4 Hot Careers for INTPs

Clinically Reviewed by Steven Melendy, PsyD. on May 03, 2011

INTPs are driven by a deep yearning to understand systems and what makes them work. They're analytical people who prize knowledge and love to come up with theories as to how systems can best operate. They are the masters of the Thought Experiment. While they seem to live very much in their minds, they get excited about innovation, devising theories about how things work, and testing their ideas. Hot careers for INTPs are those that put their talent for creative problem-solving to good use.

Producer or Director

If you're an INTP who prides yourself on your ability to see the big picture, you might want to look into a career as a producer or a director. Producers are entrepreneurs who are in charge of managing all the aspects of a film, television show or play in progress. They're responsible for raising money for the project, setting a schedule, and hiring the people who will work on the project. Directors are the creative decision-makers for the projects who work with actors and staff on a day-to-day basis and decide how best to present the show, from set design to scripts. There are no formal educational requirements to become a producer or a director – talent and experience are the most important factors in getting these jobs. Some colleges, though, offer degrees in art management. Training at a film school could also be helpful.

Physicist

Perhaps the quintessential INTP career is that of physicist. As a physicist, you would strive to understand the laws of the physical universe and what makes them work. In conducting research, you would come up with theories about physical laws and principles and subject them to rigorous testing. Theoretical physicists study fields like cosmology (the science of the very large) or quantum physics (the science of the very small), while other physicists work to apply their knowledge by designing or developing cutting-edge materials or research equipment. To become a physicist, you must earn a minimum of a Master's degree, and a Doctoral degree is preferred. Physicists may either work in industry or in academic settings.

Architect

Architecture is both an art and a science, making it an excellent career path for creatively-inclined INTPs. As an architect, you would design buildings with an eye toward both form and function: aesthetics and practicality. A high level of skill with problem-solving is crucial, since the buildings designed must also be safe for the people who will dwell in them or use them for commercial or other purposes. To become an architect, you'll need to earn a Bachelor of Architecture, a program that typically takes five years to complete and which should, per most states' requirements, be accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Many architects go on to earn a Master's degree as well. Architects must also be licensed and pass the Architect Registration Examination, though other requirements vary from state to state.

Software Developer

If you're an innovative, technically-oriented INTP, you would likely excel as a software developer. You would create and design computer software, whether for entertainment, business applications or networking, and you might even design operating systems. As a software developer, you'd need to integrate the software you would be designing with knowledge of hardware requirements and end-user considerations. Software development requires proficiency with programming languages, which can include C++, Python and Java. If you're interested in becoming a software developer, you'll need to earn a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science or a related field. You'll need to keep up with developments in technology via continuing education. Certification, though not required, is a good way to enhance your employability and prospects for advancement in your career.

INTPs revel in working with abstract concepts and finding resolutions to theoretical conundrums. They aren't intimidated by complexity; to their minds, the more complex the problem, the greater and more welcome the challenge. Hot careers for INTPs are those that give these analytical people ample opportunities to utilize their ingenuity in figuring out solutions and improving on systems.

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About the Clinical Reviewer

Steven Melendy, PsyD., is a Clinical Psychologist who received his doctorate from The Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. He specializes in using evidence-based approaches in his work with individuals and groups. Steve has worked with diverse populations and in variety of a settings, from community clinics to SF General Hospital. He believes strongly in the importance of self-care, good friendships, and humor whenever possible.

Comments

Zaid Hilfi (not verified) says...

I am intp however I seem to be intersted in fact obsessed with politics, and international affair, how about political analyst for a hot job

tally.bookman says...

FWIW, I am probably INTP or darn close and I switched from Poly Sci/Inter Affairs to Computer Science in college, lol. Not because I didn't like the former, it was a VERY hard decision. Sometimes I regret it sometime i know it was right. Basically long way of saying i would Poly Sci, particulary international affairs would be great for most iNTP. Depending on the direction you take it, that field can be almost all theory or almost all "in the trenches" practical problem solving, relationship building, etc. I have no evidence for this, but I imagine that some of the people considered to be great International Statesmen are those that have the ability to think conceptually/abstractly and in systems, but apply that to people and groups and countries and also have a way of inspiring people/leading them.

IR Student (not verified) says...

