Personality & Career Paths

 

Do you know your personality type? Being aware of your personality type as measured by tests such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® can aid in many aspects of your life, including family, relationships, and your career. Your personality greatly affects your interactions with others. Certain personality types mesh well together, and others only clash. This can be acutely observed amongst parents, siblings, roommates, coworkers, significant others, and so on. Your personality also affects what makes you happy. Some people seek and enjoy high-energy environments, while others are happiest in quieter situations or alone while working from home.

One aspect of your personality that can match you with the best career path include whether you are introverted or extroverted. An extrovert will thrive when amongst other people and requires frequent interaction. For this reason, an extrovert might make a good sales representative, counselor, or consultant. An introvert prefers less interaction with others, and therefore might enjoy doing research or being a writer, artist, or veterinarian.

Observations such as these have been deduced by the studies of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. Jung’s theories were used in the development of the MBTI test. In addition to measuring extroversion versus introversion, the assessment also measures sensing versus intuition. This determines whether a person values facts and data (sensing) or insight and hunches (intuition). Next, the MBTI measures thinking versus feeling. Those who prefer thinking will make decisions based on logic, and those who prefer feeling are more likely to let their emotions and the needs of others affect their decision. Finally, judgment versus perception is assessed. This determines how a person relates to the outside world, and whether they prefer judging (thinking or feeling) or perceiving (sensing or intuition).

So, whether you are a student trying to decide on a career path, or an adult seeking a more rewarding career, knowing your personality type can help you to find a position where you are most likely to succeed. Your personality type dictates your values, and having a keen awareness of what makes you happy and where you excel will guide you in choosing the most fulfilling career for you.

For more information on personality assessment, see the following:

The Myers & Briggs Foundation

Keirsey's Four Temperaments

Carl Jung's Personality Theories

Common Careers For Personality Types

To take online tests to determine your personality type, see the following:

Personality Test Based on Jung & MBTI

The Keirsey Temperament Sorter

The Big 5 Personality Test

Word Test Based on Jung