Careers/jobs for INFJ's?

C

chobo

Newbie
MBTI
infj
Hi, I recently graduated in computer science and had a two month job experience from hell which has really affected me to the point where I just don't know what to do anymore.

After some self-reflection I realized that the work I was doing wasn't meaningful and appreciated; everything was about the bottom line and they didn't care about the employees. My boss had such a negative attitude and persona that any interaction with him, even just being in the same room drained away any motivation I had. Unfortunately his desk was about 8 feet away from mine, and I was by him the whole day... It was also hard to cope with the lack of communication for 8 hours straights, everyone just kept to themselves and worked away like some sweat shop.

After that experience I don't think I could make it in that industry, so I am desperately searching for something to work towards that would be more fulfilling.

Could someone please list some careers/jobs that would be a good fit for an INFJ, or any suggestions. I have been reading all the career books and self discovery books that I could get my hands on, but I just can't figure out what to do.

Every time I think I found something, I think about how I am going to be in that job for the rest of my life and that freaks me out. I also have flashbacks about that shit hole place and fear getting myself into that situation again.
 
My passion is social work. It's all about learning ways to improve lives. It's incredibly broad and interesting work, but it requires a special kind of person. If you think you could like working with people and you become passionate about social issues, then its a possible option. The only downside is it would require that you return to school. However, since it is so broad, if you ever get tired of one area of social work then you can always move to another. For example, if you get tired of working with the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, you can move into working for child welfare or move to working as a probation officer, or move to working with sexual offenders, or move to working with the homeless, or move working with special needs children, or move to working in domestic abuse shelters, and the list goes on and on. So you are never trapped in one particular field. You can even go on to obtain a masters and get licensed as an LCSW and open up your own private practice, or work towards your doctorates and work as a professor. And some social workers even go on to have political careers and work directly to change social policy.
 
Last edited:
I would say as alot of us are interested in big questions, we would do well within any of the sciences whether it is natural or human sciences. Personally I love psychology and I wish to have two master degrees, firstly in psychiatry (medicine), and something else which I havent decided on yet. I also have an aspiring wish to be an actress

^^
 
I don't know if I have it in me to go back to school at the moment. I did quite well in the tech college I attended, but it required a lot of hard work. I know some students can get by with doing practically nothing, but I'm the opposite and need to work at stuff pretty hard to make it.

I am also am in my late twenties and I don't have the time or capital to go back and try again :( Plus, I have learned that companies seem to hate new graduates, so my current education hasn't really opened any doors for me.
 
I would say your best bet is to look for a niche then. Find something that isn't being addressed by the mainstream and focus on it. That will make it your own.
 
Chobo, it's not uncommon to dislike your job right after graduation. It may not be so much the industry or the area of computer science that you dislike. It may well be the particular workplace, boss or co-workers that conflict with your personality. Think about these questions:

1. In what field do you want to maximize your potential? What field will require your potential? What is your talent? What are your strengths and weaknesses?

2. Let's say the kind of work is still the same for a fresh grad but the workplace has changed where the boss is supportive and appreciative of his employees and the co-workers are more caring and friendly, will you want to stay in the job and work you way up? If yes, then it may mean that you do like the area of work (i.e. computer science) but you just have to keep looking for a better work environment or maybe a different organization and people. In that case, you may just need to hang in there in your current job, gain work experiences and references while applying to many different places at the same time.

3. What attracted you to computer science? Do you want to further your potential by going into specialties? Or do you feel that computer science is just not where you want to maximize your potential? If not, where do you want to manifest your ideas and creativity?

4. What do you find most rewarding/satisfying--a) You made a significant breakthrough in writing a computer program with the team. Your hard work and innovative ideas are acknowledged and deeply appreciated. or b) You helped a wounded person out of an abusive relationship and rebuild her confidence by using your professional skills, your counselling talent and empathy. The person deeply appreciated your help and guidance.

It is never too late to go back to school to start from scratch if you are SURE where it is that you want to offer your potential and maximize it. Even if it takes a lot of turns and heaps of obstacles to overcome, there will be no regrets because it's what you will do for it.

5. What kind of jobs and work environments will likely have a high percentage of people that sharply conflict with your personality? What kind of jobs and work environments that will likely have a high percentage of people that have similar personality to yourself?

