ISTP career suggestions please?

[lilikoi]

Career needs to:

-Be hands on, working with someTHING not people or ideas
-Be primarily in nature, at least 50/50 indoors/nature ratio
-Involve travel to remote places, near or far; bonus for travel by less conventional means (prop plane, llama's back, backpacking, wooden canoe, hot air balloon...)
-Have tangible, immediate, practical applications -- no "let's study xyz purely for the sake of knowledge" kind of thing; bonus if it helps people and is good for the environment at the same time.
-Requires problem solving, improvising, observation

I have always been very excited by "field expeditions". I just can't figure out what field I should be in - pardon the pun.

I am:



Currently have a degree in mechanical engineering. There are some aspects of it that I do enjoy (I've worked in the real world for a few years now to try it out), but I need a connection to nature and am willing to start over in undergrad to get it if I have to.

If someone can help me figure out how to make the following personality trait of mine an asset rather than liability, I would be deeply grateful:

I seek information and knowledge only when I see a practical, tangible, immediate use for it. When such opportunity arises, I become an expert with very little effort. To learn the same information when I don't see an immediate application, I have to expend great amounts of energy and frustration. I have the mental capacity to comprehend even the most complex physics theory but rarely the motivation.

Careers I am currently looking into:

Photojournalism - I'm afraid I'd be poor and unemployed forever.
Investigative journalism - Not sure if writing for a living would be enjoyable.
Ethnobotany - Not sure if I have aptitude for mastering natural sciences.
Plant explorer - Do people still pay for this?
Environmental law - Don't know if I can handle long work hours indoors.
Marine biologist - I feel like there are too many of them already.
Agriculture something - Not sure if I'd get to travel, probably not to remote places, I'd be working outdoors but not in a pristine natural environment.

 

[rhinosaur]

If you live in Hawaii like your names suggest then you are in a prime location for marine biology. I did a summer stint as a chemist at a marine lab in Florida, and I loved it. If you can get your foot in the door, you'll spend your days going out and collecting, or tagging, or observing creatures -- anything from mussels to sharks, and everything between -- whether as a diver, or just wading through mud. You can't be squeamish though.

However motivation is an issue, and as in any kind of science an ISTP is more suited to behind the scenes work and applied research -- problem solving mode -- rather than pure, original research where you have to first come up with the ideas. Most of us simply don't see a point in conducting experiments that don't have a tangible, direct application. This is currently what I struggle with in my chosen profession as a chemist.

The other downside of biology degrees is the whole "working for peanuts" aspect...

 

[Scott N Denver]

stereotypical ISTP professions: military, police, stuntwork, mechanic, repairwork, smokejumper, firefighter, etc

 

[Fecal McAngry]

Career needs to:

-Be hands on, working with someTHING not people or ideas
-Be primarily in nature, at least 50/50 indoors/nature ratio
-Involve travel to remote places, near or far; bonus for travel by less conventional means (prop plane, llama's back, backpacking, wooden canoe, hot air balloon...)
-Have tangible, immediate, practical applications -- no "let's study xyz purely for the sake of knowledge" kind of thing; bonus if it helps people and is good for the environment at the same time.
-Requires problem solving, improvising, observation

I have always been very excited by "field expeditions". I just can't figure out what field I should be in - pardon the pun.

I am:



Currently have a degree in mechanical engineering. There are some aspects of it that I do enjoy (I've worked in the real world for a few years now to try it out), but I need a connection to nature and am willing to start over in undergrad to get it if I have to.

If someone can help me figure out how to make the following personality trait of mine an asset rather than liability, I would be deeply grateful:

I seek information and knowledge only when I see a practical, tangible, immediate use for it. When such opportunity arises, I become an expert with very little effort. To learn the same information when I don't see an immediate application, I have to expend great amounts of energy and frustration. I have the mental capacity to comprehend even the most complex physics theory but rarely the motivation.

Careers I am currently looking into:

Photojournalism - I'm afraid I'd be poor and unemployed forever.
Investigative journalism - Not sure if writing for a living would be enjoyable.
Ethnobotany - Not sure if I have aptitude for mastering natural sciences.
Plant explorer - Do people still pay for this?
Environmental law - Don't know if I can handle long work hours indoors.
Marine biologist - I feel like there are too many of them already.
Agriculture something - Not sure if I'd get to travel, probably not to remote places, I'd be working outdoors but not in a pristine natural environment.

An ISTP who is married to an INTJ friend of mine is the stage manager for a major television talk show on NBC.

My orthopedic surgeon, who is extremely respected in his field, is an ISTP.

Both jobs are hands on, and both guys are very good at what they do. These aren't outdoor jobs, but during their down time they are quite active (hiking, golf, soccer, etc.).

I'll try to think of more ISTPs I know tomorrow when I'm less tired.

 

[Fecal McAngry]

stereotypical ISTP professions: military, police, stuntwork, mechanic, repairwork, smokejumper, firefighter, etc

The Quintessential ISTP
YouTube - Clint Eastwood Sudden Impact Coffee

 

[BlueScreen]

ISTP is a difficult type to pick a job for. In my view they are the most all round skilled type. Whatever you are most interested in and good at seems best. That seems to be what all the ones I know end up in eventually.

 

[sLiPpY]

And here I was looking for some ideas...

