These Careers Will Set Introverts Up For Success

The word ‘introvert’ is often thrown around as a synonym for shy or even socially awkward. And while introverts can have shy tendencies, introversion doesn’t mean social ineptitude — and it certainly doesn't need to be a career impediment.

In a study from Intuit, 63%, of self-employed women polled identified as introverts, compared to 37% who identify as extroverts. These findings suggest that many entrepreneurs, freelancers, and other self-employed people may have introverted tendencies, which might differ from common conceptions of entrepreneurs being extroverted ‘rule-breakers.' Recent studies also show that introverts are more effective leaders in certain complex and unpredictable settings than their extroverted counterparts.

We all have different personalities, preferences, and learning styles. And while we may think of introverts and extroverts as two extremes, most of us actually fall somewhere in the middle. Still, it helps to know whether you lean toward more introverted or extroverted tendencies when it comes to choosing a job. Take time to think about things like the daily tasks, role expectations, office culture, and team dynamics when you consider career path.

Read on for some ideas for jobs that would set more introverted personality types up for success in their professional endeavors.

Many science careers are perfect for introverts. And though physics is just one field, a lot of science-related career paths are the ideal work environment for an introvert. Physicists study physical phenomena depending on the area of practice, including subatomic particles, molecules, or atoms. The average base pay for a physicist in the U.S. is $120,206.

Engineering is a broad job category with a huge range specialties, from chemical to electrical and dozens more in betewen. But most engineering jobs offer the ability for deep work and concentration and may not require a ton of socialization in order to get ahead. The requirements and average salaries vary for each of these position, but to give you an idea, the average mechanical engineer in the United States makes $84,496.