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[ENFP] ENFP career question (Ne-Fi battle)

skylights

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alt title: why Ne is a bitch.



hi ENFPs!

and other NFs. :)

i'm a career-searching recent graduate, as you guys may or may not have heard me talk about (it's been my recent obsession, haha). and i've done enough research where i'm at a point that i'm ready to be done with thinking and start acting.

the thing is, the career path i think i want to go into (becoming a physician) sends up red flags all over Ne-land. what makes me hesitate is that, prior to knowing the MBTI, i probably wouldn't be so concerned... but i can't tell whether this is me better knowing myself and being aware of my pitfalls, or projecting worries that wouldn't surface otherwise. i've already begun down this path a little in securing a job at a hospital (haven't started yet) and i don't know if all these red flags are just popping up because i'm scared that i've locked myself in, or because they're genuine concerns.

what i mean is:

female_doctor.png


doctors (stereotype): confident, dedicated, work long hours, not have a lot of room outside their jobs to do what they want, precise, not messing up otherwise they get their butts sued, etc etc

which kind of flies in the face of Ne. kind of. not completely. but i'm worried about feeling locked in, getting sick of being around sick people, getting sick of other doctors, being stuck in one place and not having time to travel, messing up or getting too emotional and getting a bad reputation or sued, not being confident enough to make diagnoses, etc. on the other hand, part of me says i could be a great doctor (probably OB/GYN or pediatrician specialist) because i'm curious, warm, sensitive, passionate... intellectual but with an awesome bedside manner. i spent my early life in hospitals/doctors' offices and am comfortable in them and with medicine in general. and when someone IRL is hurt, i jump to take control of the situation. i feel like i'm in my element. i'm calm and confident, and pleased with myself once i'm done.

reporter.jpeg


the other career path i'm considering is being a reporter. it's always listed for ENFP careers. it's long hours too, but gives me more space to move around. i'm good at writing, i like being in the public eye, and it's wide and varied. i'd get to learn about everything, not just one field. it's not well-paid and it's stressful, though, and i've heard you need a thick skin. and maybe i'd love the freedom, but is someone else dictating where you travel and what you learn about really freedom? i'm not sure. i've been around newsrooms and i'm not sure i like the atmosphere. i also kind of suck at deadlines. medical deadlines seem easier because it's in-the-moment. reporter deadlines seem more like homework. and man do i suck at being on time with homework. and no security or structure... part of me thinks i really need that. but reporter is sounding more appealing to me recently - i suspect because i've now gotten a job in medicine.

i guess it sounds like Ne and Fi are fighting... i guess i'm scared that i'll lose my freedom if i'm a doctor and i won't be able to make a satisfying living and won't have the security that i want if i'm a reporter.

Ne Fi smackdown :doh:

(mediated by Ne, which is a bitch, because i can see all the potential great and terrible things but i can't tell which ones ultimately outweigh the others.)



ps - i know there are ways of reconciling these things when i'm older and have some money under my belt, but for now, i have to start down a single path...
 

Rebe

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have you tried making a pro and con list and attributing points from one to ten of importance.
like...

reporter

more freedom 8 points
less pay -9 points
less stable economic field -8

i do it to organize information and put value in a more objective, systematic way. i could be lying to myself the whole time but maybe that could help you even if it's all loose and casual (you know what i mean?)

also, identify the main reason why you want to be a doctor versus the main reason why you want to be a reporter - narrow it down to one Core reason and see if one sticks longer to you. would you regret giving up freedom for security or security for freedom?

based on the economy these days, being a reporter i think is harder and less in demand. it's hard to be a reporter of substance and importance whereas a doctor, any doctor, has a lot of power, responsibility, importance... you know?

for some reason, i like power and knowing that i am making a difference and not wasting away on mundane, unimportant ideas/stuff. i think doctors automatically have a lot of autonomy whereas reporters are dependent on their bosses/papers on what to write, how to write, when to write, where to write. it takes reporters a lot to climb up the ladder to be assigned something worthwhile to actually write about. just my thoughts.

