INTP feedback needed on career (and life)

[Trueman]

First of all, hi

Great forum you have here, reading through experiences and various topics has been very insightful to me, thanks for that. Perhaps let me share to you some things of my own:

A career crisis and mild depression catalyzed the search for myself and what I wanted to do in my life. I just recently started filling in MBTI test and I keep getting INTP. Being as happy as I was recognizing many of the thinking patters, I still feel a the description isn't a complete match.

I do tend to overthink, procrastinate, try to grasp the bigger picture with the least amount of rules, daydream about all kinds of possible options and scenario's... However, I like to keep my desk tidy, I expect people to be on time, conversations not always feel draining (depends on the person) as it is often described, I care for my looks (clothes, hair, fitness) etc.

As a millenial, this gives me uncertainty in to what direction I want to steer my career. Having a Master in Business studies I started my career in a commercial role. Being tired (literally) of all the social interaction this job required I landed an analyst job. I focus on business processes and document them for IT department. Strange to say I feel I do not have good cognitive ability to map all these processes in my head. I was reasonably good in math and statistics, however figuring out all specific procedures is very boring to me and I can't seem to grasp it very well in my mind. I also did some accounting in the past, I thought that was even more boring as you had to be very punctual, being with your nose looking through financial statements whole day...not for me.

Now, I think getting into data analysis (business intelligence). This appeals to me as it has analytics, you get to create something, it is business related, it is not as process savy, you need to be punctual as will but you can get to look at the bigger picture. Some things holding me back as well. Meaning, I don't feel like an IT'er in the classic sense. I am definitely not a computer geek (not to offend anyone). I am scared this field is still too narrow, too 'practical' (weird huh?). More do I like to think about large concepts and ideas regarding economy, human existence, science and space, policy and politics, psychology...

Thoughts (and doubts!) that I have on my INTP'ishness makes be doubt if my career plans would truly give me job satisfaction (other parameters not taken into consideration).

Any feedback is very welcome!

 

[Trueman]

No IT'ers/economists who can provide me feedback on how to approach this career dilemma?

 

[Happy]

What do you actually WANT? Or better, what do you actually NEED?

(This will give me a basis on which to rant)

 

[Trueman]

What I WANT: Well, I want to became a Home Universalis, like Da Vinci. (That is perhaps a bold comparison, I know...). Gaining knowledge on all topics that interest me, studying and reading about them and becoming a master in the field. Subjects that particularly interest me are: (macro-)economics, international politics and policy, astronomy and space exploration, new technology, data analysis and crunching numbers, more creative professions (architecture, 3D modeling...), music, fitness & health etc. Unfortunately, it is quite unrealistic to have all of these combined in one out-of-the-box job. There is also the time constraint, 24h a day simply is way too short and I need my sleep, even though I always feel this energy in evening that gets me inspired. Then I just start reading articles and forums, watching movies on all interesting topics, eventually depriving myself of much needed sleep

What I NEED: A steady career that allows personal and professional growth, being a salary-worker or self-employed. I was hoping on some additional guidance on this part.

Furthermore, I'm sometimes doubting being an INTP. The personality type is often portrayed as being an engineering type, being somewhat reserved. I like being on my own, however, my energy levels do not get trained by being around many people and talking. Also, it is often mentioned that "visuals" (clothes, lay-out, design, good body etc.) are not that important to an INTP. To me, form follows function, but the form is also very important to me. Lastly, I do not care very much for much detail, in a sense that an engineer would like taking a machine apart or improving it by managing very detailed parameters.

I hope this answer can support further discussion.

 

[Architect]

I'd recommend staying in the field you've chosen, and just find a job/situation that works better for you. Big career changes rarely work out. On finding a better situation we can't help you, you have to figure it out as it's specific to your circumstances and opportunities.

 

[dutchdisease]

No IT'ers/economists who can provide me feedback on how to approach this career dilemma?

Aspiring economist here.