INTP INTPs incubate ideas

Introverted Intuitive Thinking Perceiving

In general, INTPs are known for their quest for logical purity, which motivates them to examine universal
truths and principles. They are constantly asking themselves and others the questions “Why?” and “Why
not?” Clear and quick thinkers, they are able to focus with great intensity on their interests. They appreciate
elegance and efficiency in thought processes and require them, even more so, in their own communications.
They may be seen as unwilling to accept what everyone else regards as truth. While often low key in
outward appearance and approach, the INTP is “hard as nails” when challenging a truth. INTPs do not like
to deal with the obvious. They are at their best in building conceptual models and developing unusual and
complex ideas.
• INTPs are conceptual problem solvers; they are intellectual and logical
• They tend to be critical, precise, and skeptical; they try to find and use principles to understand
many ideas
• INTPs have a strong drive for personal competence
• They are interested in seeing possibilities beyond what is currently known, accepted or obvious

Choosing a Major Playing

• Need to understand everything; may be difficult to • Extracurricular activities usually include lectures,
focus on one major drama, and music
• See ideal job as allowing freedom to use special • May frustrate roommates who need casual
abilities conversation or appreciation
• Found frequently in pure sciences, mathematics, • Report they do not date much in college; abhor
research, engineering, college teaching, computer small talk
analysis, or any field involving theory, such as • Because they follow their curiosity, work is play
philosophy or psychology
Possible Causes of Stress
Learning Style
• May lack social supports
• Intensely curious • May not pay attention to details and follow through
• Global and abstract learners • May get consumed by favorite courses and ignore
• Understand theories and underlying principles all the others
quickly • May be so involved with work that they ignore
• Can get so absorbed in reading or research that they extracurricular activities
forget time and people • May put off writing until they read everything
• Report three to nine hours per week of non-required available on the topic
serious reading
Dealing with Stress
Reading, Writing, Studying
• Naturally adapt well to outside pressures
• May find it impossible to study without quiet for • Need to look beyond logic to see what others, and
concentration they themselves, really care about
• Enjoy mastering complex theories • May need to work at making social contacts
• May not have studied much in high school; college • Need to learn to take breaks for physical activity
may come as a shock • Need to restrain their urge to read everything that’s
• Write first drafts loosely, including all possible ever been written on a topic
ideas related to the topic
• Need to revise final drafts by reducing complexity
and by including human examples
 INTP 2
Work Related Strengths:
• Able to analyze problems with great insight
• Architects of creative ideas and systems
• Enjoy situations where they have opportunity to learn and master new skills and knowledge
• Able to work alone, and concentrate well
• Good at long-range thinking

Work Related Weaknesses:

• May be unrealistic about application of ideas
• Ideas may be too complex for others to understand
• May lose interest and not apply selves to follow through
• Have little tolerance for redundancy or detailed work
• May be insensitive to feelings of others, critical, and demanding

CAREER SATISFACTION means doing work that:

1. Lets me develop, analyze, and critique new ideas

2. Lets me focus my attention and energy on a creative, theoretical, and logical process, rather
than on an end product

3. Is challenging and deals with complex problems, where I am able to try unconventional
approaches, and take risks to find the best solution

4. Lets me work independently with plenty of quiet, private time to concentrate and complete
my thinking process

5. Lets me set and maintain my own high standards for my work and determine how my
performance will be evaluated and compensated

6. Is done in a flexible, non-structured environment, without useless rules, excessive

limitations, or unnecessary meetings

7. Lets me interact with a small group of highly regarded friends and associates, all of whom I
respect

8. Gives me opportunities to constantly increase my own personal competence and power and
lets me meet and interact with other powerful and successful people

9. Lets me develop ingenious ideas and plans and lets me delegate the implementation and
follow-through to an efficient support staff

