Best Careers for INTPsINTP Careers

In this article we’ll outline the best and worst career options for the INTP personality type, who are level-headed and thoughtful.

Which careers are the best fits?  Which are the worst fits? If you have tested as an “INTP”, then we hope you find the below information useful.

Overview of the INTP (The Architect)

Level-headed and ready to troubleshoot, the INTP prefers tackling professional pursuits independently, or with a small team of like-minded individuals. When they develop an interest in a topic, they approach their understanding through a holistic framework, which often integrates into other subjects.

The INTP personality is one of the “16 personality types” that we see in several different models based on the work of Carl Jung.  These models include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Keirsey Temperament Sorter, among others. It represents an individual who is Introverted (I), iNtuitive (N), Thinking (T) and Perceiving (P). This indicates that they are a person who is energized by spending time alone, who focuses on ideas and concepts rather than facts and details, who makes decisions based on logic and reason, and who prefers to be spontaneous and flexible opposed to planned and organized.

The INTP is often referred to as “the Architect”, “the Autodidact” or “the Thinker” because they show an intuitive understanding of complexed systems. Individuals in this personality type most commonly favor thinking, opposed to feeling. INTPs are typically philosophical innovators, analytical observers and seek understanding. They are often deeply absorbed in thought and as a result, may appear oblivious to the world around them. INTPs are typically very intelligent and thoughtful. They are usually very logical and can sometimes have difficulty in (or dislike for) social situations.

Career Considerations

Many of an INTPs strengths lay in their intelligence and thoughtfulness. At work, they bring key characteristics such as:

  • Emotional stability. INTPs are very good at remaining emotionally neutral and detached from their feelings.
  • Self-teaching. Due to their desire to explore, understand and learn, INTPs are excellent self-starters and teach themselves new skills and knowledge.
  • Tolerance. INTPs are detached and collects and as a result, they are tolerant of chaos and last-minute changes.
  • When it comes to problem solving, INTPs are very quick to propose suggestions and alternatives.

Best Careers for INTPs

INTPs believe that the world is designed to be understood and explored. Their creativity, innovation and desire to experiment means that many INTPs are found in computer and IT careers. In fact, due to their introverted nature, many INTPs report that they actually understand (and perhaps prefer) computers to people!

Leading on from this, INTPs are shy and reserved. They can be aloof and largely prefer non sociable work environments. They may succeed as a freelance copywriters, graphic designers, small business owners or writers, where they can limit their social interactions, work independently and be creative.

INTPs may also gravitate towards scientific careers. In these careers, they can focus on complex, abstract ideas and on understanding the world better through experimentation. Pathologists, statisticians, epidemiologist and microbiologists are a few careers that an INTP may thrive in.

Worst Careers for INTPs

INTPs much prefer to spend time alone. They may struggle communicating emotional needs, mingling with people and setting boundaries. As a result, INTPs should avoid sociable careers, such as a sales representative, cosmetologist or teacher, that require high levels of social interaction.

Similarly, INTPs struggle with emotional awareness, and therefore may want to avoid careers in corrections or rehabilitation. They also struggle with highly stressful situations. They especially struggle with highly stressful situations that require emotional awareness and therefore should steer clear of nursing careers!

Impact of the Identity Modifier on Career & Work life

As with all of the 16 personality types, INTP’s will sit somewhere along the identity scale, which ranges from assertive to turbulent. This scale indicates how confident a person is in their own abilities and decisions and it triggers the way in which each type reacts to things.

INTP-A and INTP-T will express their shared features in different ways. Let’s take a look!

INTP-A

All assertive types tend to be self-confident and self-assured… and assertive INTPs are no different. INTP-As are confident in their choices, and due to this, they tend to be consistent and less influenced by others. At work, this means they will seek careers where they can work very independently and create a lot of distance between themselves and others.

INTP-T

Turbulent INTPs are far less consistent than their assertive cousins. It is common for them to change their goals often, However, this makes these types flexible problem solvers! Unlike INTP-As, INTP-Ts are influenced by the opinion and approval of others. Due to this, they are more accessible and can thrive in less independent careers than INTP-As.

Best INTP Career Matches:

Career Guide Category
App Developer Computers & IT
Computer Networking (Network architects) Computers & IT
Computer Programmer Computers & IT
Copywriter Marketing & Sales
Cybersecurity Computers & IT
Epidemiologist Science & Tech
Game Developer Computers & IT
Graphic Designer Marketing & Sales
Microbiologist Science & Tech
Pathologist Science & Tech
Software Developer Computers & IT
Software QA Computers & IT
Statistician Science & Tech
Systems Analyst Computers & IT
Web Developer Computers & IT
Writer Arts & Humanities

Type:  [Introverted – Intuitive – Thinking – Perceiving]

Keirsey Temperament group:  Rationals (NT)

INTP Jungian cognitive functions stack:

  1. Introverted Thinking (Ti)
  2. Extraverted Intuition (Ne)
  3. Introverted Sensing (Si)
  4. Extraverted Feeling (Fe)