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INFP Careers Find the Perfect Fit for Your Personality
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11 INFP Careers: Find the Perfect Fit for Your Personality

10 minute read | April 3, 2023
Sakshi Gupta

Written by:
Sakshi Gupta

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According to the Myers-Briggs personality test, INFP personality types often thrive as mediators. They are known for their empathy, creativity, and ability to connect with others in a meaningful way. They also have strong intuition and a natural inclination towards helping others, all of which make them well-suited for careers in fields such as counseling, writing, art, or social work.

In this article, we’ll explore 11 career options that are well-suited to INFP personality types. Whether you’re a recent graduate trying to navigate the job market, or simply looking to make a career change, this guide will help you find a career path that aligns with the nature of an INFP.

What Does INFP Stand For?

INFP stands for introverted, intuitive, feeling, and perceiving. It is one of the sixteen personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a widely-used personality assessment tool. INFPs are sometimes referred to as “the healer” or “the mediator” of groups because of their innate ability to understand the needs and emotions of others. 

INFP Personality Strengths & Weaknesses

INFPs are driven by a deep passion for their interests, and a burning desire to impact the world around them positively. They are introspective and reflective, often spending hours lost in their thoughts and emotions. 

INFPs can sometimes struggle with anxiety and self-doubt, particularly when expressing their true selves.

What Careers Are Best for INFP Personalities?

infp careers - What Careers Are Best for INFP Personalities

Here are some careers that are naturally suited to an INFP personality type.

UX Designer

As a UX designer, your job is to determine what users want and need from a product or service, then actualize it with compelling user interfaces and experiences that make a user’s life easier.

But becoming a UX designer isn’t just about designing cool stuff. You must also work with other teams and stakeholders to ensure the final product meets business goals and objectives. That means collaborating with developers, product managers, and marketing teams to ensure the product is technically feasible, marketable, and aligned with the company’s brand and values.

General Prerequisites

Breaking into UX design without a degree is possible if you have relevant experience or a strong portfolio. And if you want to improve your creative skills, there are plenty of courses and UX bootcamps available, including Springboard’s UI/UX Bootcamp, which can help you become more familiar with the various UX tools available.

What Makes This Career Suitable for INFPs?

INFPs are known for their intuition and empathy, which is necessary if you’re trying to anticipate a user’s needs. INFPs are also known to thrive in creative environments, and their inclination towards creativity makes them well-suited for working in UX design.

Social Worker

Social workers help individuals, families, and communities overcome hardship. They do this for their clients by advocating for them, supporting them, and connecting them with resources. Social workers may work in various settings, including schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, and social service agencies.

General Prerequisites

To become a social worker, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) for clinical positions. However, some positions may only require a high school diploma or an associate’s degree in a relevant field. 

Many social work positions also require some experience or fieldwork gained through internships or volunteer work in social service agencies or related fields. 

What Makes This Career Suitable for INFPs?

INFPs are naturally empathetic and compassionate and genuinely care about the people they serve. Social work allows INFPs to help others, positively impacting the world and fulfilling their sense of purpose. 

INFPs are excellent listeners skilled at understanding people’s emotions and motivations, making them highly effective in building trust with their clients. INFPs are also highly sensitive to disadvantaged groups’ needs, making them ideal for helping vulnerable individuals and communities.

Veterinarian

Veterinarians ensure the health and welfare of our pets by working tirelessly to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, provide preventative care, and offer guidance on how to keep pets healthy. 

General Prerequisites

Becoming a veterinarian is a path that requires a significant amount of education and training. The general prerequisites for becoming a veterinarian include obtaining a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.

A DVM degree typically takes four years to complete and includes coursework in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and other related subjects. Students also gain practical experience through clinical rotations and internships. After completing their DVM degree, veterinarians must pass a licensing exam.

What Makes This Career Suitable for INFPs?

INFPs possess qualities such as empathy, compassion, and a love for animals, which are essential for a successful career in veterinary medicine. INFPs also value personal growth and are committed to lifelong learning, which makes them well-suited for the field. 

Writer

Writers use their expertise in language to express themselves or convey ideas. There are several types of writers, including content marketers, novelists, poets, and technical writers.