 

[Abuwabu]

Yacht deliveries can work out pretty well when you have a laundry list of things you want to do like this. By not using the engine you can be pretty environmentally friendly and there are plenty of new destinations to photograph. Definitely requires problem solving, improvising, observation; and certainly ticks the 'time spent in nature' box.

 

[Snuggletron]

veterinarian?

 

[thisGuy]

if you already have a degree i mech eng, you can go be a pilot or even better a test pilot....wikipedia it

 

[sLiPpY]

I found a list that I liked enough to feel like worth sharing...

Examples of careers often chosen by your type as a career personality profile fit include:

•Farmer
•Military Officer or Enlistee
•Electrical Engineer
•Electrical Technician
•Coal Miner
•Transportatikon Operator
•Dental Hygienist
•Construction, Warehouse, Groundskeeper
•Mechanic
•Legal Secretary
•Cleaning Service Worker
•Surveyor
•Corrections Officer
•Carpenter
•Construction Worker
•Steelworker
•Cook
•Small Business Manager
•Physician: Pathology
•Mechanical Engineer
•Craft Worker
•Computer Programmer
•Law Enforcement
•Lawyer
•Engineering
•Optometrist
•City Works Technician
•Media Specialist
•Dental Assistant
•Federal Manager
•Machine Worker
•Regional Utilities Manager
•Commputer Professional
•Physical therapist
•Fire Dept. Manager
•Engineering: All Categories
•Social Services Administration
•Lawyer or Judge
•Public Manager
•Accountatnt
•Govt. Manager
•Typist
•Guard
•Respiratory Therapist
•Computer Operations & Systems
•School Bus Driver
•Storekeeper
•Corporate Manager
•Adult Education Teacher
•Coaching

Your type is found much less often in and attracted less by work characterized as requiring a great deal of nurturing work, relationship-oriented work and/or work that requires attention to more highly theoretical, abstract and symbolic material such as:

•Pollice Detective
•Director of Religious Education
•Student Personnel Administration (college)
•Journalist
•Education Consultant
•Aeronauticall Engineer
•Clerical Supervisor
•Biology Scientist
•Actor
•Research Assistant
•Nursing & Public Health
•Dentist
•Receptionist
•Pre-School Teacher
•Fine Artist
•Architect
•Psychodrama Therapist (pshychology)
•Crisis Counselor
•Occupational Therapist
•Religious Order Lay Member

ISTP Personality Mechanical, Realistic, Independent

 

[Speed Gavroche]

veterinarian?

I prefer dissect animals than nurse them.

 

[lilikoi]

Thanks for all the recs, folks

The info has been most helpful. I have added both 'something to do with boating' and pilot to my list, among others. I've never seriously considered pilot because I always heard it was expensive to get started. Having looked into it a bit now, it is indeed, but doable. The starting pay looks low, and salary seems to range quite a bit. Who gets paid the 6 figures? I'm guessing old commercial pilots w/ tons of seniority? Also, I have NEVER encountered a woman pilot.....wonder why?

 

[sLiPpY]

Embry-Riddle in Daytona is a good school for individuals who choose not to take the Air Force route. Most of the top paid pilots are for commercial airliners and in most cases they are retired from the Air Force.

Lots of pilots have been laid off since 2001, which I don't think should discourage someone from pursuing something that appeals to them. Even if it took a while to find a good gig, at least a person could still do it on a personal basis.

The guy that founded McAffe, is now a pilot for tourist in Beleze. sp?

Thought to myself, ok he got 200 Million for the company he founded in the late eighties. Then the man lost all of his money in the real estate bust. Now he's in his sixties and taking people down rivers in boats, and flying pontoon planes.

Which life of those three would appeal to me. I think the one he has now, and the man appears to be energetic and happy vs. others globally who had millions or billions they lost and committed suicide.

 

[Evil Otter]

stereotypical ISTP professions: military, police, stuntwork, mechanic, repairwork, smokejumper, firefighter, etc

*stereotypical list* of ISTP professions. In reality though "military" is far to broad a term but if we're generalizing the whole damn thing I'll say this military, police, firefighter would all make terrible jobs for an ISTP. We would only enjoy these during the movie-esk moments (i.e. in a fire fight, high-speed chase, or rescue). But these moments are fewer and further between than they are in the movies or tv. Like most cops say, they never even pull out their gun. Or from my own personal experience, I've been in the military for 6 years between school and work and only fired 90 rounds from a military M-4 or M-16.

 

[Evil Otter]

The info has been most helpful. I have added both 'something to do with boating' and pilot to my list, among others. I've never seriously considered pilot because I always heard it was expensive to get started. Having looked into it a bit now, it is indeed, but doable. The starting pay looks low, and salary seems to range quite a bit. Who gets paid the 6 figures? I'm guessing old commercial pilots w/ tons of seniority? Also, I have NEVER encountered a woman pilot.....wonder why?

Before paying for pilot schooling just find someone to give you a free ride. If you aren't captivated by the fact that you're flying when you're on a commercial airliner you will probably find flying the plane to be equally boring. Like driving a car but it can go up and down now too. That was my experience, so I wouldn't want someone else to spend tons of money just to find out they don't like it especially when there is plenty of opportunity to find out much more cost-effectively