Double J Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I've realized that I am not really a people person. I can fake it here and there, but sooner or later, I retreat to recharge my batteries. I can only spend so many hours with people before feeling completely drained. Which jobs cater to those who are introverted and/or quiet? I am not that great with numbers, so that leaves Accounting out. I love to write, though. I majored in marketing, and although it involves some writing (collateral, ads, etc.), things like sales and trade shows are things I want to avoid. I've also been looking at industries that are slower paced, and the only one that seems to pop to mind is Education/Academia. Does anyone know any others? Are any of you guys also introverts and find it hard to deal with the tight deadlines/rapid pace of the business world? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cognitive_Canine Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Anything in a lab. At least, our departments lab and equipment guys are very anti-social and keep to themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightLily Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 You could do something in Biology and then do research. One thing you might find interesting in zoology. You can do work in the field which can be pretty fun. Also, archeology or anthropology. Those are both good for somebody who enjoys writing. If you went into archeology you would probably have to devote some time to studying languages. History/Philosophy/Theology are all good for a writer. A large number of philosophy or politics majors go into law though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COtuner Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 software and test engineering appears to attract a large number of introverts judging from my employers. Also software configuration management Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelope13 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Education/Academia All academic places I have been to so far, involve an immense amount of interactions with other people, be it a weekly lab meetings, presentations for your department, outside meetings/ symposia etc. Most projects in life sciences are highly collaborative these days, so that you constantly have to talk/ email with people to exchange ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hers Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I read an article once that listed jobs for introverted people & for extroverted people. I'm more introvert than extrovert & my sister is very extroverted. I looked up our jobs (I'm a pet sitter/former editor & she's a teacher). Pet sitter was under introverted, as was editor. Teacher was under extroverted. I also looked up some of my friends' jobs & found that the list was pretty accurate, based on how I identified their personalities. I'll try to find the list & post it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FortunateOne Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 link removed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuzieQQ Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Which jobs cater to those who are introverted and/or quiet? I am not that great with numbers, so that leaves Accounting out. I love to write, though. I consider myself to be an introvert. That is one reason why I chose to be an accountant. But the reality is, as an Accountant or most any other job out there you are going to have to deal with people to some extent - either other people that your work with or customers or clients. I soon realized I was never going to get anywhere at work keeping to myself. I forced myself to speak up in meetings and give presentations. You eventually get used to it. The more you interact with people the easier it gets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karvala Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 You eventually get used to it. The more you interact with people the easier it gets. Exactly, and this is an important point. I'm highly introvert by nature, and love nothing more than an evening at home by myself. Socialising and dealing with people at work did not come naturally to me, but as penepole13 says, in academia it's simply unavoidable if you want to get anything done, and eventually it becomes easier. I won't say you get used to it; I still opt to do things by myself wherever possible, and I loathe conferences, and I'm very bad at networking, but it's possible to improve enough, and develop suitable strategies, that it's not a significant handicap. You'll feel better for it as well, because you're achieving something every day you push yourself that far. Only by stepping outside the boundaries of your comfort zone can you ever hope to extend them. Rather than look for the easy quiet life, and regret it in 30 years time, choose a job that you really want to do, and step up to the fight against your shyness as much as you need to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeStrongBeHappy Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Librarian and computer programming. there are also online career tests you can take that gauge your introversion/extroversion and recommend careers based on that plus your other interests identified in the test. Most career centers at universities have these tests for free, or you can search for them online for free or a small fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAYAAN Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I consider myself to be an introvert too. I agree with some posters here. You can't absolutely remain silent n just be in your own world on any job, but some professions might be better than others at accommodating less talking people - pharmacist (unless you counsel patients, which is now mandatory by law in CA), researcher, computer programmer, or several engineering branches, would be some of those professions, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejigsup Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I'm an uber extrovert and a teacher. Most of us teachers are very social people. We never understand why people don't say "hi!" in the hall or want to stop and gab. I never pass up an opportunity to interact with people, so I don't know what it is like to be