ISTP
Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perception
As an ISTP, career satisfaction means doing work that:
Popular Occupations for ISTPs
In listing occupations that are popular among ISTPs, it is important to note that there are successful people of all types in all occupations. However, the following are careers ISTPs may find particularly satisfying and some of the reasons why. This is by no means a comprehensive listing but is included to suggest possibilities you may not have previously considered. Although all of these occupations offer the potential for career satisfaction, the future demand for some careers is anticipated to be greater than for others. Based upon our research, the occupations that are italicized in the lists below are forecast to enjoy the fastest rate of growth over the next several years.
SALES/SERVICE/ACTION
The appeal of action careers for ISTPs derives from their desire not to feel confined by a lot of structure and regimentation. They work well on impulse and enjoy situations that are spontaneous and call on their ability to quickly assess their resources and then take appropriate actions. They work well alone but will pull together as part of a team when necessary. ISTPs often enjoy mastery of tools or machinery of a specialized style and enjoy being outdoors and physically active.
TECHNOLOGY
ISTPs often find satisfaction in technical careers because they are interested in how and why things work. They tend to be good in mechanical areas because they possess great observational powers and a capacity to remember and use important facts and details. They usually enjoy working with their hands and like work that provides them with a constant source of sensory information. Their logical analysis is best used when based upon solid facts that they themselves gather through their five senses.
HEALTH CARE
These health care fields are particularly satisfying to ISTPs owing to their highly technical nature. Each requires the use of exacting precision, a well-developed practical and mechanical sense, and the patience and concentration necessary to operate and maintain sensitive diagnostic equipment.
BUSINESS/FINANCE
Pragmatic and accurate with numbers, ISTPs can find enjoyment in business and financial careers. The working environment is extremely important, however, and needs to allow for personal freedom and flexibility for ISTPs to be satisfied. Opportunities that allow the ISTP to work autonomously, without excessive meetings or office politics, are best.
ISTPs are often able to bring order to confused data and unrecognizable facts. They easily see the realities of an economic situation and are ready and able to respond to immediate changes.
“HANDS ON”/TRADES
The independence and hands-on practicality of the trades often appeal to ISTPs. ISTPs prefer tasks that are real and concrete and provide the opportunity to use their hands. They work the most diligently on projects that fully absorb their interest, so if theirs is a love of sports, they will enjoy coaching and training much more than another seemingly similar trade career. Making a career out of a hobby is an excellent strategy for the ISTP.
Your work-related strengths may include:
Your work-related weaknesses may include:
Using your strengths is easy. The secret to success for an ISTP is learning to: Communicate, consider people’s feelings, and follow through on your commitments.
- Lets me identify and use resources that are available to me in the most efficient manner possible
- Lets me practice, master, and then use skills I have acquired, especially mechanical skills or those requiring the use of tools
- Lets me apply my understanding and technical knowledge of the world around me and see the logical principles underlying my work; lets me engage in troubleshooting and problem solving
- Has clear directions; where I can work expediently and deal with real and practical products
- Is fun and active and lets me work independently with frequent opportunities to get out of my work space and be outdoors
- Is done in an environment without excessive rules or operating standards imposed by others; where I can enjoy spontaneous adventures and step in to manage any crisis
- Lets me work independently, with a minimum of supervision, and where I am not required to closely supervise others
- Gives me plenty of time to pursue my interests and hobbies
- Gives me a substantial amount of enjoyment and is continually challenging
- Lets me use an economy of motion and energy and does not require needless routine or procedures
Popular Occupations for ISTPs
In listing occupations that are popular among ISTPs, it is important to note that there are successful people of all types in all occupations. However, the following are careers ISTPs may find particularly satisfying and some of the reasons why. This is by no means a comprehensive listing but is included to suggest possibilities you may not have previously considered. Although all of these occupations offer the potential for career satisfaction, the future demand for some careers is anticipated to be greater than for others. Based upon our research, the occupations that are italicized in the lists below are forecast to enjoy the fastest rate of growth over the next several years.
SALES/SERVICE/ACTION
- Police/corrections officer
- Race car driver
- Pilot
- Weapons operator
- Intelligence agent
- Marshal
- Firefighter
- Surveyor
- Sports equipment/merchandise sales
- Pharmaceutical sales
- Private investigator/detective
- Child support, missing persons investigator
- High school and college athletic coach
- Photographer
- Criminalist and ballistics expert
The appeal of action careers for ISTPs derives from their desire not to feel confined by a lot of structure and regimentation. They work well on impulse and enjoy situations that are spontaneous and call on their ability to quickly assess their resources and then take appropriate actions. They work well alone but will pull together as part of a team when necessary. ISTPs often enjoy mastery of tools or machinery of a specialized style and enjoy being outdoors and physically active.
