People with INFP (introvert, intuitive, feeling, processing) personality types are introverts, or people who draw energy from within, that use both feeling and processing skills to interact with the world. INFPs have a desire to help those around them and a belief that people are inherently good. While introverts are typically not gregarious, they can be good at connecting with people on a one-on-one basis and showing empathy. At the same time, they usually do not handle conflict well and can get lost in projects to the exclusion of other tasks. With that in mind, there are a few careers that are tailored to fit the INFP's unique skill set.
Librarian
Librarians help people access the information they need. The core of the position -- helping people -- ties directly into the INFP's strengths. The field offers the opportunity for a lot of one-on-one contact with people, as well as typically being a relatively conflict-free atmosphere. In exchange for obtaining a master's degree in library science, librarians can expect to earn around $57,020 per year, based on 2011 mean pay data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Psychologist
INFPs are excellent matches for psychology. The field not only requires people skills and a desire to be helpful, but also the ability to dig deeply into problems with patients, taking advantage of the INFP's intuition and processing skills. Psychologists are also in-demand, based on projected growth of 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the BLS, which is higher than the US average. The field also pays relatively well, based on a 2011 mean income level of $73,090 for psychologists in the clinical, counseling and in-school fields. In these fields, you typically need a PhD. in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology degree as well as a state license.
Musicians and Singers
You might not see an INFP filling up a stage with an oversized personality, but if you look behind the surface of artists that create music that is less showy and focuses on people's feelings, or on the state of the world, you'll find that they are actually a close match to this personality type. If you have a musical bent, you can earn a mean hourly wage of $31.74, based on 2011 data from the BLS. You also won't need advanced academic training to do it, although you will need talent.
Humanities Professor
INFPs don't always make excellent professors. Some fields are too dry and technical for them. The arts and the humanities, on the other hand, are excellent matches. It allows INFPs to dig deep into human issues, while both helping students learn and expanding human knowledge. Becoming a professor requires a PhD. or, in some instances, a master's degree, but offers healthy incomes. Salaries vary by field, but as of May of 2011, post-secondary teachers in the fields of philosophy and religion enjoyed mean pay of $71,620, while post-secondary teachers of English and English literature earned $68,760 on average, based on figures from the BLS.
References
- Wayne State College: Career Planning: Personality & Careers: INFP
- BLS.gov: Occupational Outlook Handbook - Postsecondary Teachers
- BLS.gov: Occupational Outlook Handbook - Musicians and Singers
- BLS.gov: Occupational Outlook Handbook - Librarians
- BLS.gov: Occupational Outlook Handbook - Psychologists
- BLS.gov: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011 - Librarians
- BLS.gov: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011 - Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
- BLS.gov: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011 - English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- BLS.gov: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011 - Musicians and Singers
- BLS.gov: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011 - 19-3031 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists
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Writer Bio
Steve Lander has been a writer since 1996, with experience in the fields of financial services, real estate and technology. His work has appeared in trade publications such as the "Minnesota Real Estate Journal" and "Minnesota Multi-Housing Association Advocate." Lander holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Columbia University.