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Science Related Jobs INFPs Enjoy?

[INFP] 
37K views 62 replies 50 participants last post by  wolfsnootboop 
#1 ·
Hi! This is my first post here, so sorry if I miss some sort of forum etiquette.

Anyways, I'm trying to list jobs I'd like to think about in the future. A major want of mine is something in the field of science, but everyone always says I'd be better as an artist or as a writer. Those are the only suggestions people give me; they also suggest being a psychiatrist, but.. Just no....

Art and writing are the things I do for fun. I could never make a job out of them. That and money might be problematic.

Any suggestions?
 
#62 ·
I'm a registered nurse, but I quit for a while and worked in Behavioral Precert for some time. I think psychology and behavioral health-related is really an interesting field for INFPs. There's just a lot of growth there, you know? And it's interesting. Except if an INFP is too Introverted (say, more than 80%), the INFP won't really enjoy this as much because you need to focus on people, different people, for longer periods of time (or it depends).

I think it really depends on the specific INFP. @RatherThan could try writing in a science field, maybe even behavioral sciences that s/he enjoys.
 
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#3 ·
Anthropoloy or sociology maybe? Money maybe problematic in those areas too though.

I've leared trying do a job you hate for the 'big bucks' is an extremely bad idea! So pick wisely!
 
#4 ·
Thank you so much for the suggestions!

Anthropoloy or sociology maybe? Money maybe problematic in those areas too though.

I've leared trying do a job you hate for the 'big bucks' is an extremely bad idea! So pick wisely!
Also, please don't get me wrong! I love love love science and that's why I'd like a job involved with it. I just don't think artistry or writing are a good idea for me. I've seen too many people want to get a job in the 'arts' and fall flat.
 
#5 ·
Any cultural studies (Anthropology, sociology, gender/sexuality studies, American studies, African American studies, etc.)
Psychology
Philosophy (Science-ish in that it is logic-based and does ask questions about science, along with everything else)
Environmental Studies/Biology
Political Sciences
 
#7 ·
research scientist, astronomer, astronaut, archeologist, researcher, environmental scientist, physicist, anthropologist, biotechnology, aerospace engineer, geologist, egyptologist, ecologist, biochemist, genetics researcher, forensic anthropologist, wildlife biologist, paleontologist, chemist, engineer, psychoanalyst, research psychologist, environmental engineer, computer engineer, political scientist, forensic scientist, software engineer, screenwriter microbiologist, philosopher, philosophy professor
 
#8 ·
Becoming a pharmacist is another choice. You'd have to interact with people/strangers, though, and it involves medicine (obviously).

Going into computer science would definitely be a long-term investment.

I've considered becoming a researcher, but the prospect of possibly not getting anything significant done for ten years or more turned me off. :dry:
 
#18 ·
Teigue, I haven't started yet but can't wait to. I took tons and tons of classes in college, about 3 years worth of classes and exploring and it's the one class that I adored so much that I just KNEW that's what I wanted to study. The only other possible one would be philosophy, which I have never taken at all, but plan to take a few once I get back again. Glad to hear someone else looooves sociology, it's just so amazing.
 
#19 ·
Hi all, I just joined and figured I'd throw in my two cents on INFPs in science. I'm an INFP physicist. I've always been interested in the sciences, among other things, and ended up studying physics all through grad school. I have almost ten years of work experience now and I'm certainly no different than many INFPs here in being completely lost in terms of job and career. Let me say this first: I've always love the sciences and discovered physics as an undergraduate. It focuses on the big picture and the underlying ideas of how the world works, and I love that. Honestly I could do without the tedious details of calculating this or that. It has always been about understanding the underlying concepts that make nature work and how different phenomena relate to each other. However, being a practicing researcher in one of the hard sciences is not all it's cracked up to be. Unfortunately I was well into grad school before I figured that out. Working with faculty and attending conferences taught me what I needed to know, but way too late. Scientists and engineers are among the most closed minded people I've ever met and many are almost impossible to work around. They are incredibly egotistical, stuck in their ways and ideas, and always ready to tear apart anyone around them if they don't like something about their work. Whether in academics or industry, it can be quite a nasty environment to work in for an INFP unless you can figure out how to build a thick shell around you, something I have not been able to do. If relationships with your co-workers or customers is important to you, then think long and hard about a career in science because you are bound to be working with some arrogant and intolerant characters.

