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<p>Appellate law is a great field for a motivated introvert who writes well. Actually, civil litigation generally is a good field for introverts. And, of course, many jobs in academia would fit the bill.</p>
<p>The list is endless, really. What are you interested in? Do you have any particular talents? It seems a bit weird to start throwing out jobs like “art restorer,” “museum curator,” “entomologist,” “paleobotanist,” or “composer” without knowing your interests or aptitudes.</p>
<p>There is some misunderstanding of introverts here (and elsewhere), IMO. On MBTI I am on the introverted side (and NTJ; these are actually stronger than my I, and my J is alllllllll the way). On DiSC, I’m a high C (actually, high D and S also) and an extremely low i (the descriptors it gave my personality for i were things like reticent, aloof, etc)</p>
<p>Being an introvert doesn’t mean you don’t want to interact with people. It means that you interact when it is needed, but not for the sake of interaction. Extroverts can find going to a club to be very relaxing and a chance to “let loose” while an introvert finds the same situation stressful and uncomfortable. Introverts are happy to read a book or hang out with a small group of friends, while an extrovert might find that same activity stressful for them because there isn’t enough “going on.” Extroverted people make the most “noise” so it seems like they are the most common, when in reality this is the perception because they are the most dominant, and the introverts are happier that way.</p>
<p>Extroverts go to meetings and talk for an hour without accomplishing anything, while the introvert sits there painfully waiting for someone to “actually do work” and leave the meeting cursing that an hour of their productive work time was wasted by others. Introverts pipe up when they have something to say, but are unlikely to think out loud like extroverts do.</p>
<p>My field (I work as an analyst, basically writing reports and giving presentations on happenings around the world) is full of introverts. I work on a team of less than 10, and I think all but perhaps one or two of us are introverts (based on observation). We mostly do our own thing, and we talk or bounce ideas around when we want to. When our team has meetings, they are announced ahead of time and there are specific expectations of what each person is bringing to the meeting, so it is more of a touch base time where we can get questions answered or ask for some thoughts from the group, not a spend 1-2 hours talking in circles time.</p>
<p>You can do anything as an introvert. Personally, I think it is important to understand your personality and its strengths and weaknesses in various situations. Then you know how to interact better in different situations to maximize your strengths based on the group you are with and minimize the parts of your personality that would be less constructive. For example, since I am all the way on the J side of MBTI, I know that I always make decisions based on logic at the expense of feelings. So, if I am aware that I think like this, hopefully I can try to take personal feelings into account in certain situations, and understand that thinking “your personal feelings are ridiculous right now; they don’t reflect reality at all” might only make the situation worse, even if it is true.</p>
<p>In meeting situations, it is important for introverts to make an effort to make sure they are heard when they have good ideas. It is important for the extroverts to make a point to allow the introverts to speak, as introverts are less to interrupt and interject their ideas. It is important for extroverts to not assume that an introvert not sharing any ideas at a certain point in time means they aren’t mentally involved in the discussion, but rather they don’t think they have anything productive to add. It is important for introverts to ask questions, rather than hoping that the answer or clarification they are looking for will come through at some point if they wait long enough.</p>
<p>Thank you all! I appreciate hearing the perspectives of so many people.
I suppose I will continue with my plan to study science in college and possibly go into research afterwards.</p>
<p>I know this thread is a few months old, but I’m also a “Myers-Briggs INTJ” introvert (though of course, it’s impossible to group everyone neatly into 16 categories - it’s just a guide). I’m definitely on the introverted side, but not extreme. I’ll be graduating with a degree in Biology in just over a month, and I’m considering public health.</p>
<p>I don’t consider myself shy. I very much enjoy short-to-moderate, meaningful conversations with people. I feel I’ve learned a lot of great interpersonal skills over the years, and you can learn a lot from talking to different people with different experiences. I’m not immune to cabin fever! When there is an opportunity to ask questions, I try to be one of the first to do so.</p>
<p>On the other hand, “team spirit” “rah-rah” type of things don’t do much for me. This might have been part of the reason I always felt out of place at where I went (BC). And yes, I often feel drowned out or even “crushed” in larger groups.</p>
<p>A lot of it depends on the setting.</p>
<p>I think you have to distinguish between being an introvert and being socially awkward. Many introverts are able to function well in social situations. Those people do well in almost any job. The people who have problems on the job are people who are socially awkward. Those people have trouble functioning in a social setting regardless of whether they are introverted or extroverted.</p>
<p>It sounds like the OP is naturally introverted but functions well in social situations. If that is the case he will likely be able to function in most jobs.</p>
<p>My husband is naturally an introvert but he is a lawyer. He is not socially awkward and he likes people. He’s quiet and keeps most of his thoughts to himself unless sharing them is required. He is one of the founding partners of his firm and has a large and successful practice. I don’t think being an introvert is a problem as long as the OP can function socially.</p>
<p>H and I are both introverts. He has worked as: professor, video game designer, website designer, researcher. I have worked as: CIA analyst, international banking/investment analyst, teacher, and now (big career switch) pastor. I find that I work best one-on-one or in small group situations. Large groups tire me out. As a pastor, I go home from church every Sunday afternoon completely drained and take a long nap. Then I’m ready to go again!</p>
<p>Sales, believe it or not. A lot of time is spent developing product knowledge, driving to and from customers, analyzing sales data, other travel.</p>
<p>But you have to be able to turn in the extrovert but the more technical the product, the more reserved you can be…it adds a level of seriousness and credibility.</p>