Writer. :D In my own little world.

Writer, too. But Angel's job is cooler. :-)

Computer geek. I'm shocked that I'm the first one to speak up.

Composer (fulfilling) who works a software QA job (not fulfilling) to pay the bills...

Fulfilling? Errm. Well, that's a differnt story, lol. I have two jobs right now, one is fulfilling, the other I despise. The one I love is photographer. The one I hate is teacher. I made a living for 15 years as a writer, and loved aspects of it (the fiction) which didin't pay much, and finally left because I simply burned out on the professional aspects (technical writing, copywriting, etc). I also spent a number of years as a professional musician, and when I was basically creating my own reality, I loved it. Trying to commercialize it killed it for me :-).

I sorta admit to still living in Never Never Land, lol.

teacher

cocktail waitress

camp counselor
yoga teacher
dancer
aspiring writer

I like to be self-employed and do several things instead of relying on just one job.

I used to be a practicing lawyer ... but you asked about jobs we found fulfilling :). As a creative person, I'm glad I know about legal matters (copyright, etc.), but I found it stressful to be in the middle of conflicts between people, which is a lot of what lawyers do.

On to the good stuff ...

Professional astrologer and intuitive counselor
Writer and editor

At one time, I ran a church for a while (they temporarily had no minister) and really liked it, could have been a minister, except I don't want to be tied down to one particular religious/spiritual belief system.

I'd like to include more public speaking in whatever I do. I enjoy the energy going back and forth between the audience and me.

My dream would be to run a non-profit foundation that gives grants and/or does things to make a difference in the world.

i currently work in retail which I have not found fulfilling. I would really like to work in crafting/art or landscaping. Or being a sign language interpreter.

Horrible. I'm an Administrative Assistant and I hate it. Not only am I introverted, but I have ADD. But this is what I know how to do (going on 9 years). I do need a career that fits more of who I am, but I haven’t found anything that I am interested in yet.

Writer (novelist—I recently landed an agent. Yah!), Publication Manager (creative and tech writer—to pay the bills), and specialty tea company owner (ExpeditionTea.com—because I love tea).

I work in a library.

Shh.....

wow. what an amazing number of writers! i always wanted to be a novelist growing up, but my parents' practicality pushed me in another direction.

fulfilling... i've always loved "being in school" as a career. harhar. now i do nonprofit advocacy. lots of writing, a good deal of "public speaking" or meetings with public officials. it's funny, before reading this thread i never thought of myself as an "actress" but something said earlier really resonated--i too put on a carefully controlled persona when i'm working "in public" that i switch on and off, but i too need "recovery time" in between. and wearing the public face for too long is completely exhausting.

more fulfilling... i still dream of making a living doing something more personal and creative. like photography. and of course, i still write!

hurm. maybe there IS something to myers-briggs...

amberina

I'm a massage therapist and energy worker. Many INFPs just love to shepard people through positive change ;-)

I read in "Please Understand Me" that nearly all the successful writers, not just for books but also TV shows, movies, and plays, are INFP... and that through this influence on pop culture we've managed to convince most of the world that they "should" be interested in self-exploration and development, even though they actually... well, aren't.

Used to be a graphic designer and web developer... I also used to score INTP. So I find it pretty easy to speak from my head. My challenge was learning how to speak from my heart, something I continue to work on.

I started out as a camp counselor and a nurse's assistant through high school. Both jobs wonderfully rewarding and fulfilling.
I went to college with the convential idea of taking Pre-med courses and eventually going to med school to be a doctor. The beauracracy and institutionalization of the program turned me off and I switched my major to what was previously a hobby - Theater. I was successful and wound up getting accepted to the graduate program for acting at Yale, but I was unprepared and not focused on what exactly I wanted out of the program. I wound up banging my head agains the figurative wall for three years and upon graduation found myself in NYC with great credentials, my only motivation being to "make good" on my commitment to this career. It didn't work. Somewhere along the line the artistry got lost in the business of the industry and I lost heart.
I'm returning to my original path and am obtaining a degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis in Drama Therapy. My motivation is less about performing and more about allowing others, no matter what their background but specifically people who have been marginalized and abused, to find their own artistry and divinity in this crazy world.

I do computer desktop support (tech support) for a big university, and it's not really very fulfilling. I am contemplating a career change instead of just a job change.