Just want to say that I consider your response to be spot on. I studied International Relations for my undergrad and recently got accepted to various Master's programs with a desire to become an international policy analyst. International law is also a field that interests me. Generally, the abstract nature of this work combined with the unconventional work environments and unique problems faced appeals to me. The idea of typical corporate hierarchy and problem-solving for businesses has never remotely appealed to me and is mundane in my eyes. However, knowing our personality type, which likes to theorize, promote ideas and find underlying causes for things, we might temporally find enjoyment in a wide variety of jobs. But either way, I just wanted to respond and tell you that I agree with your reasoning!

tally.bookman says...

Thanks for the comment and i am glad what I wrote resonated. Sounds like you are going on to have a fascinating career! It's awesome that you are aware of your type/personality/cognitive style/etc. at this stage of your career - you will be able to avoid a lot of common INTP pitfalls I think. I wish you much luck and happiness! Oh, and if you could just fix that world peace thing, that would be great, thanks :-)

Guest (not verified) says...

I like art.

Guest (not verified) says...

I am an INTP who scored high for Art/Creativity on the Holland Career Interest test. I have been trying to make software development work as a career for me for years, and I just hate it. I find it very off-base that most of the career suggestions are in the hard-sciences and devoid of a human element.

Guest (not verified) says...

Are you sure you are an INTP. I would take the test again, I took the MBI when I was a teenager at my school and they told me what careers would be best. Though I felt the INFJ fit a little, the careers looked off based. I recently, took the test as an adult and well light bulbs went off. I am an INTP and I love math. As a youth I tried some of the INFJ jobs and couldn't figure out why I disliked them so much...

xamnu (not verified) says...

I am in the medical field, but want to modify or change my job, not necessarily career. I dislike that I am not an independent practitioner, but I do have my own style of practice and latitude from that aspect. Bureaucracy is taking over, in our clinic and my role is becoming less enjoyable with the evolving requirements.

Guest (not verified) says...

This personality type fits me better at 47 than it did at 24, and I have no idea how to change career track so something more suited to my nature. Most jobs are a torment to my soul, but at this late date I lack the education to move, and frankly, I feel much less sharp, less curious, than even a few years ago...

Tom INTP (Ireland) (not verified) says...

INTP Pastor helping people understand the meaing of life through theological research.

Guest (not verified) says...

INTP. I love the arts and math. Precision and intelligence have unique appeals to me, however I have a very high tolerance for the imperfections around me, and do not become impatient as my personality type suggests. I develop ideas so quickly that I cannot hold onto one for very long before it is replaced with another, making my writing annoyingly disorganized and volatile. I am very emotionally attached, although, true to my type, I approach situations favoring logical arguments. I have very unconventional but open-minded views. I see everyone as my teacher. I have no "normal interests." I don't make close friends easily, however I am loose friends with many. No one hates me, no one particularly loves me, except my girlfriend and one close friend, who have similar personalities. I am exhilarated by doing daring and unorthodox things, ripping apart what is normal in favor of something I know must be better. I am an almost exclusively honest person, especially in my romantic relationship. I work to keep things fun and fresh (I find it hard to stay interested in a consistent schedule and must change what I do frequently). All in all I am a very happy and successful person, who 99% of the time gets things figured out.

Quiet to the Core (not verified) says...

I am another INTP who is SO glad to have found this site and others for the Myers-Briggs types to socialize. In typical INTP fashion, I don't socialize a lot outside of my laptop (my bff), but I just had to say something here. Before I discovered I was an INTP and an introvert and read all about my type, I was often depressed and worried that there might be something wrong with me, because compared to all my teenage peers, I wasnt peppy or talkative AT ALL. I always feel my most lonely in a crowd, because I basically disappear. I have also never been good at flirting, and no boys ever notice me anyway, because I'm so quiet and nerdy. All my journal (my other bff) entries were filled with discouraged questions ("why am I so invisible?" "is it wrong to be as quiet and socially awkward as I am?"), until I found this site and 16personities.com. Now I am so relieved to understand who I am, how I work, and most of all that being invisible in a crowd is just the way I was made, and that it is ok to be that way. In fact, I had no idea that the Myers-Briggs test was so widely known and done by so many people I know! Just by mentioning it and that I am an INTP, I have discovered so many others like me, and gotten to know my very few close friends (ring any bells with INTPS?) much better by having them do the test too. I love this meme; although the wrong type, it basically sums up how I feel now:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/5a/38/96/5a38969f1b051cc6cf255...

