.
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[Randomnity]

When I was in high school one of those career tests told me I should be a forest ranger. I laughed because it was so out of left field, but sometimes I wonder. Have you thought about something along those lines?

Veterinarian is a definite veto if you want less than 5 years schooling - typically it's a 3-5 year graduate program and that's not including the biology undergrad you typically need first, and it's as competitive to get into as med school (sometimes even more competitive!) with just about as much of a workload. It's also rarely an outdoor job.

 

[gicts]

I'd suggest becoming a programmer (which is what I do, and really enjoy), but I'm going to assume programming was involved in the internet/ web design/crafts business you said you tried.

The sports statistician Mitsuko suggests sounds like a good suggestion, though. I majored in statistics in college, and really enjoyed it. And it would be nice to have a job involved with one of your interests. Also, maybe try physical training?

Thanks for the ideas. I did tinker with basic web design and programming (all self taught) and did enjoy it. If I had a plan and boundaries, I think I could do more and be happier doing it. How do you recommend going about the training, and how do you see the industry in 5-10 years? With all of the globalization, it isn't difficult to find programmers who will undercut the industry. Will that continue?

I also like your point about training. I'm a bit manic about my workouts. I'll spend around 3-4 months being completely gung-ho, then take a few months off. I'm not much for reality shows, but I can really get into a season of 'The Biggest Loser'. Something about their transformation, both physical and emotional, really gets to me.

Do something that involves working in the natural physical world like archaeology or something related.
View attachment 8192

Interesting that you would bring that up! In grade school and high school, I was very much into archaeology. I still have some of my collection and recreations I did hanging on my walls. I'd walk fields, go to actual digs, and replicate common tools. Archaeology was my first major in college. I was pretty put off by the anthropology and sociology (explains my thinking/feeling) that was associated with the program, and drifted around programs the next few years. There is a minor in archaeology I could try to get into, then see if that is good enough for a Master's....

When I was in high school one of those career tests told me I should be a forest ranger. I laughed because it was so out of left field, but sometimes I wonder. Have you thought about something along those lines?

Veterinarian is a definite veto if you want less than 5 years schooling - typically it's a 3-5 year graduate program and that's not including the biology undergrad you typically need first, and it's as competitive to get into as med school (sometimes even more competitive!) with just about as much of a workload. It's also rarely an outdoor job.

I think I'd really enjoy being a Conservation Officer of Forest Ranger. I sat through a recruitment for the State's positions and it was very exciting. Sadly, the pay is far from what I am interested in. I know, I know. If you do what you love, pay doesn't matter For a year of labor ($28-36k/yr), subtract taxes($19-25k), food and gas($15-20k), you're almost left with enough for rent! Don't mention being able to save, retirement, car expenses...... I want to take the next step and have something to show for a year of my labor!

I agree, a vet isn't in my future. I figured there would be 2-4 more classes I'd need to take instead of the 6-10. I haven't had the most stellar collegiate record, so I have to steer from the overly competitive programs.

 

[Poki]

I've always been excited about engineering, but am afraid I wouldn't be able to cut it. In addition, I'd be close to 30 before I graduate.

I got my associates in Electronics Technology and made $50k straight out of my intern ship as a Technician at Texas Instruments working on 30 million dollar equipment that makes computer chips.

The funny part is thats what Texas Tech told me I would make with a 4 year degree starting out.

 

[StephMC]

Thanks for the ideas. I did tinker with basic web design and programming (all self taught) and did enjoy it. If I had a plan and boundaries, I think I could do more and be happier doing it. How do you recommend going about the training, and how do you see the industry in 5-10 years? With all of the globalization, it isn't difficult to find programmers who will undercut the industry. Will that continue?

Plans/boundaries are key for me too. To be honest, as someone still new to the industry (about 3 years), I prefer working under a project manager. They tell me what I need to get done, and then it's up to me to figure out what I need to do to accompish that. My point being, I like having an overall goal to accomplish, but have the freedom to fill in the rest of the details and work the way I want to work. It's a pretty ideal way for me to operate right now, though once I get enough experience, I'll probably freelance.

I wouldn't worry about the industry in 5-10 years. Sure, there will be outsourcing. But as far as I can tell, low cost programming is done by code monkeys... People not trained or even required to ask questions if they see something structurally wrong with the task given to them. They're told what and how to program, and that's the way they program it, whether or not it may cause a slew of bugs. Well-trained programmer/analysts -- ones that act almost as consultants and are trained to give input and ideas to the design and structure of the project they're working on -- will always be in demand. Then again, this is all the impression I've gathered while working in the industry for only a few years. I am no authority.