I like the computers and having time to troubleshoot problems, but the issue lately is that the time I have available to me for pondering over and issue has become shorter and shorter.

My group has also taken on so many people that many of them now have no idea who we are as people. As a result, when they pick up the phone they direct their frustration and anger directly at anyone that picks up the phone on the other end. If you don't think that doing that day in and day out has any effect on your, well... it does. It sucks. It makes me unhappy, angry, and dislike every person I see walking down the street, and that's screwed up. It's not the person I want to be.

- lumber yard - working physically with wood was good - working with people was not
- marine corps (aircraft mechanic) - working on the birds was very fulfilling - knowing that they are used to kill people was very unfulfilling
- video rental clerk - working with movies very kewl - working with customers ok
- cj penny customer service/catalog orders - not really fulfilling in any way
- general maintenance in an rv lot - mechanical work was fun - menial busy work was very unfulfilling
- brakes and front ends - mechanical work was fulfilling - crazy inappropriate deadlines were unfulfilling
- greeting card warehouse labor - unfulfilling
- aerospace machinist - high precision technical demands were very fulfilling - assembly line like environment was unfulfilling
- mathematics tutor - helping other people understand math very fulfilling
- greenhouse construction - working outside with physical tools and building things was very fulfilling
- book binding - learning how to use the machines was kewl - but another assembly line like position
- computer assembly line support - managing the constant upkeep of manufacture lines was actually quite enjoyable
- network administrator - learning high end technology was a real turn on - management's unrealistic expectations was unfulfilling
- phone technical support - solving technical problems was very fulfilling - high pressure frustrated customers was a real turn off
- technical support supervisor - helping people improve their skills was fulfilling - disciplining people was very unfulfilling
- corporate help desk - solving technical problems was very fulfilling
- store support help desk - solving technical problems was very fulfilling

i am finishing my degree in IT and really enjoy programming so far
i like to solve problems/puzzles
much mechanical and technical work is about understanding what is wrong...understanding the problem/puzzle
then finding a solution
i like it best when i have to create a solution on my own...i get bored with canned solution
i also noticed that i perform best when everything is out of control
like when something important breaks and everyone else is losing their mind
for some reason i can think clearly when others are not
lol
my wife gets hysterical when she loses something
and she gets me to find it
in the past year
she has taken to calling me on the phone at work
when she has lost something at home
because she can find it while i am on the phone
weird
i guess that's just one of my roles in our relationship

Executive Assistant. Fulfilling?? NO!

I have been in I.T. forever. I fell in love with Computers when I was 10 years old. My first business attempt was a company I started called Music & Computer Technology. You can tell from the name what it was. It was just a little before its time though. Right now I am working as a Systems Administrator for an online banking company, but my intention is to start another business. My current job is not really that fulling though it does give me enough spare time to do what I think is fullfilling. Like brainstorming business ideas, writing fiction, studying theology and phylosophy. Listening to talk radio.

people.tribes.net/vanight

I am a self employed life coach. It's the best job I've ever had... working for myself is fantastic. I never felt like I fit into the corporate structure - to much of a fu attitude to do what other people think is important. Now I get to work with people who want to take their good life and make it great, and that is a fabulous feeling.

In the past I spent 10 years in the wine industry, and 7 in the music business.

I love seeing all the people that have had multiple jobs; I frequently think of myself as a member of the job of the month club. Must be an INFP thing.

I am currently in law school. I know, I know, the occupation of attorney is probably as adverse to the INFP personality as one can get. Unfortunately, I was not aware of this until I finished 2 years of law school. I'm not really sure how much I will enjoy working as an attorney, but I have decided that if I am completely unsatisfied I am going to switch careers. If that happens to be the case, I have an interest in teaching (undergraduate), writing, or opening a bookstore. Which brings up a question. I have always been told by professors, friends, and employers that I am an incredible writer, but I find it hard to actually sit down and focus on writing. Every time I have attempted to begin writing a novel, I give up after a few pages. I have great ideas for the story itself and can vividly see the scenes unfolding and can even recite the dialogue outloud to myself...I just cant focus on the writing. Don't get me wrong, when I need to write, I can. I have churned out 20+ page papers for school in a single night and never received a grade below an A on any of them. It just feels like I have to have a deadline breathing down my neck to get past the idea stage and into the actual writing stage. Any suggestions?

