According to the Myers & Briggs Foundation, a foundation dedicated to the understanding of different personalities, introverts enjoy working alone and are re-energized by their own thoughts.
Keeping this in mind, we have provided a list of six career opportunities where introverts can excel.
Susan Cain, author of "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking," agrees that these six careers could be good choices for introverted personalities.
"Many of these recommended professions are good for introverts because they call for focus, concentration, expertise, and attention to detail," says Cain.
If working in a team of one sounds rejuvenating to you, read on for our list of six careers that could be a good fit for your introverted personality.
Career #1 - Accountant
Do you like the idea of working more with numbers than spending time
conversing with co-workers and clients? A career as an accountant could
be a good fit for you. Introvert-friendly factors: While every career requires some human interaction, a large portion of an accountant's job can be done on a computer. In fact, a common workday could include duties like examining financial statements, handling taxes, and organizing financial records for firms and clients, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Mary Jeanne Vincent, a California-based career expert and strategist with over 15 years of experience, agrees that this career could be a good match for introverted personalities.
"This is a good career for introverts, because that's what most accountants are," says Vincent. "They have the opportunity to be behind closed doors, go at their own pace, and not be interrupted."
Education options: Ready to prepare for this introvert-friendly career? According to the Department of Labor, most accountants are required to have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. But keep in mind that some employers prefer candidates with a master's degree in accounting or in business administration with an accounting concentration.
Career #2 - Graphic Designer
Do you want to pursue a career that allows you to express yourself creatively - but not so much verbally? Consider an introspective career as a graphic designer.
Introvert-friendly factors: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, graphic designers could create and design logos for companies either by hand or by using computer software, choose colors and styles for websites, or develop layouts for advertisements and magazines.
And while a graphic designer will need to interact with people at times, there are still some introvert-friendly features to this gig. In fact, graphic designers could enjoy the opportunity to work independently on their projects.
"Graphic designers tend to work more one-on-one," notes Vincent. "They might meet with a client, but then go and do the work by themselves."
Education options: A bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field is usually required, says the Department of Labor. And if you have a bachelor's degree in another field, you could look into technical training in graphic design to meet most employers' requirements.
Career #3 - Medical Records and Health Information Technician
Have an interest in the health field, but prefer not to interact
face-to-face with patients on a daily basis? A medical records and
health information technician could be a good health care career choice
for you. Introvert-friendly factors: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, medical records and health information technicians could spend a majority of the time behind a computer while reviewing patient records, maintaining databases, and analyzing data.
This could be welcoming news to an introvert who wants to limit face time with people.
"A medical records career is really about the records, not about the people," says Vincent. With more of a focus on information, it doesn't require a lot of interaction with people, she adds.
Education options: Think this career might be a good fit for your introverted personality? Medical records and health information technicians typically need a certificate in health information technology, but an associate's degree in the field is also common, according to the Department of Labor. And remember that most employers prefer to hire candidates with professional certification.
Career #4 - Financial Analyst
Do you enjoy studying the stock market and other types of
investments? A career as a financial analyst could be right up your
alley. Introvert-friendly factors: As a financial analyst, your daily responsibilities could include analyzing the performance of stocks and bonds, studying business trends, and writing financial reports, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
And while this gig does entail discussing investment recommendations with investors, introverts should be happy to know that financial analysts mainly focus on facts and figures, not people.
"Financial analysts are really focused on doing numbers, very solitary work," says Vincent. "They get to meet people at their discretion."
Education options: Financial analysts usually need a bachelor's degree in a related field like finance, accounting, business administration, or economics, according to the Department of Labor. And note that employers often require a master's degree in business administration or finance.
Career #5 - Computer Programmer
Love working on computers or learning about software programs in your
spare time? Consider pursuing a career as a computer programmer. Introvert-friendly factors: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, typical duties include writing code for software programs and fixing any errors that occur in these programs. Therefore, you will likely spend most of your workday behind a computer screen.
And listen up, introverts: you might even be able to write code from home independently. Since writing codes can be done from any computer, many programmers choose to telecommute, says the Department.
"Computer programmers puzzle things out behind the scenes," says Vincent. "Typically, they don't have to puzzle it out with a lot of people. They might work in teams, but do a lot of the work independently."
Education options: Interested in pursuing this introvert-friendly techie career? The Department of Labor says that most computer programmers earn a bachelor's degree, but some employers will hire candidates with an associate's degree. Look into getting a degree in computer science or a related field.
Career #6 - Technical Writer
Do you want to pursue a writing career that will allow you to be
alone with your ideas and thoughts? Consider pursuing a career as a
technical writer. Introvert-friendly factors: Technical writers could "produce instruction manuals and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily," according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
And although technical writers may work as part of a team, some of their work can be done without much verbal communication. In fact, the Department of Labor says that these writers may conduct research through personal observation, library, and Internet research.
Vincent agrees that it is more of a solo career.
"Technical writers only interact with people to get information they need, but then make sense of it on their own," says Vincent. "It is mostly solitary work."
Education options: Eager to pursue this introspective writing gig? The Department of Labor says that employers usually like candidates with a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or communications. In addition, knowledge in a specialized field like engineering or computer science might be helpful.
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