Career Testing Your Outlook

How often do you worry about the future of your career?

At some level, I worry all the time. When the opportunity presents itself I enjoy taking free personality tests and career assessments that propose to tell me what I should be doing for a living. When I was earning my first degree I took time off work to take the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator (MBTI) personality test. There are 16 personality types based on being (I)ntroverted/(E)xtroverted, (S)ensing/(I)ntuition, (T)hinking/(F)eeling, and (J)udging/(P)erceiving. These measures correspond to your preferred world (I or E), how you take in information (S or I), make decisions (T or F), and the structure you use to deal with the outside world (J or P).

My MBTI personality type is INTP and ENTP. Why both? I have the unique score of 50% in the introverted and extroverted categories. This skyrockets my self esteem with justification for why I’m a “People Geek” yet shy away from group work. When I learned about organizational behavior in school, I was told my personality type was one of the highest in demand. So now what?

After reading this report on Women bailing from technology careers I had a better explanation for why I keep seeking career advice. I am insecure about my ability to make it in the “Good Ol’ Boy” world I find myself in. It has nothing to do with technical ability and everything to do with sacrificing my sense of self to do what is necessary to succeed in this culture. I patently refuse to play the game of climbing the career ladder and will rely on merit alone to propel my career. That’s what I’m worried about.

I’m navigating my career life by furthering my education and accepting that jobs beneath my aspirations will still meet my basic needs. I can succeed without being a project manager, independent consultant or CIO. With that confession made, it won’t stop me from trying. Even if I fail miserably, there’s always selling my crochet and crafts as a side business.

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