What Are Some of the Best Career Choices for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / What Are Some of the Best Career Choices for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer What Are Some of the Best Career Choices for Introverts? It’s human nature to want to divide up the people of the world into categories or types, and one of the most common ways to do so is by grouping people according to their comfort level in social situations. Are you an extrovert or an introvert? What Does It Mean to Be Extroverted? Extroverts, or anyone who considers him- or herself a “people person,” tend to succeed in public-facing jobs that let them meet lots of different people during the workday. Extroverts often become successful salespeople, restaurant servers or bartenders, event planners, life coaches or motivational speakers, cosmetologists, or tour guides. Are Introverts Just Antisocial? If the very idea of encountering new faces each day or having to speak in front of a large group of people sends you scurrying to your couch and your Netflix queue, then you probably are an introvert. Introverts aren’t necessarily shy, antisocial, or scared of socializing. In fact, it might surprise you to learn how many of the so-called “social butterflies” of your acquaintance consider themselves introverted. What does define an introvert? It has more to do with their psychic energy level. These people might require more time and space to decompress or regain their emotional equilibrium after being in the company of other people. Interactions with others often drain them. In some cases, an introvert has no problem going out in the world â€" again, it’s not synonymous with shyness â€" but afterwards seek out solitude in order to regroup. Others do steer clear of crowded places or group interactions in the first place. Introverts Make Great Attorneys Would it surprise you to learn that the majority of attorneys are introverts? According to the American Bar Association, it’s true! Remember that the pop-cultural stereotype of a lawyer â€" a poised, articulate orator who delivers passionate arguments in front of a crowded courtroom â€" isn’t the day-to-day reality of most attorneys. A lawyer is much more apt to be found researching, writing, and preparing for a case. Some areas of practice don’t involve trials at all. And since most people fall somewhere near the middle of the introvert vs. extrovert spectrum and exhibit characteristics of both, it’s quite possible for an introverted attorney to “turn on” when needed to argue a case in court, meet with clients, or hold a press conference. Become a Business (To Business) Professional The business world is another realm in which you might not expect introverts to succeed. After all, being in business requires glad-handing, charming potential customers, and smoothing the ruffled feathers of disgruntled team members, right? Well, yes and no. As in the lawyer example, plenty of introverts can rely on their social skills when necessary. But that’s less necessary than you may think, especially in the business-to-business realm. Here, introverts put to good use their skills of written communication, relationship building, and listening to what the client needs and wants. And while plenty of people develop their business acumen through working their way up the corporate ladder, there are also options to obtain an MBA online and hit the ground running after graduation. Information Technology Is for Introverts The stereotype of IT specialists is that they’re more than introverted; they are downright asocial or lacking in social skills altogether. They spend their days under fluorescent lights, subsisting on a diet of junk food and energy drinks, rarely speaking to anyone and more comfortable with HTML code than with actual conversation. Of course, not all IT professionals are secluded loners, but as with any stereotype, there’s a kernel of truth hiding somewhere in the heart of that cliché. Working with computers requires focus and independence, and doesn’t offer the same opportunities to collaborate as some other careers. Introverts who are tech-savvy or interested in the systems that power our day-to-day life would do well to look into occupations such as systems administrator, software engineer, data analyst, or web developer. Work for Your Ideal Boss: Yourself As introverts tend to be independent, a lot of them enjoy freelance jobs or working for themselves. Creative types, of which there are many in the introvert community, may choose to work as a professional blogger or copywriter, graphic designer, artist, video editor, architect, photographer, or animator. Love to be outdoors, as long as there are more trees than people? Consider becoming a forester, park ranger, landscaper, botanist, or even a small-scale farmer. Final Thoughts About Careers for Introverts If you shy away from the spotlight or just get burned out when you spend time in places that are “too peopley,” or even if you’re somewhat extroverted but find that you do your best work independently, there are still plenty of careers where you can excel. We hope this post has given you some inspiration! We’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject â€" so tell us below in the comment section if you consider yourself an introvert, if that factored into your career choice, and whether or not you’d recommend your professional field to other introverts! Author Bio - Robin is a Senior VP of Business Intelligence Development and has assisted the Fortune 1000 company with expertise in the web as a whole, including ground-zero marketing efforts that benefit both consumer and vendor. He is also contributor on  Esprittoday. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer