Confucius said, “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” What this wise-thinker was encouraging job seekers to do is be aware of what makes them happy and select jobs that are rich in these happiness-inducing elements. For individuals who are ISFPs -- one of the 16 personality categories on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator instrument -- quiet contemplation and emotional reflection produce happiness. These individuals like to throw themselves into causes they believe in and they easily become passionate about jobs. If you are this type of person, carefully select your occupation to ensure that the job you pick fits your emotional wants and needs.
If you appreciate the opportunity to engage in focused reflection on academic topics or enjoy the opportunity to explore emotions through the reading of literature -- as ISFPs do -- you are ideally suited to spend your working life in the stacks. To join the ranks of librarians, you must hold a master's degree. For your work in this capacity, you can expect a median income of $54,500 annually as of 2010, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
The natural sensitivity and patience that ISFPs demonstrate make them ideal candidates for work with children. Becoming a childcare worker is a wise choice if you have no schooling beyond high school, because most employers require no post-graduate training. You will have to accept a low salary, however, as the median income for this job was $19,300 as of 2010, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
ISFPs are good at working with others and developing creative solutions to problems. These two traits make them great candidates for careers in forestry. As foresters, they have the opportunity to work with others to preserve the natural wonders of forested land where they are employed. They also are called upon to solve the major problems facing forests. To enter this profession, you must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree. You can expect to earn a median income of $57,420 per year as of 2010 according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
The abilities of ISFPs to sense emotions and be empathetic are assets if you want to enter the field of psychology. With these skills, they can guide patients through trying times and help them create workable solutions for themselves. To become a psychologist, you will need to put in your time in at school, earning a minimum of a master's degree, and, often, a doctoral degree. Workers in this field earned an average of $68,640 annually as of 2010, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
- MyersBriggs.org: MBTI Basics
- Wayne State College: Career Planning: Personality & Careers: ISFP
- Ball State University: What Can I Do With My Personality Type? ISFP Careers and Majors
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Librarian
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Conservation Scientists and Foresters
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Childcare Workers
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Psychologist
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