5 INTP Careers to Avoid and 5 to Pursue

As an INTP, you're known for your thirst for knowledge and love for complex problems. But when it comes to the professional world, not all careers are built with your unique blueprint in mind. You enjoy intellectual challenges and thrive in environments that allow you to use your creativity and independent thinking. But you may struggle in careers that require a lot of social interaction, strict rule-following or routine tasks.

If you're an INTP looking for your next career move, it's important to know which jobs to avoid and which ones to pursue. In this article, we'll explore five careers that may not align with your personality type and suggest five alternative careers that could be a better fit.

5 Careers INTPs Should Avoid

1. Public Relations Officer

As an INTP, you may struggle with the constant need to engage in social interactions and maintain relationships for this type of role. Public relations officers are responsible for managing the public image and reputation of a company or client by creating and maintaining positive relationships with the media and public. This requires strong communication skills, extroversion and a personable demeanor – qualities that may not come naturally to an INTP.

2. Sales Representative

Similar to public relations officers, sales representatives also need strong communication skills and an outgoing personality. The primary goal of this role is to sell products or services to clients through building relationships and making persuasive pitches. As an INTP, you may find it difficult to constantly engage in small talk and convince others to buy something they may not necessarily need.

3. Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers are responsible for recruiting, hiring, training and managing employees within a company. This role requires strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, as well as the ability to handle employee conflicts and other sensitive issues. As an INTP, you may find it challenging to deal with the emotional aspect of this role and may struggle with enforcing policies and procedures that go against your independent thinking.

4. Accountant

Accounting is all about the details – and for an INTP, who thrives on conceptual thinking, this can be akin to mental imprisonment. The meticulous nature of balancing books and the repetitive tasks involved can turn your creative mind into a restless prisoner. While you can appreciate the logic in numbers, the lack of abstract thinking can leave you feeling unfulfilled in this career.

5. Administrative Assistant

As an INTP, you're a big-picture thinker who enjoys tackling complex problems. In contrast, administrative assistants typically handle day-to-day tasks and often have to follow strict guidelines and procedures. This job may not offer enough intellectual stimulation or room for creativity, making it a less-than-ideal career choice for an INTP.

5 Careers INTPs Should Pursue

1. Software Developer

As an INTP, you have a natural aptitude for problem-solving and enjoy working with complex systems. A career as a software developer would allow you to use your analytical skills and creativity to develop innovative programs and applications. This field also offers a high level of autonomy, allowing INTPs to work independently without constant social interaction.

2. Research Scientist

With your love for learning and desire to understand the world around you, a career as a research scientist may be an ideal fit for an INTP. This role requires critical thinking skills, a curious mind, and the ability to work independently. As a research scientist, you could delve into complex problems and find innovative solutions without having to deal with constant social interaction.

3. Graphic Designer

Graphic design combines both creativity and technology – two areas where INTPs excel. This career allows you to use your imagination while also utilizing technical skills in design software. As an INTP, you may enjoy the challenge of designing visually appealing and functional products without having to constantly engage in social interactions.

4. Strategic Planner

Strategic planning allows you to utilize your natural ability to see the big picture and anticipate future trends. In this role, you're the architect of a company's roadmap, considering all the variables and potential outcomes. It's a role that demands creativity and foresight, and for an INTP, it's as engaging as a game of three-dimensional chess.

5. Forensic Analyst

Forensic analysis is a career where your attention to detail and love for solving puzzles converge. Each case is a new mystery to unravel through evidence and deduction. Your ability to think outside the box makes you a natural in this field while your independence and self-motivation allow you to work on your own terms. As an INTP, you'll find the intellectual challenge of forensic analysis highly satisfying.

Conclusion

As an INTP, it's important to choose a career that aligns with your natural strengths and interests. While there are certain careers that may not be suitable for this personality type, there are plenty of options that allow INTPs to thrive. Consider exploring careers that involve problem-solving, creativity, and independent work to find a fulfilling and successful career path.

Remember, no one knows you better than yourself – trust your instincts in finding the right fit for you.  And if you're still pondering the right path, consider taking Truity's career personality profiler tests to help illuminate the way.