like i'd love to report on human rights crises all around the world, writing about refugees, sex trafficking, orphans. but i'd have to start off at the very bottom, would have to spend time writing all sorts of news that i deem uninteresting and unworthy. would i ever be one of the faces of CNN? nope. do i want to be part of a county's newspaper just to be a reporter? no no. would you be able to write about something exceedingly dull? how are your writing skills? honestly, reporting isn't much about eloquence of language as much as just getting the news out there in an intelligent, dignified language. reading the newspapers is sort of dull because the language is formal and all facts and i prefer a lot of imagination, word play and creativity, which is what fuels Ne.
 

skylights

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rebe thank you!! you put into words my deeper reservations about reporting. i have an ENFP friend who went into journalism at her school and she hated it. i haven't been able to talk to her about why, but this is what i suspect as well. too much soul-selling before you can get anywhere, and still then no guarantee of getting anywhere. someday i would love to be on NPR... i think that is one of my life's dreams... but maybe i can achieve that by becoming an expert in my field and getting to talk on NPR because of that. that would be really amazing.

for some reason, i like power and knowing that i am making a difference and not wasting away on mundane, unimportant ideas/stuff. i think doctors automatically have a lot of autonomy whereas reporters are dependent on their bosses/papers on what to write, how to write, when to write, where to write. it takes reporters a lot to climb up the ladder to be assigned something worthwhile to actually write about. just my thoughts.

yeah. i think this is true too. i want to make a difference. and i want to make a BIG difference, which i think is part of what's pushing me away, but i think i could make a difference. especially if i were to do Doctors Without Borders in the future. i think that would be amazing - feed my desire to travel while helping the neediest populations. one of the biggest upsides i see of a medical career is that they're always in need. there's nowhere i can go that doesn't need a doctor, and the heart of the profession is helping others. i could never get away from that - and i would never want to!

thanks for helping me see this more clearly :)

as for that rating scale - i like it, i think it's a really great idea... though i think i'd have a hard time assigning numbers, you know? it might be helpful. i'm going to try it. :yes:

hehe though i think your Fi picked up on me leaning towards doctor anyway. i think it's what i really want, and i'm just trying to freak myself out of it... as like... protection from it or something.

:blink: insight there. i'm scared. go figure.

anyway again thanks!!! :hug:

i start my job at the hospital this week so hopefully it will go well!
 

Rebe

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i am so happy to be of help. i sympathize with the difficult choice. believe me, if i had the skills to be a doctor, i would. doctors without borders in the future is a Great idea. the worse thing is to want to make a difference but not having any natural talent/skills to be put into practical use. if you have the skills to be a doctor, definitely don't let it go easily. good luck! update me if you want, i am really curious about various careers these days.
 

skylights

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haha that is what i'm a little bit worried about, the skills thing... i'm not really worried about med school but i am concerned that i wouldn't pay enough attention to detail and end up killing someone or something :blink: i mean i kind of doubt it, if you do anything complex or complicated you have nurses and assistants and whatnot, but still... haha. anyway thanks again for your help :D i'm starting my job tomorrow so we'll see! i'm not even sure what part of the hospital i'll be working in yet. i'll let you know what i think, too. i am definitely always interested in hearing about people's careers too. :yes:
 

Malkavia

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I dont exactly know how other ENFPs try and "balance" their Ne and Fi, but for me it requires a lot of alone time and meditation.

I can be kind of bad at constantly researching things, making lists, and just DOING things when what I actually need to do is just go to my room, take a deep breath, and really let me heart and mind synchronize so I can figure out what I truly think I want. I've had to have a few of those and each time I have been happy with the answer that reveals itself.
 

skylights

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oh gosh, sitting alone and thinking. sounds unpleasant, but you're right. i'm terrible about researching the crap out of things and making organizers and plans and not getting any farther than i was before. i'll give that a try. thanks :yes:
 

Malkavia

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I think the combination of Ne+Fi make us excellent self-reflectors.
 

PeaceRobin

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You should totally do med school! I feel too old to start now but totally wish I would have!! I was also thinking about reporting right after graduation but I think it would be a nightmare for an ENFP bc of the problem with over researching and not actually writing as you stated. Also, it is ridiculously competitive when it comes to reporting about the things you would actually care to cover such as human rights like Rebe pointed out. Mostly the deadlines would be miserable though :) I think ENFPs would be amazing doctors, esp pediatricians. Best of luck!
 

skylights

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those are excellent points robin thank you :hug:

I think it would be a nightmare for an ENFP bc of the problem with over researching and not actually writing as you stated.