I hope all other people, INTPs or not, find this site and this comment as encouraging as I have!

Kalupso (not verified) says...

I am a female INTP and I fit most of the personality traits however, I have always leaned more towards artistic things and majored in Art History. I eventually dropped out in my junior year due to outside stress and realizing how much debt I would accumulate to become a museum curator. I have now morphed into a hospitality person which kind of just happened naturally from working in hotels and in room service specifically. I find myself having to force the extroversion I need to be a good server and to deal with people that are extroverts, but when I read what careers are suited for me I don't identify. Yes I am very much an architect, but I absolutely hate math and only like certain sciences. I don't care for technology either, and I read on here that restaurant manager would be poorly suited for INTP. I'm confused on what to do with my life and I am 24 so I do have time, but I'm ready to finish a degree in something that will make me money and not require me to go to school forever. Its such a double edged sword.

Guest (not verified) says...

I'm an INTP but I find careers such as animation and other art-related careers more interesting than anything related to science or math.

pixelsandpaint101 says...

INTP Female, have gone from studying Fine Art to Psychology, to neurology, then settled with photography for 10 years... (It allowed me to put to use Art and Technology)

Unfortunately I've been getting an urge to change again as I still feel I haven't found what I would be good and and what I love to do....

I wish I had discovered my strengths/personality profiling in my early twenties,
Ive spent many years... days with my nose in books and research, piecing non related topics together by pattern and similarity... summed up, no goal in the near future..... I'm a jack of all trades master of none.

INTPtothecore (not verified) says...

True INTP soul. After taking the MB test, identifying as INTP and researching further, I have come to understand myself so much better. This personality description could not identify me any better. I am a software/database developer for close to 20 years and find it to truly engage and fulfill my interest intellectually. I now understand why draw to many hobbies and research them extremely thoroughly. My personality is playful, witty yet reserved toward strangers until there is a topic of mutual interest, at which time you would think I found my best friend. How amazing to read a description of a personality and feel it is particularly describing me.

Guest (not verified) says...

I am an intp and also an engineer, i love working alone and i hate having people around my back. I can get the job done perfectly though sometimes i get lost in my thoughts. Saddest part about this personality type is that we are mostly loners... all the people ive been with ended up cheating on me because of my "lack of emotions" , funny heh, and i felt almost to no regret... just relieved that it ended. So this might be the biggest issue but otherwise we rock :).

Matt M. (not verified) says...

I am an INTP who has been working as a software developer for more than 20 years. If you are considering going into software development as a career, think again. Almost all software development roles are in highly structured, process-oriented, hierarchical environments - the kind of environment that INTPs hate! You won't be appreciated by your "peers". In fact, you will be resented because you think at too high of a level. It used to be the case that most software development jobs had some abstract thinking component, but that's just not the case anymore. Most software development jobs are all about solving the same old problems over and over again and sticking to an arbitrary timeline while following a bunch of rules created by people who want to control you. The only environment where this isn't the case is at a startup, but be prepared to move on as soon as the startup grows beyond a small team. I got into software development while working at a human factors lab where I was deeveloping systems to test, measure and improve human behavior. I stayed in software development because you can make a lot of money doing it. But you will probably be misearble if you end up working for a large company with lots of rules and processes. You might make it working only for startups, but you have to have an exit plan, because sooner or later your employer's need for process and structure will overtake you.

A physicist wanna be from a small country (not verified) says...

I'm really into physics and math. I don't even have to study to be succesful in those subjects. I've no idea how it happens but i just can understand them in an unusual way. Idk whether it was bc i'm intp or not. My friends couldn't understand physics and wanted me to teach them. I tried to show them how funny and easy physics could be but they didn't understand anything and thought that i was just trying to avoid them. I learned English on my own when i was really young (im still young tho) to be able to read articles about physics. I'm going to  study physics in uni next year. My family and their friends are insulting me just bc i wanna be a physicist with high grades. They think that i'm a pure idiot bc i don't wanna be an engineer or doctor just like every other student in my country. I should deal with them till i go to bigger country for doctorate and more... Ughhh! I should be strong 5 more years and it'll end (i hope so). Wish me luck :)

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