And as far as getting into the industry, start scanning entry-level programmer/analyst jobs on Dice.com. Check out what the requirements are. A lot of them will say "Computer science or related degree", but really, that just means any degree. If you're able to list the programming languages you know through self-study on a resume, that may be good enough for employers (though you'll probably be tested you know the basics). Some people like to train their programmers theirselves -- that's how I got my first job, though I had taken a few programming courses as a statistics major. I would recommend a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) exam, but really... I don't think it's necessary. You just need to find your "in" job.

 

[spirilis]

I wouldn't worry about the industry in 5-10 years. Sure, there will be outsourcing. But as far as I can tell, low cost programming is done by code monkeys... People not trained or even required to ask questions if they see something structurally wrong with the task given to them. They're told what and how to program, and that's the way they program it, whether or not it may cause a slew of bugs. Well-trained programmer/analysts -- ones that act almost as consultants and are trained to give input and ideas to the design and structure of the project they're working on -- will always be in demand. Then again, this is all the impression I've gathered while working in the industry for only a few years. I am no authority.

I definitely agree with this; there's folks who really know what's going on, and folks who don't. The one experience I've had with hired code-monkeys (luckily I was insulated from working with them directly) turned into a disaster with maybe 1 out of the 5 or 6 huge projects actually coming to fruition. Numbers probably looked good to some business-y folks up front, but in the end it was a waste.

 

[Bamboo]

Well, I'm disappointed about the paramedic idea, but hey, maybe I'd have better luck with that sort of thing. I've been interested in that for a while.

Instead of rural fire departments did you ever try cities? While I hear you're prone to dealing with many poor and sometimes hostile 'clients', you're probably also more likely to deal with people who actually need help and there's generally more action.

I'm in a similar boat, considered joining the military, school was a drag but generally got good test scores, jumping from project to project, talked with some guys in the police about their work. Currently self-employed (handyman) and it works and if I gain the right skills/expand/specialize I could make it into a higher paying job but I'm not sure that's my route.

Take something you're good at and specialize. Custom gun stocks? What sort of smithing do you do? Maybe you need a fresh take.

 

[tkae.]

If you want a shit ton of money with proportionally little education, don't mind getting your hands dirty, and since you've already drifted into things like data and programming, then I'd so try going back for a BS in Geology.

Geology majors make 60k-80k+ right out of school working for oil companies analyzing soil samples for potential deposits, and there's about to be a shortage of them. The upper parts of the pay range are 120k-130k, and if you can translate that experience into a merging with the career track of oil company businessmen, you've got some nasty pay scales in your future.

The only thing they said was that it can be a bit boring when you're actually working, but I'm pretty sure it's a 9-5 job, so it's not like you'd be a slave to it even if it's mind-numbing.

When I (an English major lol) took Geology it wasn't insanely hard. Maybe in the upper level classes it could be tough. But with you guys rocking test scores, I say go for it.

It can also be an outdoors-y job, and it's definitely that as a major when you do field studies.

 

[Bamboo]

Actually am interested in an oil rig job...research I did indicated they could use Medics. You're out in the middle of the gulf, they need a guy with that sort of experience if something goes wrong, they pay well. Of course - I don't know how often things really go wrong. It's not like how it was 50 years ago, I assume getting your hand mangled by a giant falling section of pipe isn't something that happens too often any more, so it might just be sitting around with the fat guys waiting for something to happen.

 

[xenaprincess]

Vetrinary school takes years and years.

Is police work too similar to paramedic? After all you have the criminal science background. I can see being a detective or forensic scientist. That would be super cool if you don't mind the gory stuff.

 

[EvidenceOfRedemption]

I have also gone through the paces (25 y/o male ISTP with a penchant for job dissatisfaction) of finding a career and it has paid off, cause I finally found one: welder.

No way I could have guessed it, though. I got exposed to it mechanic school (mechanics these days is boring and mostly parts replacement, by the way) and was somewhat of a prodigy according to the instructors, that plus I loved it.

Good luck finding your niche, unfortunately my experience-based advice is that you won't figure it out without actually getting your boots muddy... might take a little extra effort to expose yourself to new careers but it's worth it once you do.