ISTP careers flourish on unpredictability and diversity. This makes them the most versatile and mysterious among all others in the professional field.
An ISTP personality type person is probably the toughest person for anyone to pin down across different aspects of life. It is more so in their careers.
ISTP Careers – 20 Career Options for this Personality Type
ISTPs are in-born problem solvers. They carry an unwavering focus on practical solutions. None of the other personality types carries fascination toward knowing how things work out and the manner of using tools and equipment. The Myers-Briggs personality testing can help you identify your type and understand your suitable career options.
These people also take interest in knowing how one can put together facts and figures to produce satisfactory results. This combined effect of curiosity and visible enthusiasm makes individuals of ISTP personality type engineers, excellent mechanics, forensic scientists, and graphic designers.
ISTPs do not crave the practicality involved in routine administration. They always require action and variety along with the adrenaline rush while carrying out any work. This personality type individual suffers from boredom and tiredness when someone puts them in highly structured environments.
This Myers-Briggs personality type out of the 16 personality types excels in all those jobs which focus on responding to crises. They include paramedics, fire fighters, police officers, pilots, and detectives.
An ISTP would flourish in a career that requires the usage of critical thinking skills. The most important thing for these people is to feel that they are not stuck somewhere.
The freedom to roam around, abide by their schedules, carry out responsibilities, and feel comfortable in their environments is necessary for ISTP leaders.
They always look to avoid all those commitments where there is no flexibility. Unfortunately, it can become a cause for concern in professional setups.
We have discussed the characteristics and the kind of work which will suit people with ISTP personality type.
Let us discuss the details of different career paths –
1. Carpenter
ISTPs are comfortable working with their hands to produce practical and tangible results. Hence, they make great carpenters. They always manage to resolve problems wherever they go. These people can easily adapt themselves to different situations and implement practical solutions to meet the need of the hour.
The career of carpentry would give them a great amount of personal space along with independence. They will need to work comfortably following a set plan to finish off each project.
2. Pilot
When someone is of ISTP personality type, he or she carries the ability to stay calm under extreme situations, make conscious but swift decisions and straightaway share their feelings with others. All these qualities allow them to excel as pilots.
Even though they will work closely with the co-pilot and other members of the cabin crew, most of the time they would need to stay quiet, as part of their job. This is where this personality’s peace of mind will come to good effect.
3. IT Specialist
The task of an IT Specialist is to keep solving problems daily. ISTPs excel in doing just that. This field is undergoing constant changes and evolving to meet the demands of different situations. These people make full use of their natural abilities to come up with the best solutions.
There is no need for external support as they are well-equipped to deal with different challenges by themselves. ISTPs enjoy working with technology and discovering new avenues to bring forth necessary improvement in things. It happens to be the ideal combination for an ISTP.
4. Mechanic
Solving real world practical problems by physically fixing something up will most probably make ISTPs enthusiastic. Their potential to retain a whole lot of information becomes a great quality while learning how cars and heavy pieces of machinery operate.
They can easily understand the subtle differences that exist between different models. ISTPs can adapt their thinking patterns to the needs of each situation. Hence, unforeseen circumstances do not perturb them in any manner.
5. First Responder
ISTPs always manage to stay calm during crises and make rapid and logical decisions. They have the natural ability to adapt and adjust themselves according to the demands of circumstances. Thus, these individuals are best suited for tackling emergencies.
People with this personality type would need to improve the way they communicate with others.
Despite this fact, they will excel in their role as first responders. Therefore, if you have someone by your side, who acts promptly during emergencies, then rest assured that he or she is an ISTP.
6. Mathematician
This Myers-Briggs personality type comes as natural problem solvers. They find several ways to approach a problem and hence face no difficulty in solving it. ISTPs are practical, analytical and manage to identify even the most minute details.
While solving any problem in mathematics, these qualities within an individual come to the forefront. Thus, it would be very easy for an ISTP to become a mathematician and teach more than one way for solving a problem.
Hence, there is no chance for anyone to get stuck in the process of doing algebra, trigonometry, calculus, etc.
7. Computer Programmer
ISTP personality types would turn out to be great computer programmers. They have the habit of using logic to solve problems. Complicated issues never intimidate them. The rapidly changing field of computer programming offers a wide range of opportunities for new streams of challenges and development.
These individuals flourish in challenging and exciting environments. They are always on the lookout for ways to enhance their skills. Overall, a career in computer programming is ideally suited for ISTPs.
8. Graphic Designer
Another great career choice for ISTPs is graphic design. People with this personality type possess tremendous analytical skills and can easily see the larger picture in any project. They manage to take good care of the details, hence making them ideally suited for graphic designing.
As these people are introverts, therefore ISTPs feel quite comfortable working independently and tackling all kinds of challenges in the process.
The work of graphic design refers to offering creative solutions to a brand’s problem in the best possible manner. The best thing is that ISTPs are incredibly good at carrying out their duties as per the demands.
9. Industrial Designer
Those who are industrial designers use a mix of creativity and practicality. If you allow an ISTP to work on any problem, they will be ready to offer a credible solution. They are experts in analyzing a situation and figuring things out in the best possible manner.
It is especially true in the case of practical problems. This is the main reason why they are ideally suited to a career as an industrial designer.
Application of designing knowledge to practical problems of designing is exactly where ISTPs would come to the party. They can make use of their analytical skills to offer creative solutions. Their attention to detail enables them to create grand and functional work.
