Type & Career Choice

[applejacks]

Hey all!

I'm curious to know- does your career energize or drain you? Does it affect you and your significant other?

In my previous career, I was writing IT manuals at home all day by myself, where minutes felt like an eternity! It was AWFUL for an ENFx like me that lives and breathes for other people. I've since left that and started teaching music, which injects energy back into my life, and allows for me to use metaphors about dinosaurs and lasers when talking to kids. But it's part time, which leaves me alone for a good portion of the day.

My husband is as Introverted as they come, but as a dentist, he deals with people all day (when he'd much rather just focus on the teeth). He's EXHAUSTED when he gets home and needs quiet/alone time, which will always be a source of disappointment and frustration for me, as I want nothing more than together time and affection at the end of the day.

Knowledge about types has been a huge help in understanding our differences and needs. We've managed to keep a sense of humor about ourselves and social requirements, but we are who we are.

What's your experience?

[DaftPunk]

I don't have a career yet but i am studying law and work once a week for a lawyer but more as secretary than a paralegal. I'd say my study energizes me more than it drains me. I really like the systematic way of workin and researching stuff. I also like that my study is tangible and not to abstract and most stuff you read in the newspaper relates somehow to law. I really like it to operate in a malleable system. It also supports my interests in politics.

I am for sure not a very industrious student nevertheless i think it affected my last relationship more in a bad way because she wasn't interested at all in my studies and also not in other subjects like politics, business or history that interest me too.
I think for me it would be best to be together with someone who shares at least some interests with me.

[ClownsandEntropy]

Also not working but studying commerce at the moment. I plan to be an actuary, because I have the studious-ness to work and research and write reports about those kinds of things, without the need to be constantly alert and become a shrewd businessman Gordon Gecko style.

I reckon know about types would help a lot in figuring out what you like and dislike about job, because the types of information you need to process (affected by IEs) and the kind of situation which you need to work in (relevant to temperament) would help you adjust to what fits best.

[DaftPunk]

Also not working but studying commerce at the moment. I plan to be an actuary, because I have the studious-ness to work and research and write reports about those kinds of things, without the need to be constantly alert and become a shrewd businessman Gordon Gecko style.

I reckon know about types would help a lot in figuring out what you like and dislike about job, because the types of information you need to process (affected by IEs) and the kind of situation which you need to work in (relevant to temperament) would help you adjust to what fits best.

(re)assurance actuary?

[ClownsandEntropy]

(re)assurance actuary?

First-year actuarial studies- so I don't know. It seems the dream for commerce kids is to make it into consulting, so I would be the guy in the background who makes spreadsheets and crunches numbers, but I'll need more experience to see if there's any field which excites me before I can say.

[Suz]

As a young physician (still in training), my work is, in some ways, a perfect fit for me. But in other ways, can be a huge drain...

Perfect fit because:
--interact with people ALL day, TEAMWORK.
--doing a service for people -- its makes it all worth it.. it's a huge motivator for me.
--get to solve intricate problems and think about things in many different ways
--lifelong learning
--work is fun!

Can be a drain in these ways:
--interacting with people all day also inevitably involves unpleasant interactions at times
--sleep deprivation (in part fueled by the "service to people" issue)
--needing to juggle lots and lots of detail.
--needing to study in nonexistent time.
--no time for pursuit of multiple other interests, especially the slightly more time consuming ones or interests occuring at a set time (b/c of often unpredictable schedule), such as a class.
--not enough time to spend with non-medical friends
--mean or intimidating bosses
--fear of not meeting expectations, fear of missing something important (also contributes to my long working hours)

I'm hopeful that as I advance in my career, some of these things will become less of an issue.

[FoxOnStilts]

Depends on the day. Sometimes I'm energized and sometimes I'm drained no matter what position I'm in.

[InvisibleJim]

My job is perfect. I get to sit in my office and be narky to people as long as $ appear in sufficient quantity. Just like this forum.

[DirectorAbbie]

My packaging/sorting/shipping job energized me.
Working with kids usually drains me, but if there's only one or two and they're intelligent/curious it can energize me.
I had a part-time office-type job once. I liked alphabetizing, but answering the phone wasn't fun. I've never liked phones.

[Beautiful sky]

I have a very introverted fit job which is bookkeeping in my own office, away from people and any external contact, that means no Internet. The only tough part is not working with people.

[Pa3s]

I haven't actually worked yet, since I'm still studying (city planning). But I have had a four-week internship in a local municipality. I think the job fits my personality well. I can do my tasks by myself but still work cooperative in a team of several different specialists. I don't mind presenting projects to groups of people and I think that these meetings and presentations could make the job less monotonous. It's also very versatile and has a cross-sectional character which includes many societal, political and technical fields which are interesting to me. I could also imagine to take up research and explore a certain subject out of the whole spectrum. How much a job energizes or drains me mostly depends on the specific situation, but there's a good chance that I'll be content with it.

[ClownsandEntropy]

I was thinking of switching to actuarial science as well. I'm several years out of college, so doing it as a career change to get back in the business world. My Bachelor's degree is in Finance.