General Prerequisites

The prerequisites for becoming a writer vary depending on the type of writing you want to do. However, there are a few general skills and traits that can be helpful for any kind of writing:

  • Creativity. Writing often requires a great deal of creativity, whether you’re writing fiction, poetry, or marketing content. Generating new ideas and thinking outside the box is beneficial too.
  • Strong communication skills. Writers must have a solid grasp of language, including grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. This can be developed through reading, writing, and formal education.
  • Attention to detail. Whether you are writing technical documentation or a novel, attention to detail is essential. A writer needs to be able to spot errors in their work and make corrections as needed.

What Makes This Career Suitable for INFPs?

INFPs possess a remarkable talent for writing that can translate into captivating stories or persuasive marketing content for a variety of businesses. With their innate creativity and emotional intelligence, INFPs can craft characters and stories that evoke strong emotions in readers, making them feel more connected to the material.

Psychologist

Psychologists help their clients better understand their thoughts, feelings, and actions, with the ultimate goal of developing coping strategies to improve their quality of life. Psychologists work in various settings, including private practices, mental health clinics, hospitals, and schools.

General Prerequisites

To be a psychologist, you need a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, with coursework in research methods, statistics, and psychological theory. Many graduate programs in psychology also require you to have completed specific undergraduate courses, such as abnormal psychology or developmental psychology.

What Makes This Career Suitable for INFPs?

INFPs are known for their empathy and understanding of others, which can be a valuable asset for a psychologist. They have a natural ability to listen actively and with sensitivity to the needs of others and provide insights that help individuals and groups better understand themselves and their behavior.

Front-End Developer

A front-end developer creates and maintains the user interface of websites and web applications. This involves coding and designing the visual elements that users interact with, including buttons, forms, menus, and other interactive features.

General Prerequisites

A solid web development and programming foundation is critical to becoming a front-end developer. Courses in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery are essential, as well as experience using popular front-end frameworks such as Python, Angular, React, or Vue.

In addition to technical skills, a front-end developer should have strong design skills and an eye for detail. They should be able to work collaboratively with other team members and have experience with responsive web design and cross-browser compatibility.

What Makes This Career Suitable for INFPs?

INFPs, known for their introverted nature, excel in problem-solving and critical thinking, both of which are integral to front-end development. They find satisfaction in unraveling complex challenges and discovering innovative solutions to difficult problems.

University Professor

A university professor designs and delivers a course curriculum, develops lesson plans, and assesses student performance through exams, papers, and other assignments. University professors are also expected to conduct research in their area of expertise and publish their findings in academic journals or other publications.

General Prerequisites

To become a university professor, you must have a doctorate degree in your chosen field. You also need several years of experience in research or professional practice in your discipline. To gain experience, aspiring professors may work as research assistants or teaching assistants while pursuing their advanced degrees.

What Makes This Career Suitable for INFPs?

INFPs are known for their idealistic nature, imagination, and passion. As professors, INFPs can pursue their research interests, design their courses, and engage with their students authentically.

Fundraising Manager

Fundraising managers plan, organize and implement fundraising campaigns and events to raise funds for nonprofits and charities. They do this by identifying potential donors, developing fundraising strategies, and building relationships with donors and sponsors.

General Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as nonprofit management, marketing, or business administration, is preferred, though some employers require a master’s degree.

Candidates with experience in fundraising or sales have an advantage. Fundraising managers also need excellent communication and interpersonal skills and strong networking abilities. 

What Makes This Career Suitable for INFPs?

Fundraising management is well-suited for INFPs because it offers a sense of purpose and the opportunity to impact society positively. INFPs are known for their idealism and desire to help others, and this career allows them to channel those qualities into a professional setting.

Entrepreneur

Being an entrepreneur is a challenging and rewarding career path that requires various business skills and responsibilities. Entrepreneurs usually start by identifying a need in the market and then filling it. This involves conducting market research, developing a business plan, and securing funding. You will also need to hire and manage employees, establish partnerships and collaborations, and oversee the day-to-day operations of your business. Being a team player is essential for any entrepreneur looking to build a successful business.

General Prerequisites

Becoming a successful entrepreneur requires a combination of personal and professional qualities. Entrepreneurs must possess personal characteristics such as resilience, creativity, and adaptability. They usually have a few years of experience in their field and a clear understanding of the industry and the market. 