Another thing I didn't realize when I entered grad school is that the whole "publish or perish" thing is completely true and getting tenure at a university completely revolves around pumping out publications in major journals and bringing in grant money. The focus is not so much on quality science or papers, but on the money you bring in and the sheer quantity of papers you publish. You better be able to get along with the peer reviewers at the journal too, because if they don't like your paper for any reason, they'll shut you out and prevent you from publishing it. After five or six years, you will be judged by your peers on whether you are acceptable to the academy by your papers and grant money, and if you don't cut it then out you go. Academics is a cut throat and political business and if that doesn't fit your ideals, you will suffer. I chose not to go into academia once I learned this.

As for research, you must specialize in some tiny corner of your chosen field and pour your energy into working in that tiny area and publishing paper after paper on the same subject matter. Looking at journals you can quickly see the same professors publishing essentially the same papers over and over again with some small detail changed. Usually it is just an extension of their dissertation. It is not the idealistic world of being some free spirited professor that can study whatever they want and whenever they want. Maybe after you go through the tenure ordeal, you can make that happen. If you survive that, then you're in and you have more freedom--subject to teaching demands, university committee assignments, and bureaucratic administration.
Grants: grant funding is determined by government bureaucrats and political interests. if you want funding for something that is not the flavor of the day, good luck getting some money. Science is an intensely political enterprise these days, far from the ideal of a bunch of open minded intellectuals pondering the nature of things.

How did I manage? I worked in the federal government for a while and now I'm working for a company, though most of our revenues are supported by government funding. I work with jerks for co-workers and customers, in general. The egos are incredible, the attitudes are cynical and nasty, and good luck with forming any kind of satisfying personal relationships with them that give your work greater meaning. For me, the people i'm around have always shaped whether I've had a good day or bad day far more than the details of the work I'm doing on any given day. It took me a long time to realize this but it is crystallizing and all I want to do now is get away from these people.

So my point? I would never discourage anyone from the sciences-they're wonderful and I don't regret studying physics--but no one sat me down when I was younger and discussed with me the realities of working in science and engineering and I had to find out all of this for myself. I'm not sure what I would have done differently, but at least I would have not been so surprised at how nasty of a business it can be. Please just beware of this before you take the plunge!
 
#24 ·
Thank you for sharing your experience, physicist. I'm studying science (i'm not very far into it), doing an advanced degree, which is really just a degree that is for people who want to go into research. I have been browsing through information about what it's -really- like to be involved in science for some time now, (thank the heavens for the internet) and found out many of the things you reiterated above, probably late last year. Thankfully i'm not invested in the idea of doing academic research, and intuitively figured out a lot of downsides to it. I was always aware of the bullshit and bureaucracy involved, and luckily the better lecturers here (i'm Australian) actually reveal their trials and tribulations- even to first years.

It actually dawned on me in one of my classes (basically a "learning to be a scientist" class), the type of people who are drawn to research. In a class of 30, just over 10 were Nf's and Nt's. My microbiologist teacher (an awesome person and great researcher) took a liking to me and another girl (a maths major) and I wondered why. There were more brilliant and smarter students there, but now I can see that we were one of few who had any passion for our areas of interest. We had to have discussions online, and we even did modules on ethics. And I was one of few who actually took that seriously. I was also one of few who had any interest in past science communicators, or had any "vision". I never expected science to be a perfect institution, but I quickly realised that for an infp, going down the path of research would be perilous. I knew from my very first year of doing study, that I had a very different perspective on ethics and science in general than my peers. Personally I think science could do with some more nf's, if they could actually survive... with their souls intact :p. I have been shocked, but not surprised, at some of the experiences my professors have been through. Bullying, lying, misrepresentations, using people, holding grudges, ignorance, manipulation, bribery... the list goes on.

I'm exploring other avenues to take my interest in neuroscience. I have a particular interest in neurodegenerative diseases, and would love to be "hands on" in being involved with treatment for those conditions. I've also considered clinical psychology and teaching. I'm taking my time with my degree so I can explore all my options away from research.
 
#20 ·
Well, I'm in computer science and I love programming. A lot of INFP are unsure of what they want to do but luckily for me, I've always been sure that this is what I've wanted to do. A lot of people also have this idea that coding is a boring job. It depends on the kind of code you're writing.
Personally for me, programming is really cool because I get to make stuff and some of the problems require really creative solutions.
 