shy or an introvert. My brother does, though. He is an extreme introvert, and he could never teach or interact with others well! He used to be a machinist, but he is retired now. He always wanted to be a preacher, but he couldn't handle the social aspect of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelope13 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Some jobs are okay with less talking people - pharmacist (unless you counsel patients, which is now mandatory by law in CA), researcher, computer programmer, or several engineering branches, would be some of those professions, I think. The times that a researcher (regardless of field) is sitting for days/ weeks all by himself in a corner of a lab without ever having to talk to someone are long over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAYAAN Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 The times that a researcher (regardless of field) is sitting for days/ weeks all by himself in a corner of a lab without ever having to talk to someone are long over. Yes, I agree with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon lady Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I'm quite the introvert and I've looked up jobs for introverts before. They all seem to point to the sciences, computers or mathematical areas. What happens if the introvert in question is more of a humanities/social sciences buff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cognitive_Canine Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I'm quite the introvert and I've looked up jobs for introverts before. They all seem to point to the sciences, computers or mathematical areas. What happens if the introvert in question is more of a humanities/social sciences buff? Salinger is probably the biggest introvert I know of. He is a writer (catcher in the rye, franny and zooey) and he's pretty much a hermit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laisla Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Air Traffic Control Animal-Related Occupations Veterinarian Vet assistant, technician, and technologist Animal Keeper (zoos, aquariums, amusement parks, pet shops) Animal Breeder/Fish Farmer Guide Dog Instructor/Animal Trainer Zoologist Archeology-related Careers Author Architecture Law & Law Enforcement Attorneys (non-trial) Body Guards (will need to call on their assertive skills from time to time) Security personnel, Investagors Crime Lab Techologists Engineering & Technologies Information Technology (IT) Careers Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Aeronautical Engineering Biomechanical Engineering Prosthetic Engineering Other Fine Arts, Grapics Arts Healthcare Dentistry and Dental Lab Careers (tremendous detail work) Other medical/healthcare jobs that require attention to detail and concentration - Surgery is one. Inventors & Inventions Maintenance, Repair and Construction Careers Mathematics & Statistics Planning Research & Development Grant Writing City Planning Landscape Architecture - Parks, college campuses, industrial complexes Sciences Aerospace Medicine Biomedical Research Experimental Psychology Geography/Map and Chart Makers - Star Charts Laboratory work in any science source: link removed just google it Many other science-related jobs, including technicians and technologists Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon lady Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I guess that's why I gravitate towards wanting to work with animals! Large doses of people just exhaust me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lost1607307474 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 The uncomfortable fact is that these days almost all fields of work involve public relations and working with people. But a plus side to this is that you get to practice your people skills if you are a shy person! I really encourage shy people to actually take themselves out of their comfort zones when looking for jobs etc. That being said, how about something like publishing or editing? You said you like writing. I worked editing books during university and it was something that involved very little contact with people, I did on my own, and I got to read heaps of books! Academia is a great option, but education is an area where you have to deal with people ALL the time and have great people skills/ public speaking skills. (I'm currently studying high school education.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c579j Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I just posted something very similar. I'm glad there are other people who feel the same way I feel. I'm really interested in arts education, but most of the work I've had requires me to lead a class, plan, etc. I experienced a lot of weird anxiety with these jobs. I know I am capable of doing them, but found myself really trying to be social and interact with the students and teachers. I just do not have a lot to talk about sometimes. I definitely did learn how to give presentations, think up of activities off the top of my head, and project my voice, but know now that it is not something I enjoy. (Besides turning red when all eyeballs are on me) The main problem is learning to make relationships with co-workers. I feel other people can naturally do it. In a day or two they are out to lunch or hanging out. What about the quiet people out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lost1607307474 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Unfortunately, as I said, most work these days involves a lot of PR and people skills. You can't get out of learning to make relationships with co-workers, and there are very few jobs that don't require working with co-workers. The best thing you can do is just work on your confidence and gradually build up a friendship with people. Not worry if others are out lunching within 2 days, but just focus on yourself and gradually building up your own social skills. It's fine if you're uncomfortable doing teaching or education, as it is very people-oriented and you have to have a lot of confidence and people skills. But even for other jobs that are less people-oriented, you still have to work on taking yourself out of your comfort zone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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