What Makes This Career Suitable for INFPs?

INFPs value independence and the freedom to work on their own terms. Being an entrepreneur allows them to set their own schedule, choose their own projects, and work towards their own goals. INFPs are also creative and passionate. As entrepreneurs, they can turn their ideas into reality and channel their creativity into building unique products.

Physical Therapist

Physical therapists help individuals recover from injuries, illnesses, and surgeries. They work with patients of all ages to diagnose and treat movement disorders, improve mobility, reduce pain, and prevent disabilities. Physical therapists use a variety of techniques, including exercise, manual therapy, and assistive devices, to help patients achieve their goals.

General Prerequisites

Physical therapists must have a doctoral degree from an accredited program. They must also pass the National Physical Therapy Examination and obtain a license to practice in their state. They are expected to complete continuing education courses to maintain their license and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in their field. 

What Makes This Career Suitable for INFPs?

Many INFPs find physical therapy to be a rewarding career, as it allows them to help individuals improve their quality of life, which aligns with their humanitarian values. The personalized and individualized approach to treatment also appeals to INFPs’ desire to connect with patients on a deeper level and establish meaningful relationships. 

Court Mediator

A court mediator is responsible for helping parties in a legal dispute reach a mutually acceptable agreement. They facilitate communication between parties, help identify issues and concerns, and explore possible solutions. 

General Prerequisites

Most jurisdictions require a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as law, social work, psychology, or conflict resolution. A mediator must complete a specific training program and fulfill any state or local licensing requirements. Strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are essential for success in this career.

What Makes This Career Suitable for INFPs?

The court mediator profession is well-suited for INFPs due to their natural empathy and desire to help others. INFPs are also skilled at seeing multiple perspectives and finding creative solutions to complex problems, which is essential for successful mediation. 

How Can INFPs Be More Successful in the Workplace?

infp careers - How Can INFPs Be More Successful in the Workplace

INFPs tend to feel overwhelmed by the noise and lack of personal space that comes with being in an office, and they may need help staying focused on their tasks when there are so many distractions around them.

But there are ways you can make your workplace more comfortable and productive as an INFP. Here are some tips:

  • Focus on your strengths. As an INFP, you have unique strengths that can help you excel in certain roles. Identify these strengths and seek out opportunities that allow you to use them to your advantage.
  • Set clear boundaries. As an empathetic person, it’s essential to avoid becoming overwhelmed or burnt out. Learn to say no when necessary and prioritize self-care.
  • Seek out meaningful work. INFPs are driven by a sense of purpose and meaning. Look for work that aligns with your strong values and allows you to make a positive impact on the world.
  • Embrace flexibility. INFPs may resist structure and prefer to work on their own terms. Learn to adapt and be flexible in the workplace to avoid conflict and ensure productivity.

INFP Careers FAQs  

We’ve got the answers to your most frequently asked questions.

What Are Some Good Careers for INFPs That Don’t Require a Degree?

Some careers suitable for INFPs that don’t require a degree include graphic design, writing, photography, music, acting, and social media management. INFPs may also enjoy working in non-profit organizations, as they often align with their personal values and allow them to positively impact society.

What Is the Best Work Environment for INFPs?

INFPs thrive in work environments that allow them to express their creativity and individuality. They often prefer workplaces that are peaceful and collaborative.

What majors are good for INFPs?

Majors that may be a good fit for INFPs include psychology, creative writing, fine arts, education, social work, or anthropology.

Are INFPs successful in life?

No personality type guarantees success. It all depends on various factors, such as individual traits, opportunities, and circumstances.

Success can be subjective and measured differently, including career achievements, personal fulfillment, and social impact. One trait that many INFPs possess is their compassionate nature, which can greatly impact their personal and professional achievements. Some INFPs have made significant contributions to fields such as literature, art, and activism. Others have found success in careers that align with their values and passion, such as counseling, teaching, and non-profit work.

Since you’re here…
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About Sakshi Gupta

Sakshi is a Managing Editor at Springboard. She is a technology enthusiast who loves to read and write about emerging tech. She is a content marketer with experience in the Indian and US markets.