10. Does not require me to spend time directly organizing other people or supervising or
mediating interpersonal differences
 INTP 3
Popular Occupations for INTPs
In listing occupations that are popular among INTPs, it is important to note that there are successful
people of all types in all occupations. However, the following are careers INTPs 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.
Computers/Technology
Computer software designer Computer programmer
Research and development specialist Systems analyst/data base manager
Strategic planner New market or product conceptualizer
Change management consultant Information services developer—computer programming
Financial planner Information services—new business developer
Investment banker Network integration specialist (telecommunications)
Desktop publishing specialist Webmaster
Programmer Network administrator
Internet architect Analyst
Web developer Computer animator
Computer engineer Java programmer/analyst
Business analyst Software developer
Computer security specialist
Management consultant: computer/information services, marketing, reorganization

The field of planning and development offers INTPs the opportunity to do what they do best – analyze
problems and develop innovative solutions. Most INTPs enjoy working in technical areas, using their
ability to understand complex systems and to find ways to eliminate errors or weaknesses. They easily
see how the product, service, or system fits within the context of the whole company, industry, or
technology and enjoy creating new, more efficient ways of doing things.

Health Care/Technical
Neurologist Physicist
Plastic surgeon Pharmacist
Scientist: chemistry/biology Pharmaceutical researcher
Biomedical engineer/researcher Veterinarian
Microbiologist Geneticist

These fields of medicine and other scientific technologies make good use of INTPs excellent reasoning
skills and facility with technical material. The rapidly growing areas of neurology, plastic surgery, and
biomedical and pharmaceutical research are often interesting to INTPs because they are able to be on the
cutting edge of innovative industries, some of which carry some amount of risk. Physics, chemistry, and
biology offer opportunities to work with complex concepts, constantly learn new things, and repeatedly
ask the question “What if?” these careers, especially when they involve a strong research component,
allow the INTP to work independently. Because they are difficult and competitive fields, they tend to
attract other intellectual and gifted people, which INTPs find stimulating.
 INTP 4
Professional
Lawyer Economist
Psychologist/psychoanalyst Financial analyst
Architect Investigator
Intellectual property attorney Legal mediator
Corporate financial attorney Psychiatrist
Entrepreneur Venture capitalist
Business analyst Entertainment agent
Physicist Biophysicist
Anthropologist Intelligence specialist

These professional careers also offer INTPs plenty of opportunities to analyze and solve complex
problems. Often extremely challenging, these careers require clear, logical thinking and innovative
approaches to problems and challenges. The creative process is central to the work of both the architect
and the psychologist. Seeing how one element or event fits into an overall pattern or system is a
particular strength of INTPs and is a frequent aspect of the work of an investigator and financial analyst.
From developing flawless legal strategies to forecasting subtle yet powerful economic trends, these
professions offer the excitement and personal challenge INTPs thrive on.

Academic
Mathematician Archaeologist
Historian Philosopher
College teacher of advanced students Researcher
Logician College faculty administrator
Economist Interpreter/translator
Astronomer

The stimulating world of academia is one frequently enjoyed by INTPs. Because there is an emphasis on
exploring and considering new and different approaches, INTPs often find career satisfaction in the role
of college professor. They usually prefer teaching the more advanced and challenging students and
courses. INTPs often enjoy the research element in any of the subject areas above and enjoy the
opportunity to work alone and then share their insights and innovations with their intellectual peers.
They work best when not restricted by excessive rules and bureaucracy, which many large universities
and colleges are unable to avoid.

Creative
Photographer Creative writer
Artist Entertainer/dancer
Musician Agent
Inventor Information-graphics designer
Columnist, critic, commentator Music arranger and orchestrator
Producer Director: state, motion pictures
Film editor Art director
 INTP 5

One of the strongest attractions for INTPs to these careers is the chance to create something entirely
original. INTPs enjoy the creative process of working with different mediums and the variety of people
and experiences they have access to. INTPs usually enjoy working alone or with small numbers of
talented people who bring something different to the process. Depending upon their area and their
interest in expressing their art, INTPs can enjoy performance. But they don’t necessarily need to
perform their works to find satisfaction in them. Many INTPs are inspired by the world of creative
people and enjoy working as an agent. Their ability to create innovative and clever products or services
often gives them success as inventors.

Remember, these are only some of the areas that provide satisfying expression for the unique natural
talents of INTPs.