6. Keep in mind that every workplace has some personalities (whether it's the boss or some co-workers) that conflict with your own. Will you be able to identify some of your weaknesses, work on them to resolve existing conflicts or minimize potential ones? If so, that can be an invaluable learning experience. Or do you find that you have to change your personality a lot (almost like turning into a totally different person that you just are not) in order to handle the day-to-day conflicts and it gets harder and harder each time? Does your workplace require you to change your core values and morals in order to survive?

I hope that the above questions will help you with your dilemma.
 
Thank you guys for taking the time to answer, I really appreciate it. I think I would really like to be my own boss, but I have to first overcome some issues before I can even attempt it.
 
Before you write off any particular field, keep in mind that different organizations in the same field can be run very differently. I've worked at three different organizations in my field -- two of them were hell on Earth, and the last one I found turned out to be decent, and I've been there for some years now. But there was a point where I was willing to leave my field all together.

There are tons and tons of places where you can work as a computer scientist. If it's what you enjoy doing, don't give up on it! There is no "perfect" job out there, although I think there are places that can come close. Every place you work at will have people you don't like and work you may find a bit boring, but, on balance, will help you meet your goals in life.

Think "two jobs" ahead. That is, your next job should help you find the job afterwards that you really really want.

Good work can be difficult to find (it took me many years to find!!) but it's out there, and just stay positive...you'll find it eventually, if you have even just an inkling of what it is you're looking for.
 
Chobo, I registered just to tell you this -- think about working as a computer trainer. (That's what I've done for many years.) It combines your technical skills with your desire for human connection and service. You don't need any additional education. If you find you're having trouble getting a job due to a lack of experience, find a volunteer opportunity that lets you tutor seniors or kids. Check out the ASTD site (American Society for Training and Development) and good luck!
 
Also, Chobo? Don't worry about doing one job for the rest of your life. You can be a "lifelong learner" and guide your work in different directions as needed. Feeling like you have to figure it all out today will just add to your stress and self-doubt. Choose from the alternatives that surround you today and move forward -- the rest will come on its own.

I'm 50, and the voice of experience!
 
Someone said:
Chobo, I registered just to tell you this -- think about working as a computer trainer. (That's what I've done for many years.) It combines your technical skills with your desire for human connection and service. You don't need any additional education. If you find you're having trouble getting a job due to a lack of experience, find a volunteer opportunity that lets you tutor seniors or kids. Check out the ASTD site (American Society for Training and Development) and good luck!
Click to expand...

I've seen people volunteer at local libraries.. Just an idea, if you are interested :)
 
I also have a passion for social work and psychology. I graduated with a BA in Psych, and also my Social Service Worker diploma.

I've been working in data entry as late, which is so not the job for me, but I hope I'll soon be able to find something in my field! *crosses fingers*
 
The last 6 months I've been questioning my field as well (I work in corporate America where deadlines and the bottom line rule all). But the last few months, I've seriously considered going into nursing or some social science field. Actually, I shouldn't even say considered, it's been more like an overwhelming wave of: "You're not where you're suppose to be". And the other problem is I make decent money, I won't be making the same if I start all over again in an entry level position in another field (superficial I know, but I have a family to support). I just need to start positioning myself to transition, that way when I know I can't take it anymore, I'm financially ready.
 
mm...I'm already in my last year of school and have no idea what I'm gonna do (I change my mind every few days..). yesterday I considered psychology, but I'm not sure..I also loove psychiatry, but hate medicine -.-U
 
v.shadow said:
mm...I'm already in my last year of school and have no idea what I'm gonna do (I change my mind every few days..). yesterday I considered psychology, but I'm not sure..I also loove psychiatry, but hate medicine -.-U
Click to expand...



I'm the same on that haha. I wanna be a psychiatrist but the thought of having to go through advance med school disturbs me because I do not wish to cut people up and such.
 
Pristinegirl said:
I'm the same on that haha. I wanna be a psychiatrist but the thought of having to go through advance med school disturbs me because I do not wish to cut people up and such.
Click to expand...

yeah, that's really disgusting (and I'm a clean freak, so no way!). I also like veterinary, but I know I can't deal with it..
 
My hope is that one day I will know myself well to the point, have developed my natural skills and practiced my less-innate skills to the point that I will finally find/discover/determine/decide/experience my passion. I hope everything will fall into place then, and I'll earn money for doing what I love :m015: and am excited and totally passionate about.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top