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INTP - Jack of all trades, master of ?

6K views 30 replies 17 participants last post by  SilverFalcon  
#1 ·
So, I've heard the saying thrown around a lot, something about how INTP's are good at a lot of things but not really amazing at anything. I have quite a long way to go I even go to high school, and an even longer way to go before I graduate it, but I can't help thinking about what I actually want to do / achieve in life. I mean, I've always liked math, science, writing and while I guess I'm good at those things, I'm not great at anything.
Anyway as though, I won't bore you as I wallow around in my own self-pity anymore, so I have a question for some of the older members I guess. What are you talented at? What things in life does your brain seem to grasp perfectly, and what subjects does your way of thinking just fit I guess?
 
#5 ·
Music. I can come up with a melody as easily as thinking, or perhaps more so. I can do it without thinking.
Also, after getting over my initial awkwardness, I've found I'm really good with people in business settings, particularly sales/customer relations. It's not a "subject" but it's a good real-world ability.

I'm majoring in sociology. I like thinking about the trends and patterns. I love psychology as well.
 
#11 ·
non answer: aside from a few divisions, many undergrad majors are interchangeable... perhaps it's less looking at the question of the major, but the structure of the school, its academic calendar and programs... 'course, there are other factors to consider (financial issues, environment, etc.) but I'd probably be exploring independent colleges (probably with alternative calendars, semester/course systems) or rationalizing moving to mass, qualifying for state residency, and heading the route of the five colleges... even if I had to choose the state school -- if only they seem open to self designed or taking dual/triple majors. Or I might be looking at more practical lines with a dual undergrad/grad degree or even heading to an overpriced tech school for more hands on training and practical skills.

--

I'd probably describe myself more as a jerk of all trades... but I gravitated towards entertainment and non profits, usually ending up in some form of event management and promotions; some benefits, but several limitations.. the ability to be the mad machiavellian prince behind the scenes, but fleshing bursting into flames in the spotlight... which made it easier for other people to take the credit.

similar situations played out in other gigs... I've got a long list of gigs, while my name's on file and there's tax records, no one clearly remembers me working there. Or if they do... I'm usually confused for someone else.. and usually not for the better. (Tip: video resumes; interviewing your bosses and colleagues for references just before your gig ends... better if you make it fairly balanced, as people in those situations tend to go with flowery sentiments... so, maintaining one non edited copy, of them also suggesting the areas of your perceived weaknesses or where you may need improvement... or the very least, those weak areas that improved, evolved during the course of your work with x/y/z)

Also, bs'ed my into more true entertainment and art gigs, I wouldn't say I had talent... but I was a decent enough mimic to fill a spot here and there.

I tried more traditional 9-5 gigs.. but suffered the usual problems with start-ups and redirection... company went under before my gig officially did.

These days.. I still fill in with a variety of odd jobs, mostly seasonal...

with age and some health issues, I've thought about returning to school... maybe heading towards applied psychology, by the way of expressive art therapies... toss in a little adaptive kinesiology, communication disorders, viticulture and aim for a resort somewhere.. or maybe even head the more practical route of social work and counseling. Or maybe even screw the practicality of it all and head back towards cognitive science to become a professional internet troll.
 
#12 ·
non answer: aside from a few divisions, many undergrad majors are interchangeable... perhaps it's less looking at the question of the major, but the structure of the school, its academic calendar and programs... 'course, there are other factors to consider (financial issues, environment, etc.) but I'd probably be exploring independent colleges (probably with alternative calendars, semester/course systems) or rationalizing moving to mass, qualifying for state residency, and heading the route of the five colleges... even if I had to choose the state school -- if only they seem open to self designed or taking dual/triple majors. Or I might be looking at more practical lines with a dual undergrad/grad degree or even heading to an overpriced tech school for more hands on training and practical skills
I'm in like 7th grade, so I don't think I need to worry too much about the details right now, I just wanted some sort of goal to work towards. Besides, I only understand about 7 words in that entire paragraph so I guess I'll worry about it in like 4 years or so.