#33 ·
as much as I hate programming for money (as I can't do what I want generally) ... I would say it is one of the most flexible fields for "money"...that is, if you have other pursuits outside of it... If I ever made any money from writing that was stable enough to do it full time, I would definitely say goodbye to that world forever. I could think of much worse... And it isn't really political at all, you generally just come in, and mostly left alone. Or you can freelance or start your own company. I gave up the idea of trying to find a love that is also a career long ago...I came to the conclusion they are all just jobs, and computers came rather easy to me. Although I do think it is right to select the type of company you work for... I try to work for companies I see as doing a good service to the world/community, etc...and avoid the giant corps.

While I like the idea of doing things to help people i.e. those art therapy/massage therapy/psychiatrist roles... I don't really like that role. I'd rather conceptualize something through writing (or art) or just be more behind the scenes altogether instead of the more direct role. I think all those jobs are actually more ENFP...while an INFP would probably make a better writer/scholar/behind the scenes humanatarian about something they cared about...

that is my understanding anyways.
 
#22 ·
Whatever you like! I may not be the best to speak her because I am right in between t and f (but still leaning f), but I love biology and chemistry. Both would make for realistic job opportunities and it seems that is what you are interested in. I cannot explain these sciences or tell you to like them, but here is why I like them:

-Biology puts me in touch with the natural world and just makes life seem so much more REAL. It is, after all, the study of LIFE and that is just such an amazing and overwhelming concept to me it is so precious and unique to our world. If you decide to study biology you could do all kinds of things besides becoming a doctor like many assume. You could work to preserve endangered animals, keep the ecosystem in balance, work with plants, or become a teacher and I bet there are loads more jobs if you look it up

-Chemistry is like a very intricate puzzle to solve and once you understand one part of it, you just keep going deeper and deeper. I love how the whole world is made of chemistry. Everything can be broken down into the simplest parts of matter then build back up to create something amazing and unique. Chemical reactions help explain many of life's greatest mysteries and some of the most beautiful changes things go through. Chemists can work to create safe products for people, help create new types of medicine to save lives, and also become teachers of course! and other stuff im probably just not thinking of or articulate enough to explane
 
#25 ·
Please please please do not give up.

The older I get, the more realistic my worldview is. BUT, please do not let this sway you in any way. I genuinely hope that NFs and NTs, will indeed go into science, and really be creative and create something very real, and new? I just left a bio-tech company, and I can assure you that whether it is the academia (and I have heard of horror stories too from my own brother, and friends, BUT... it is still a realistic money-driven, applicable environment, but I have always thought that it is less commercially driven or as pressurised as a corporate environment?), or it is the corporate environment, I do think that there are individuals in a high-level environment, who will indeed champion for you, to genuinely create something very innovative and new? I remember my old manager who always emphasized that I should allow the working environment to be creative. I should put less pressure on my customers (R&D scientists). I can see why. Cos if you are *more* pressurised, your brain is not going to think straight. It will fear instead. There are so many good decent managers like mine, who will do well by science, and are ethical, and can play the corporate game, AND churn out good decent scientific researches. Saying that, you do have to provide *some* kind of proof on feasibilities, and hence possibly why the high number of papers and patents to keep that door open.

There had been many kind of examples in the UK alone. Like viagra! It was a research for hypertension (high blood pressure), and angina (heart disease), but then it was later cross-marketed, and tested for other functions. The infamous one, like erectile disfunction. (Who would have thought?)

One thing as a scientist is that, you got to accept that what we do discover has to be applicable to mankind, and have to be commercialised. Unless it is the very very early stages of the research whereby nobody knows what use it has for the industry, or human development, but then if your uni think this, then they are very out of touch with the real world too. Or rather, they don't know what society needs. I think across the world, there are possibly a few unique university or research centres who are truly doing "forefront" technological and scientific researches, and if you want to get into those kind of places, you really got to seriously prove yourself ? I can see how some universities can churn out papers continuously to hold onto the prestige. Also, if you are that good, then you are indeed already the world best. In which case, ANY reputable university will want to headhunt you.

I think INFP can be creative scientists, but you got to take it with a pinch of salt, and also not to let the process stop you and your idealism cloud the system too. Cos you can indeed get the most out of it for yourself, and for society... As INFP'ers, I hope you persevere?

