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Top Majors and Careers for Introverts

When looking for a job that suits your strengths, it’s important to ask yourself the question, “Am I an introvert or an extrovert?” Introverts, who make up somewhere between 30 and 50% of our population, may be able to perform more confidently at some jobs than at others. If you are looking into careers for introverts, you’re in the right place. 

In this article, we’ll start by discussing college majors that can prepare you to land a great job for introverts. Then, we’ll discuss what to look for in your career if you are an introvert. We’ll also offer up some sample professions to look into. However, remember that this is not an exhaustive list. There are jobs available for introverts in almost any industry or field! You just have to know what to look for.

Also see: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool

Majors for introverts

To put you on track for a job that is well-suited for introverts, you may want to look into these majors. They will qualify you for a large spread of careers for people who enjoy time on their own. But if you’ve already graduated from college, don’t worry. Majoring in one of these topics is not the only way to set you up for a career that works for you.

Accounting

Accountants often spend most of their time looking through and preparing financial documents. This means that you will spend most of your working day with your head in the books. Some accountants spend a fair amount of time interfacing with clients, which may be hard for an introvert. However, the majority of positions will put your introverted mind to use. No matter your role, you’ll spend a large portion of your time working on your own.

Also see: Accounting major overview

English

If you enjoy writing of any kind, consider an English major. You could secure a marketing job, a copywriting job, an archival job, or many others. In these professions, you’ll spend the bulk of your time writing and reading. This is a great option for anyone who enjoys working on their own.

Don’t miss: English major overview

Library and Information Science

Studying library and information science could land you a wide variety of degrees. You may end up working at a public library, or a college or government library. You’ll be working to ensure that everything is organized and available if needed. Librarians become intimately familiar with the inner workings of their library. You’ll work together with a team, but the majority of your work will probably be solo.

Also see: Information science major overview

Engineering

Engineering can take many forms, but the vast majority of them are great for introverts. You’ll work alone and in teams to design products, systems, and other parts of our society. It’s known as one of the more difficult majors. However, an introverted mind with an enthusiasm for learning is just the right fit for this major.

Also see: What is a STEM degree (And why you should study one)

Aviation Maintenance

When you sit down on an airplane and prepare to embark on a journey, the first thing you’ll want to know is that the plane is in perfect shape. Aviation maintenance workers are responsible for this. They perform routine checks before and after each journey, and repair anything that requires maintenance. For the most part, these jobs are highly specialized. You’ll be part of a team, but you’ll have specific tasks and duties that you need to take care of.

What to look for in jobs for introverts

Seek independence

As an introvert, there are several things you should keep in mind during your job search. Generally, you’ll want to find a position that involves a significant amount of independent work. This can come from a hyper-specialized position where you are part of a team but focus on one specific task. For example, you could work as a surgeon who specializes in one specific type of surgery. 

If you don’t want to work on a team, you could seek out an independent job. This could be a freelance writer, a plumber, or a tree maintenance business. If you are your own boss, you can interact with others on your own terms.

Interfacing with clients vs. a team

Next, you should decide what types of interactions you are the least and most averse to. For example, some jobs may require more interfacing with clients and customers, and others with team members. Introverts may find that they are willing to spend more time talking to team members than clients.

Let’s dig into an example. Let’s say you are an introvert looking for an accounting position. You are choosing between two positions: one where you’ll work as part of a team representing a corporation, and another where you are the sole individual representing a small business. As part of a team, you’ll have less client interaction. However, you’ll be working together with other accountants on the complicated financial situation of a corporation. If you represent the small business, you’ll have less client interaction but will avoid collaboration.

As you can see, every introvert is different! Before deciding on a career, do some soul searching. Think back to your experiences working with others and ask your family and friends. Not all jobs for introverts are the same. Decide which types of interactions you find the most enjoyable and the least enjoyable.

Sample jobs for introverts

Paralegal

Paralegals support attorneys through organization, research, and writing. You’ll work with a lawyer or a team of lawyers, but you’ll have little to no client interaction. This means you’ll spend most of your time working on your own, sorting through information and disseminating it.

Don’t miss: How to become a paralegal

Research assistant

Research assistants help academics complete their research pursuits. This typically involves reading and summarizing lots of articles and books. You’ll sift through large sums of information, pulling out any information that is relevant to your boss’ project. If you like spending lots of time on your own with your head in the books, this one’s for you!

Technical writer

Technical writers are responsible for writing documents such as how-to guides and instruction manuals. Your main task will be to summarize information in an easy-to-read manner. As a result, most of your time will be spent tweaking the wording for your documents.

Scientist

There are many types of scientists, all with varying degrees of collaboration. However, most scientists spend much of their time working on their own. If you enjoy researching, developing theories, and testing them out, consider becoming a scientist.

Next steps

If you’re looking for majors and careers for introverts, we’ve got a host of additional resources for you. For students who are still deciding your major, we have a guide to how to pick a major and a list of the top majors for the future. And if you’ve already chosen your major, we can help you choose a career path. Check out our list of the fastest growing careers. If you’re having trouble finding a position, you may want to consider obtaining some more credentials. Our guide for how to pay for a certificate program can help!

Frequently asked questions

Are introverts less likely to get hired?

Just like any type of person, introverts bring their own strengths and weaknesses to the table. As is the case with any person or any job, introverts are more likely to get hired at jobs which play to their strengths. For example, an introvert will probably have a better shot at landing an accounting job than an extrovert. Likewise, an extrovert will have an easier job landing a host or hostess job than an introvert.

Landing a job is all about playing to your strengths, and if you already know that you’re an introvert, that means you’re on the right track, because you’re identifying what you can and can’t do. Make sure to use this information to find jobs that cater to who you are as a person.

What is a good career for a quiet person?

Quiet people will typically prefer jobs that involve a lot of independence and less client-facing interaction. Working as a writer, researcher, accountant, or engineer could be a good route for quiet people.