At parties, you won’t be seen hopping from one group to another, chitchatting with acquaintances about the weather. You stick with the person who took you to the party. You’re the first one to hint that you’re ready to go home too. Or maybe you avoid parties like the plague. You’d rather stay home and doomscroll your late nights away, lurking on social media, hearting posts sparingly. Maybe you’re not even on social media because people’s posts about their dates and breakups and group get-togethers and group squabbles stress you out to no end. You’re a textbook introvert.
Being an introvert is all well and good until it’s time to join the workforce. This is where things get a bit challenging. You need to adapt to a job that requires you to be more social or find a career that won’t demand you to retire your introverted self. If the latter’s more your cup of tea, here are some recommendations.
Sports trainer
Imagine yourself in the Swiss Alps. You’re wearing Bogner ski pants, training a couple on honeymoon how to ski. You give one-on-one training to guests. The sport you love serves a double purpose. It’s your bread and butter, on top of being your chosen stress reliever. It’s the perfect arrangement if you do not appreciate being surrounded by a crowd of people from nine to five.
Scientist
You’re tasked to develop a vaccine because there’s a deadly plague. People will let you focus on the task at hand. No one will mind if you talk to nothing else but your test tubes and petri dish. You have an important job, and it’s way more important than discussing the result of the latest Superbowl with someone who couldn’t care less about football outside Superbowl season.
Accountant
Sure, you’ll need to meet with your clients. Maybe even visit the IRS to discuss stuff with tax people. But you’re not expected to get personal. You can talk purely business, and it’s no big deal. After all, you can get as intimate as you want with your client just by looking at their receipts and financial records. Your ledgers will be your diary.
Graphic designer
If you work for a creative agency, chances are people will surround you during office hours. If you work freelance, though, the only person you need to talk to is your client. They tell you what they need. You get the job done and get paid. There are no necessary chitchats in between. You can focus more on your art with office politics out of the way.
Writer or editor
You can write bestselling books. That’s something you do entirely on your own. However, keep in mind that landing in The New York Time’s best-seller list is a tall order. If that goal’s too tall and out of order, you can write online content instead. Or edit other people’s books. If your edited book sells, you might receive a hefty bonus from your client.
Librarian
Most introverts love to read. You probably derive pleasure from being lost in the pages of a good book. Why not turn your passion for reading into a career? Consider becoming a librarian. Books will surround you throughout the day. Plus, if you need to talk, you’ll most likely need to talk about something you’re passionate about.
Psychologist/psychiatrist
If you’ve seen any of those movies or TV series with therapy scenes, you have an idea of how a psychologist or psychiatrist works. Basically, they listen to clients talk about themselves. If you’re a therapist, all you need to do is nod and jot down notes. Or doodle stuff on your notebook. You’re expected to talk from time to time, but you’re meant to keep your hot takes short and snappy.
Game tester
You love playing video games. Turn your hobby into a moneymaker. Get a job as a game tester. Sure, you will be playing games that are not ready for market release. They’ll probably be ridden with bugs and glitches. It’ll be fun nonetheless.
While these jobs won’t pressure you into becoming the bubbly human being you never imagined yourself to be, the kind who won’t mind performing chumminess whenever the situation calls for it, they will still require you to deal with people. Well, that’s an inevitable aspect of life. And it can also be good for you.
Yes, your introversion is valid. However, it’s also valid to try to come out of your shell and enjoy human interactions. At least when you feel like it.