With age and some health issues, I've thought about returning to school... maybe heading towards applied psychology, by the way of expressive art therapies... toss in a little adaptive kinesiology, communication disorders, viticulture and aim for a resort somewhere.. or maybe even head the more practical route of social work and counseling. Or maybe even screw the practicality of it all and head back towards cognitive science to become a professional internet troll.
Well, that's quite an option.
 
#16 ·
The truth is that many careers require very little actual talent and achievements come from hard work. My university professor told me that he's never been the usual science nerd and that he sucked at biology in high school. Now he is one of the leading vole :)kitteh:) biologists in my home country. I know, it's not much of a title, but the point is that he got there with building a growing interest in one topic. Apparently he started it already as a student when he read scientific journals for fun (while many of the other students spent their time getting wasted). Of course it's debatable if the ability to work hard is a talent in itself (I believe it is), but I think "shortcuts" are available to only very few people and the rest of us just have to suck it up if we want to achieve anything.
 
#19 ·
Mater of music & composition definitely. I can play Diploma level pieces and compose songs at an advanced level. I'm know a lot about psycology too. I'm doing a physics degree right now but I'm not a master of it, I'm just slightly above average. But physics is one of the subjects that I feel naturally fits into my way of thinking, I'm just too lazy to practice it haha. I always wanted to be an astronaut since I was 3, I was really passionate about it too, I had a child's astronaut costume, a real telescope & numerous Space documentaries but then I was told that it was too unrealistic when I was 9. So I dropped the idea of it and started to search for other options as I grew older, I remember wanting to become a scientist, musician, archaeologist, geologist & climate scientist but now I'm back to square one to pursue my dream of some kind of career to do with astronomy. Maybe the things I mentioned would be of interest to you? Have you ever thought of science journalism? Since you like writing as well?
 
#20 ·
I am pretty good at playing the piano, but that may be because I've worked at it basically since birth, and often against my will. Eventually I got good at it and actually started to like it.

Sometimes I think strict parenting can give a kid a good base of skills, not only to give them confidence but hopefully a starting point to improve some of those skills even more.
 
#21 ·
I was good at biology and maths as far as it interested me (I am lazy for calculation, but I like the logic part of it).
I studied pharmacy for some time, but finished biomedical engineering, while reading treatise on economy during longer breaks. I was also developing/designing computer games content, won several competitions and tried it professionally. I was programmer for a wile, now I am freelance SW tester/test analyst.
I always like to draw and paint - was best at class in it, and I do so still (now mostly digitally), you can find some link in DeviantArt user thread in Arts section here.
I also do digital photography.
I am fairly competent downhill skier and sometime compete in Giant slalom on amateur level. My airsoft team prizes my tactical thinking and combat skills. I quite surprised myself and won both most of firing competitions as well as knife fight in our team training.

I would call myself a jack of all trades. Master I am officially at science (degree). :kitteh:
 
#23 ·
Is it possible for one to be a jack of all trades and master of all trades?
If I have many interests and I take the time to develop all my interests, would I become a master of all trades? Or is this just a wishful thinking of mine?
Is it better to just focus on one interest and be a master of one trade? Or is it better to learn everything but be average at everything?

Ahh I have so many questions....but I can't seem to find an answer.
 
#25 ·
well considering men devote their lives to one trade and are still not considered "masters" I think gives you the answer. Even men that devote their lives to one trade don't actually devote it to one trade but to a "sub"-trade. For example, a man doesn't devote his life to physics, he doesn't devote his life to astronomy, he devotes his life to studying one aspect of the universe.

another broader example is people train their entire lives to be masters of a sport like basketball and may still stink. They might be incredible in comparison to you and I, but they are still not masters.
A Musician might be able to play several instruments, but truly only have mastered 1
You might become an exception master of none, but I doubt you could ever be master of all. Not even by long stretch.
 
#24 ·
I think if there is one subject that I am becoming the master of (and by master I do not mean that I am a master, but relative to everyone else), it is reading body language. I find the art and science of reading nonverbal language to be very intriguing
 
#31 ·
But it's not impossible to be competent in multiple trades. Which is more than most achieve.
Lets face it - lot of people do just as much as is necessary to make living - being just competent (sometimes not even that) at one thing.

The good thing is that jack of all trades learns the new ones faster, because he can build on foundations of other skills he is competent at. There are always some overlaps.