My current job I love. It's unrelated to my major, Programming. But the position I have, I design touch-screen systems for point-of-sale transactions. The touch-screen monitors that you see in restaurants, bars, retail stores, pizza places, etc., I design those. It's actually really cool.

It involves taking a menu, thinking through all the choice sets logically...Once you get the swing of it, it's pretty fun. I worked 35 hours the past 3 days, usually averaging about 60 per week right now, and I might hit 65 this week, about to go into work soon on today Saturday. It's not the highest-paying job in the world either, but I just genuinely enjoy the work and would rather be Programming as opposed to hanging out with people I don't like, or getting drunk, etc. It's nice right now to be working a lot in my 20s without responsibilities yet of a family or kids. I still have time to go to the gym, read, study for actuarial exams, etc., if I manage my time well.

Wow, that sounds really cool! I'm thinking about doing some extra subjects in programming at the moment because I'm worried I won't have the "business acumen" or adequate "analytical thinking" to do my job well, while I'm already leaning how to program so it seems easier to get good experience. That way I could always have an extra degree in handy.

Glad to hear that your LSE needs are being fulfilled by having lots of work (both at work and outside of) .

[fen]

@William -- Your job sounds fun as hell.
I love that kinda stuff. It's like a puzzle.

[FDG]

I work at a university. I have to do research, teaching, and some admin work. We also consult for some companies.

I like the teaching in terms of *actually* going to the lecture and teaching the content. I like the freedom I have in explaining the concepts, deciding when and where to go in-depth, etc. I'm however not a fan of getting *ready* for the teaching, meaning reading long-ass books with lots of text and little content, and preparing powerpoint presentations.
Research I also generally like, it can get boring if I don't have anyone to talk about it, but I usually harass a colleague or my girlfriend and they'll be forced to listen to me in exchange for a coffee or beer. I like it when I can be innovative and find elegant conceptual solutions, do not truly like all the "fitting in a framework" type of work, but it's a requirement.

Admin work I don't really enjoy, I'm really afraid of making mistakes so I require a very long time to complete any kind of admin work.

Consulting work is - in comparison to everything else - very very easy, just doing a bit of statistical analysis in Excel. However, I look relatively young thus people don't take me that seriously...but I wouldn't trade off that with looking much older

Overall, it would be hard to find a better fit, especially because I can set my own hours and go running in the woods for 2 hours in the morning or tele-work from a picnic table in the wineyards if I wish to spend time in the nature...

[Absurd]

I do research when I don't know what I am doing as well, FDG.

[FDG]

I do research when I don't know what I am doing as well, FDG.

So you always do research?

[Absurd]

Yeah. Take it from William, FDG. He's a man of the world and he knows what sad shape the world is in.

[Absurd]

Lul, William, clicked "liek."

Too easy.

[Absurd]

Perhaps I should make you work harder for your likes?

I want to see walruses doing tricks for food. Or something just absurd.

You're absurd enough so don't sweat it.

[Absurd]

My mission here is complete. I have been dubbed 'absurd' by Absurd, the man himself. I will bear this title with honor!

While you're at it, try JWHW.

[Absurd]

I updated my username just for you, Absurd. Because I'm "absurd enough" for the next 3 weeks.

"Because" irrationality can't be counted.

I would rather see you pimping a gay club rather than doing what you're doing, but thanks, always something new

[Absurd]

[malna]

You're scaring away the well-adjusted people.
Keep up the good work.

[Absurd]

...

I don't think you even know what you're posting, William.

[malna]

We have well-adjusted people on the forum?

See?

[Absurd]

Who is William? This is just absurd.

A cunt.

Besides, I thought you're way too mature for having fun as you put it.

With all due respect, it's a bit complex, this situation. I don't want you to get hanged once again for "defending" me, so it is better you let me conduct my affairs all by myself.

Do we have a deal? You're after finance, so you're well equipped to appreciate a good business. I'm just after lowly administration. All in all, I'm doing you a favour.

[Absurd]

Now now. Is that how well-adjusted people speak?

Adjusted to what? And who said I am adjusted to anything on here?

Try being more condescending next time.

[Absurd]

Now, if every one would be so cooperative like you, William, there would be no "why are you defending him?" cry-cry nonsense vulture crap showing their heads in every thread and no third party would be dragged into anything.

[applejacks]

This is better than TV.

*popcorn crunching*

[Absurd]

Only gay people watch TV.

[Suz]

I have a very introverted fit job which is bookkeeping in my own office, away from people and any external contact, that means no Internet. The only tough part is not working with people.

My sister (self-typing EII) has a similar set-up, doing software engineering, and is throwing around the idea of quitting her decent-paying job and becoming a masseuse.

the reason? Not enough people contact.

I keep telling her... people contact can be overrated. Especially when you have a steady income coming in, why deal with all the complications of people contact?

[Suz]

Absurd are you talking to yourself now?

[Pa3s]

I keep telling her... people contact can be overrated.