SO TRUE :laugh:

i am looking at maybe being a psychologist now too. i definitely have an interest in the social/health field... the doctor pay would be nice lol... but i just really want to find something i will be happy doing!! i think maybe getting a high level degree in psychology would allow me a lot of room to change settings if i get bored, which, as an ENFP, i admit that i am so likely to do
 

PeaceRobin

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Oh that would be another great, great, great fit!! Just make sure that hearing other peoples problems all day would bring you down ya know? But I know there are other realms of psychology too and some not so depressing. The thing is we could be happy doing so many things! We are lucky in that aspect but man it can make the decision process hard! I always thought a professor would be an amazing fit for ENFPs so always keep that as an option too!
 

Neutralpov

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Do informational interviews and ask the tough questions. For example I asked about how the person whose job I want at UT here (Director of mentorship office) got to their position and the sacrifices, the politics, the unspoken expectations... Also sounds crazy but school might not be for you. Graduate or medical sounds glossy and prestigious but in reality is no fun and actually seems to depress most of us under the extreme load and pressures. If your research isn't good you may waste thousands of dollars and not get a diploma and it is also competitive in the research portion and I am in counseling.
Also one weird way that I learned my likes was being around the mass groups of each master's field. Counseling people were somewhat like (but more serious and very P, or almost super humble and ISFP, or research oriented INTJ- like psychiatrist clinical detached) me but the personality traits stood out sharply that I didn't have and I can see now why the fields have certain personality traits. For example I noticed I left so energized and happy when around a cohort from student affairs- student personnel services in education administration. Then it hit me! They are "my" people. And I can do guidance counseling. Sometimes seeing "your people" can help you peg what you want.

I have lots more thoughts being a second year graduate student and 5 years of out college but send me your questions in PM and I can tackle them. I also think it just takes time and courage!
 

skylights

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Oh that would be another great, great, great fit!! Just make sure that hearing other peoples problems all day would bring you down ya know? But I know there are other realms of psychology too and some not so depressing. The thing is we could be happy doing so many things! We are lucky in that aspect but man it can make the decision process hard! I always thought a professor would be an amazing fit for ENFPs so always keep that as an option too!

haha i know i thought of that too! like, would it be depressing? but maybe not. we are lucky! :)

Do informational interviews and ask the tough questions. For example I asked about how the person whose job I want at UT here (Director of mentorship office) got to their position and the sacrifices, the politics, the unspoken expectations... Also sounds crazy but school might not be for you. Graduate or medical sounds glossy and prestigious but in reality is no fun and actually seems to depress most of us under the extreme load and pressures. If your research isn't good you may waste thousands of dollars and not get a diploma and it is also competitive in the research portion and I am in counseling.
Also one weird way that I learned my likes was being around the mass groups of each master's field. Counseling people were somewhat like (but more serious and very P, or almost super humble and ISFP, or research oriented INTJ- like psychiatrist clinical detached) me but the personality traits stood out sharply that I didn't have and I can see now why the fields have certain personality traits. For example I noticed I left so energized and happy when around a cohort from student affairs- student personnel services in education administration. Then it hit me! They are "my" people. And I can do guidance counseling. Sometimes seeing "your people" can help you peg what you want.

I have lots more thoughts being a second year graduate student and 5 years of out college but send me your questions in PM and I can tackle them. I also think it just takes time and courage!

thank you!! i think that's a great idea about resonating with "your people". i do know what you mean.

anyway i love school in general and don't mind more work... i actually kind of like being under a lot of academic stress, because i'm crazy like that :)

i do wish i could find more grouped ENFPs. we seem so scattered compared to some other groups. i'm fascinated by how i'm watching friends i've typed a certain way (or whose types i know) go into career categories that totally fit that type. an ESFJ nurse, ESFJ teacher, ESFP culinary student, ESFP photographer, ENFJ psychologist, ESFP preschool teacher, INTP chemist, ENTP physicist, INTP doctor, ESFP special event planner, and so on. ENFPs, i have no idea where we even fall. i have one ENFP friend who's working at a law firm, another who went into journalism but hated it and now plans to get a master's in literature (though she doesn't need to ever have a job because her family has boatloads of money, and is not particularly work-oriented).

must hunt down more ENFPs :thinking:

anyway thank you!! :hug: will probably be PM'ing later
 
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