10. Chef
Working as a chef happens to be one of the most demanding jobs. You need to work on your feet, prepare dishes right from the scratch and adapt yourself to new demands and challenges, all at a rapid pace.
This is the reason why ISTPs would turn out to be outstanding chefs as they possess a great sense of independence along with an optimistic approach toward solving problems.
People see an ISTP as someone who manages to work efficiently under pressure. It is one of the critical elements in the work profile of a chef. Hence, this Myers-Briggs personality type performs as per the demands of this job. It perfectly fits their results-oriented mindset.
11. Web Developer
Web developers focus on working efficiently with complete accuracy. This makes it another lucrative career option for ISTPs. People recognize these individuals for their ability to quickly adapt to new situations and environments. It is significant for working with various domains and sites.
ISTPs enjoy working with technology, enabling them to find solutions. Thus, they find a lot of satisfaction in this field of work. They are always ready to come up with their unique perspective on different issues, resolving practical problems in life.
12. Electrician
If you are looking for another great career option, working as an electrician can be a good one. ISTPs can use their unique qualities for dealing with the challenges involved with this work profile. We all know that these individuals are analytical and logical problem solvers.
They tend to flourish in those hands-on careers where they can use their skills for fixing things and making them work better. ISTPs give great value to their independence and as electricians; you can have plenty of it. You can work at your time and convenience.
13. Police Officer
When you work as a police officer, it happens to be a physically and mentally challenging job. Surprisingly, it does not seem to be so for an ISTP individual.
They would become great police officers because of their ability to quickly process information and decide on-spot even under stressful conditions.
These people are extremely good at taking care of physical tasks and happen to be quite athletic. ISTPs have the psychic ability to read people’s minds and what they intend to do. The quality serves them well in their career as a police officer.
This turns out to be quite helpful at the time of interrogation or while trying to handle a dangerous situation.
14. Architect
It would suit ISTPs to work in the capacity of an architect. This is because it would provide them with the challenge of offering effective solutions to the complications of construction.
They have a mix of practical, resourceful, and adaptable features. All these would add immense value to the field of work.
Creativity is an essential aspect of making a career in architecture. You must be able to think of coming up with creative solutions for different problems. It is also necessary that you check the finer points along with the big picture, which happens to be unique to those having this personality type.
15. Photographer
When one works in the capacity of a photographer, it will require the usage of creativity, technical expertise, and composition skills.
These skills will aid in producing and preserving images that either tell a story or record any event. The work profile needs a person to analyze and formulate plans for composing photographs.
As a photographer, you will need to understand the technicalities of enhancing the appearance of a subject either with natural or artificial light.
You should also know how to use software for enhancing a photo’s clarity. ISTPs can be perfectly suited for the job. This is because it meets their natural tendency to pay close attention to finer points.
16. Dental Hygienist
A person who works as a dental hygienist, tends to examine patients for different signs of oral diseases.
They will guide them regarding preventive care, which includes oral hygiene. These professionals will even educate patients regarding oral health and what one should do to maintain the same.
Dental hygienists work with precision while carrying out several activities. They are perfectly in line with the traits of an ISTP.
Their ability to focus on details comes to good effect as this job requires the professional to remove stains, plaque, and tartar from teeth. Then, they will apply fluorides and sealants for teeth protection, and take and develop x-rays to check the status of dental health.
17. Conservation Scientist
The job profile of a forester or conservation scientist manages the overall quality of forest land, rangeland, and parks along with other natural resources.
This profession requires an individual to look after forestry along with other conservation activities for ensuring compliance with habitat protection and government regulations.
They will also need to negotiate various terms and conditions for land-use contracts and forest harvesting.
The professional will need to supervise the different activities of technicians and conservation workers.
He will select and prepare locations for new trees using bulldozers, and control burning or herbicides for clearing land.
There is also the need for monitoring the regeneration of forests. ISTP personality type individuals can execute all these plans to perfection. They will meet the requirements of this job profile to the best of their abilities.
18. Chiropractor
Chiropractors are those medical professionals who take care of patients having health problems in the neuro-musculoskeletal system including bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Chiropractic treatment involves the use of different techniques of manipulation and spinal adjustments. It also includes other clinical interventions for managing patients’ health concerns like neck and back pain.
For an ISTP, this profession is a perfect fit. This personality type person thrives as a chiropractor due to their inclination toward analysis and conducting different tests for diagnosing an issue.
Then, they will try out different adjustment techniques to get a patient’s spine and neck back in proper shape. All these minute details can work out properly only if the professional is an ISTP.
19. Trainer
The job of an athletic trainer involves the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of bone and muscle injuries and illnesses. This professional develops and carries out rehabilitation sessions for injured athletes.
They will also indulge in the application of devices like braces, tapes, and bandages to protect or prevent injuries from taking place.
The career is ideally suited for an ISTP because it allows them to explore the variety and lets them take a practical approach toward solving problems.
20. Purchasing Agent
When an ISTP works as a purchasing agent, they purchase products and services, which organizations can use for their business purpose or resell. They deal in the evaluation of suppliers, manage contracts, and review the quality level of products.
A person of this personality type will enjoy the fact that they look after the workflow of buyers along with purchasing agents. They will enjoy handling complex tasks of procurement with ease.
To Sum Up
In this article, we have had a detailed discussion on different career options that are perfectly suitable for an ISTP. They will help them meet their life’s objectives.
This curious and enthusiastic personality type requires investing time in doing something that will always allow them to be on the move.