I myself was a chemistry graduate, and then I went into IT and caught that wave. I could've, before the big IT boom, did molecular modelling, or chemical databases. However, there isn't a high demand even back then, and only a handful of companies already did this and provided this in the real world. I just went into the next big thing, which was commercialised IT financial systems. You also had people who wrote the softwares, but they needed people to fix and to resolve system issues. Hence support, system analyst, support analysts role, or business analysts role are rife. That is how I stayed in the job market. Cos there was a need for my skills and background.

In this new scientific age, something called bio-infomatics is the new generational thing after the IT boom.... It is a current forefront field, which lacks the people to do the work, cos it is a multi-disciplinary area. You need a biology background (relating to genetics, DNA sequencing), computing (if you are doing algorithms), and statistics. It is worth considering going into these particular areas.

Now, I am hoping to change field, and go into something which would be quite next generational and more applicable to the masses like dietician... It will definitely be more commercialised.

I can also say that, after the informational age, the miniaturisation phase will indeed happen. So any kind of scientific researches now which will allow us to either
1- recycle materials, or
2- mass produce semiconductors using less raw materials like silicon
3- design smaller components, or find efficient way to miniaturise something, (and therefore use less materials)
4- find ways to be energy efficient, or to find ways to power-up gadgets (for miniaturisation)


The reasoning is that, businesses need to keep afloat. Only way to keep afloat is to sell more items, and bring in more businesses. Therefore if they sold many more items, using less materials, then they are likely to produce this for ALL humans across the globe.
This is the rationale. So any part of this area will indeed be wanted by the commercial world.


Also, don't forget that, you yourself can be an individual innovator, scientist at home. In the UK, I think this is quite common. Mr Dyson. Who did not like the current product, and he went and built his own prototypes, and did his own research at his own home? He believed in what he did. So he went out and proved to the world how efficient his concept was. He also built on this same science-efficient-innovator brand, and created several other types of products solving every day problems. (He found a way to create a new type of hand dryer that definitely kills germs and bacterias, and also is energy efficient?) Or you can go extreme, which is to always create something new, and try to solve every day problems. Yoshiro Nakamatsu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Highest number of patents for a Japanese guy?)
 
#27 ·
I want a career that have psychology, music and art, wrapped into one. I'm into psychology but I have had a history of depression. I don't think being a counselor would be a good idea if I'm on meds. I think I have bi-poler. Have lack of motivation and I have anxiety that never goes away. There's some things that you need to except in life to make things better for yourself instead of struggling to move forward in life. I want to learn about myself, know why I and other think the way they do. Music, I'm always listening to music. I'm very musically inclined, love singing. Would love to learn how to play an instrument. I love dancing. I memorize songs easily. Art, my surrounding are very important to me. Where I'm like a cafe, my apartment and bookstore, they all have to be inspiring. I need feel creative and imagine, atmospheres help me to. All these I love. Oh and I love to motivate people, encourage them to be better people. I love pushing people in the right direction, I care for people in that way a lot. Maybe I can be a career counselor and have a really cool inspiring office with indie music on. haha Encourage people to find the right career for them based on their personality type and passions.
 
#30 ·
It sounds like music therapy, art therapy, or dance therapy might be a good fit for you. Even if your history of depression makes you hesitant to work with psych patients as an arts therapist you could work with stroke patients, Alzheimer's patients, etc.

Music therapy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Art therapy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dance therapy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


I too love music, psychology, and art and considered music therapy for a while but my complete lack of musical background (unless singing around the house counts) kinda forced me to rule it out. Maybe in another life. I've always been really interested in the sciences too and love working with theories but I also like for there to be some practical application so I considered things like forensic science and neuroscience in the past too. A few months ago I decided to pursue occupational therapy because it combines psychology, hard science, and some creative aspects. The further I go down this path the more doubts start to creep in that maybe I would be happier doing something less physically-based and a bit more solitary, but I can't tell yet if those are legitimate concerns or if it's just my INFP tendency to question and criticize every decision I make. In the meantime as an INFP who's borderline T/F it's good to see other INFPs with scientific tendencies.
 
#28 ·
It is very nice to see other INFPs in the sciences! I started out in environmental science, but switched my major to natural resources earlier this year because I was really struggling with the math in physics I had to take for environmental science. Natural resources, although very similar, seems to be more applied, like how you would use what you know in the real world. It might just be that I've now gotten through most of the mindless, 600-person lecture general science classes. I'm really clueless on the career area though. I was just trying to find something I enjoyed studying. I guess with a year of school left I should probably be figuring that out.
 
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