TECHNOLOGY
- Electrical/mechanical/civil engineer
- Electronics specialist
- Technical trainer (one-to-one setting)
- Information services developer
- Software developer
- Logistics and supply manager–manufacturer
- Network integration specialist (telecommunications)
- Computer programmer
- Marine biologist
- Data processing equipment repairer
- Computer engineer
- Quality assurance technician
- Reliability engineer
- Systems support operator/installer
- Systems analyst
- Home network installer/troubleshooter
- Testers
- Information processing specialists
- Software engineer
- Geologist
- Product safety engineer
- Telecommunications specialist
ISTPs often find satisfaction in technical careers because they are interested in how and why things work. They tend to be good in mechanical areas because they possess great observational powers and a capacity to remember and use important facts and details. They usually enjoy working with their hands and like work that provides them with a constant source of sensory information. Their logical analysis is best used when based upon solid facts that they themselves gather through their five senses.
HEALTH CARE
- EEG technologist/technician
- Radiological technician
- Emergency medical technician (EMT)
- Exercise physiologist
- Dental assistant/hygienist
- Surgical technician
- Emergency room physician
- Transport coordinator
These health care fields are particularly satisfying to ISTPs owing to their highly technical nature. Each requires the use of exacting precision, a well-developed practical and mechanical sense, and the patience and concentration necessary to operate and maintain sensitive diagnostic equipment.
BUSINESS/FINANCE
- Securities analyst
- Purchasing agent and buyer
- Office manager
- Banker
- Economist
- Legal secretary
- Management consultant (business operations)
- Paralegal
- Cost estimator
- Civil engineer
- Agricultural engineer
- Mechanical engineer
- Insurance adjuster, examiner
Pragmatic and accurate with numbers, ISTPs can find enjoyment in business and financial careers. The working environment is extremely important, however, and needs to allow for personal freedom and flexibility for ISTPs to be satisfied. Opportunities that allow the ISTP to work autonomously, without excessive meetings or office politics, are best.
ISTPs are often able to bring order to confused data and unrecognizable facts. They easily see the realities of an economic situation and are ready and able to respond to immediate changes.
“HANDS ON”/TRADES
- Computer repair person
- Airline mechanic
- Farmer
- Coach/trainer
- Carpenter
- Automotive products retailer
- Commercial artist
- Lawn service manager
- Landscape architect
- Forester
- Park naturalist
- Audiovisual specialist
- Television camera operator
- Insurance appraiser: auto damage
- Criminal investigator
- Ship and boat captain
- Commercial airplane pilot
- Flight instructor
- Flight engineer
- Commercial helicopter pilot
- Locomotive engineer
- Military officer
- Airplane dispatcher and air traffic controller
- Studio, stage and special effects specialist
- Silversmith
- Taxidermist
- Gunsmith
- Cabinetmaker and finish carpenter
- Musical instrument maker
- Sketch artist
- Model and mold maker
The independence and hands-on practicality of the trades often appeal to ISTPs. ISTPs prefer tasks that are real and concrete and provide the opportunity to use their hands. They work the most diligently on projects that fully absorb their interest, so if theirs is a love of sports, they will enjoy coaching and training much more than another seemingly similar trade career. Making a career out of a hobby is an excellent strategy for the ISTP.
Your work-related strengths may include:
- Ability to work well with defined tasks and tangible products Keen powers of observation and an excellent memory for factual information
- Ability to bring order to confusing data and to recognizable facts
- Aptitude for working alone or alongside others you respect
- Ability to stay calm and cool in a crisis or under pressure
- Ability to recognize what needs doing and what is necessary to complete the job
- Aptitude for working with your hands and with tools
- Ability to adapt well to sudden change and shift gears quickly
- Practicality and good common sense
- Ability to identify and make good use of available resources
- Flexibility and willingness to take risks and try new approaches
Your work-related weaknesses may include:
- Difficulty seeing the long-term consequences of actions
- Lack of interest in verbal communication, especially superficial conversations
- Dislike of advance preparation; you have trouble organizing your time
- Little patience for abstract and complex theories
- Tendency to be blunt and insensitive to the feelings of others
- Tendency to get bored and restless easily
- Difficulty seeing opportunities and options that don’t exist at the moment Impatience with administrative details and procedures
- Unwillingness to repeat yourself
- Difficulty making some decisions
- Strong independent streak and dislike of excessive rules and structured bureaucracy
- Resistance to setting long-term goals and difficulty meeting deadlines
Using your strengths is easy. The secret to success for an ISTP is learning to: Communicate, consider people’s feelings, and follow through on your commitments.