Yeah, why not take care of that in your free time? It can also be quite strenuous, mostly for introverts I suppose.
I worked on a larger project lately, together with one other person. Because a friend had access to a room in the college, we (4 people) met almost every day over the course of months. This was quite unusual, since I didn't even go to the college from monday to friday before. However, I needed the evenings strictly for myself. Don't get me wrong, I had a good laugh there and I enjoyed the company of the others, but it was also exhausting. Going to a bar after those days would have been too much.

[DaftPunk]

My sister (self-typing EII) has a similar set-up, doing software engineering, and is throwing around the idea of quitting her decent-paying job and becoming a masseuse.

the reason? Not enough people contact.

I keep telling her... people contact can be overrated. Especially when you have a steady income coming in, why deal with all the complications of people contact?

I also want some people contact at work actually it's very important for me so I can understand your sister. Masseur would be to close people contact for me though.

[malna]

Absurd are you talking to yourself now?

As a matter of fact, he was; that's the sad story behind the past scene accompanying our popcorn. @Absurd, you do realize William takes things at face value(?) Makes me wonder, why talking to him the way you did. Feel free to ignore this, none of my business.

people contact can be overrated

Indeed.
I myself tend to minimize it, but a fellow EII who studied astronomy told me once that every time after classes she used to take a roundabout way home just to walk through the shopping centre in order to get her share of the people experience.

[Suz]

Yeah, why not take care of that in your free time? It can also be quite strenuous, mostly for introverts I suppose.
I worked on a larger project lately, together with one other person. Because a friend had access to a room in the college, we (4 people) met almost every day over the course of months. This was quite unusual, since I didn't even go to the college from monday to friday before. However, I needed the evenings strictly for myself. Don't get me wrong, I had a good laugh there and I enjoyed the company of the others, but it was also exhausting. Going to a bar after those days would have been too much.

That's EXACTLY what i told her...verbatim! I dont think she's really serious about quitting her profession though, but my mom takes it for face value and vents to me about it.

Oh, and i hear you about the evening "me time". I'm actually the same way when i have a heavy people-contact set up, like i do now.

[applejacks]

A friend once told me your job can offer one of three essential things-

1) Good Pay
2) Opportunity for career advancement
3) Fulfillment / Satisfaction (to include optimal socialization, or lack thereof)

If you have two of the three, you're doing very well, and should utilize your free time to gain the missing third item.

Usually, a job is a toss up between #1 and #3, but not always.

[DaftPunk]

A friend once told me your job can offer one of three essential things-

1) Good Pay
2) Opportunity for career advancement
3) Fulfillment / Satisfaction (to include optimal socialization, or lack thereof)

What your friend said is stupid

If you have two of the three, you're doing very well, and should utilize your free time to gain the missing third item.

Usually, a job is a toss up between #1 and #3, but not always.

What you say seams more reasonable but depends what you concern a good pay

[Park]

I was thinking of switching to actuarial science as well. I'm several years out of college, so doing it as a career change to get back in the business world. My Bachelor's degree is in Finance.

My current job I love. It's unrelated to my major, Programming. But the position I have, I design touch-screen systems for point-of-sale transactions. The touch-screen monitors that you see in restaurants, bars, retail stores, pizza places, etc., I design those. It's actually really cool.

It involves taking a menu, thinking through all the choice sets logically - ie. do you want the burger to have a meat temperature, rare, medium, well done, etc., can you add extra toppings, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, etc., how much do you want to charge for those options, do you want hitting this button to prompt a button for a side choice or drink choice, etc. Can you do mixed specialty pizzas, half Hawaiian, half BBQ? Do you charge the more expensive half? How do you charge your topping prices? Do you round up to the nearest topping? Do you do 1/2 toppings or 1/4 toppings? 1/3 toppings? Then designing the menu for them in a logical way that 'makes sense' with what they want. Often-times I'm doing a menu-review with a chef or someone not very business-savvy (just great at making the food), so they might not be able to explain exactly what they need, and I have to communicate effectively.

Once you get the swing of it, it's pretty fun. I worked 35 hours the past 3 days, usually averaging about 60 per week right now, and I might hit 65 this week, about to go into work soon on today Saturday. It's not the highest-paying job in the world either, but I just genuinely enjoy the work and would rather be Programming as opposed to hanging out with people I don't like, or getting drunk, etc. It's nice right now to be working a lot in my 20s without responsibilities yet of a family or kids. I still have time to go to the gym, read, study for actuarial exams, etc., if I manage my time well.

Setting up the business/application logic is fairly easy for those kinds of applications. What do you use for the UIs? jQuery? knockout?

[Park]

A friend once told me your job can offer one of three essential things-

1) Good Pay
2) Opportunity for career advancement
3) Fulfillment / Satisfaction (to include optimal socialization, or lack thereof)

If you have two of the three, you're doing very well, and should utilize your free time to gain the missing third item.

Usually, a job is a toss up between #1 and #3, but not always.

http://www.the16types.info/vbulletin...ose-your-niche

Your contribution would be appreciated.