Career Advice for People with ISTP Personalities

"ISTPs have a vested interest in practical and applied science, especially in the field of mechanics."
― Isabel Briggs Myers

As opposed to the nurturing personality type, ISTPs are observed to be more rational in their approach. As Isabel Briggs rightly puts it, they have an inherent interest in mechanics and related fields. As per statistics, they make up for 9% of the male population and 5% of the female population.

Their interest in the technical fields opens a lot of doors for them in terms of favorable careers. However, like all the other personality types, they do have a few flaws, which may not assist them in choosing the right career path. The paragraphs below provide a list of careers related to ISTP.

• ISTP stands for Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving.
• Such people are mostly introverts - don't misunderstand, it does not mean that they do not interact, it simply means that they are more comfortable working on their own.

• Their sensing ability makes them absorb detailed facts, while their thinking helps them reason with a logical mind.
• They are open to challenges and are very adaptable as well.
• Rightly dubbed as 'the Mechanic', ISTPs are highly technical and focused.
• However, they have an adventurous side, they are fearless and loyal.

• They will not base anything on intuition - they need their senses to trust something. They need to touch, feel, smell, see, and hear things. That is when they believe it to have some value.
• When they encounter a problem, they analyze it first, and then find practical solutions.
• Listed are a few career choices for the ISTP personality type.

Strengths

• Highly practical
• Very creative
• High technical and mechanical aptitude
• Very adventurous
• Open to challenges
• High enthusiasm and energy
• Optimism
• Ability to assign priority
• Ability to remain calm during a problem
  

Weaknesses

• Extra risk-oriented
• Do not worry about the future
• Insensitive (at times)
• Hate to be tied down
• Constantly need new challenges
• Stubbornness
• Very reserved
• Easy-going even when unnecessary
• Dislike of commitment

• A pilot requires to be agile and adventurous.
• Besides, the study of aeronautics and aerospace engineering involves a lot of technical jargon, which is easier for an ISTP to master.
• He loves tasks that are action-oriented and involve technicalities.

• Moreover, their minds are conditioned to think in terms of crisis, which is suitable to become a pilot.
• Related careers could include motor cyclists, mechanics, etc.

• An ISTP has an analytical mind.
• He is focused on getting things done in the most practical way possible.
• When he is required to troubleshoot a problem, he analyzes the problem first, step by step, and then brainstorms a solution.

• This kind of approach is very useful in data analysis; an ISTP can choose to become a data analyst, communications analyst, research analyst, finance analyst, etc.
• His quick decision-making skills may help him qualify for an emergency medic as well. This is one of those rare ISTP careers in medicine.

• For the same reasons as mentioned above, programming is an excellent career choice for an ISTP.
• Programmers require to have critical-thinking skills combined with an analytical and problem-solving approach.
• Computer studies involve heavy theory with a multitude of practical applications. 

• ISTPs would love to explore the various ways to arrive at a solution, to write codes that would help develop an application.
• Moreover, software developers mostly work within deadlines, and at such a time, it is important to keep a cool head and complete the assigned tasks. This is something an ISTP can perform exceptionally well.

• It is one of the best careers for the ISTP personality type. A majority of athletes are ISTPs.
• They love adventures and risks and challenges. A sports career allows them to use these traits in abundance.

• They seek to understand the precise way in which things are structured. They are spontaneous and observant; these characteristics are vital in sports.
• According to research, some of the popular hobbies of ISTPs include all the dare-devil acts, like scuba diving, racing, weaponry, archery, hunting, etc. That is when they feel vibrant and alive.

• ISTPs loathe monotonous, repetitive tasks.
• Having to think about something and taking action is what keeps an ISTP sane. Anything that involves repetitious acts will crush his spirit.

• Any career in administration will be unsuitable for them. Most of the tasks in administration lack creativity and enthusiasm. There are no innovations either.
• Considering these facts, an ISTP needs to avoid this career path.

• For the same reason as above, ISTPs need to avoid careers in accountancy.
• Ideally, the field involves a lot of figures and numbers and tasks that an ISTP is very well capable of executing. However, it requires no technical expertise, no inventions, or anything that is related to a practical approach.

• If an ISTP does not make use of his intellect for a long time, he might get fidgety and frustrated with work.
• A career in accountancy or a clerical job tops the list of careers unsuitable for an ISTP.

• ISTPs are introverts. They need time to come out of their shell and mix around.
• Within smaller groups, they might behave differently; however, in general, they are not very attracted to people.
• The career path of human resources requires a person to have excellent communication, interpersonal, and people skills. An ISTP lacks these traits.

• He cannot go on talking or discussing with his opponent or colleague. To achieve quality work, he needs to work alone, without any disturbance.
• This attitude does not suit HR, one needs to warm up to clients, convince them, put up with their complaints, etc. Thus, careers like an HR manager, HR consultant, public relations, etc., are not suitable for an ISTP.

• ISTP careers in business may not be successful, they may not make good entrepreneurs.
• One primary fact that support this is that ISTPs dislike public communication. To be successful, one needs to promote his business. This means he has to be social, entertain guests and clients.

• Point two, ISTPs can be very relaxed at times, without bothering about the future. In a business, one needs to have long-term goals and plans. They also need to remain committed. Both these are the weaknesses of an ISTP.

• Apart from a dare-devil attitude, there isn't much that can speak in favor of an ISTP undertaking business. Also, business is not solely about taking risks for the fun of it. One has to learn from those challenges.
• Thus, a career in business is a wrong choice.

ISTPs are brilliant, innovative individuals. Their interest in technology and mechanics makes them the most ideal candidates for related career paths. That said, they are not nerds or geeks. They can very well make a success of any career they choose, once they are determined enough.

Have you heard of the famous Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, Amelia Earhart, or Katherine Hepburn? They are all ISTPs. So, good luck with your career!