Hah!! I've had many of the jobs that have been posted here...I cringed actually, but I suppose the multi-jobs is an INFP thing.

Right now I am a nonprofit consultant, grant writer and with some continued work -- social entrepreneur. Despite my best efforts I can't seem to let go of my need to save the world, hence the nonprofit work.

I've done spiritual counseling, energy work, librarian, artist and writer. Right now on occassion I play a musician and spoken word artist.

As far as the what type of work I find fulfilling, anything that allows me some sense of freedom, and will allow me to work to help others acheive the best in their lives. I believe I'm nearly there with my current work.

Peace,
Spirit

I am a fitness professional based in NYC. It's funny, because if you told me 6 years ago I'd be doing that, I'd laugh at you.

I started out as an artist and graphic designer. I was out of shape at the time. Actually, I was obese. I joined a gym and lost 100lbs. I became an inspiration for other people in my life.

I decided to dedicate my life to helping others take back control of their health and their life.

Which is hard to do because it requires me to be more of an 'E'. (You mean I actually have to talk to people!?)

Currently, I'm a computer programmer. I have at times both hated and loved this career, but at the moment I'm with a great company and really do enjoy it.

I like the fact that I can work at my own pace and there are genuinely no set deadlines. I can even many times pick and choose which project I want to pursue at a given moment. There is a surprising amount of creativity involved in my profession and the fact that I can see the "big picture" better than most of my 'ST' co-workers helps a great deal in the way of problem solving. Most of the time I'm working by myself, but it's nice to have the other programmers and people around to talk to every now and again.

My last IT job involved sitting in an office by myself 8 hours a day and I couldn't stand it. The company was very unappreciative and, the attention needy person I am, I felt that I wasn't getting anything out of it and that they were only using me. My current place of work is much different. They make you feel as though you are contributing to a community rather than a company and there is always something going on to bring us together as a community. We even have our own charity supported entirely by our company and because of this I feel that in an indirect way I am supporting society. The owner doesn't need the money generated by this company and certainly is the standard CEO. You can tell he does what he does because he loves it. Sometimes I think it's not so much what you do as it is where you work.

On another note, other jobs I've found fulfilling: Jewelry salesperson (I got to help people, and didn't feel under pressure with sales goals like most sales jobs)

Jobs I hated: Teacher(thought I'd like it, but it turns out I couldn't handle the conflict and be the no. 1 enemy of students. I also adore my leisure time and abhor having to bring work home)

"Job"... at the moment I have 3 and am on my last class in a master's program for policy advocacy (social justice, idealist stuff)... and contemplating completing an undergraduate studio art major starting next semester. I have held a number of jobs in my decade on the job market. Non-profit, advocacy, social work-y stuff... which appealed to my helping/justice-seeking side - but also tended to overwhelm: I don't feel that I could ever be a therapist because I would constantly question the counsel I would give to clients, and the systems/institutions I would inevitablity become a part of. Finding my way in life is a long strange trip... like everything else. It seems like that I am somewhat happy if I am helping people or pursuing an ideal - traditionally, this means a social good, but lately I have been moving into an (a)vocational territory of artistic idealism... ?

tech support at a tiny ISP is my current job. was a film projectionist for years and years at an art cinema, but i aspire to get paid to write or edit for a living. that'd be nice.

I replied to this quite a long time ago, and have an update.

My main source of income right now is through being self-employed. I am teaching and performing such arts as poi and hooping. It is definitely what I want to do, if I can make it work, but at the same time it is the scariest thing I have done. The hardest part is the decision making, and uncertainty. But I completely love what I am doing, and it does not feel like "work" at all.

I work as a copywriter at an advertising agency, but in my spare time I write poetry and screenplays. I have yet to find a job that pays the bills that is also fulfilling.

i'm currently pursuing a degree in environmental science.
so you'll see me as an environmental advisor a few years from now ^.~

I wanted my career to center around writing and making music, but I hated everything about the music business and the publishing industry so I went ahead and did everything my way. I started a small publishing company to print and distribute my books. I give free lessons and workshops in person and on the web - and that ends up being free advertising for the books.

I make a decent living (I even have health insurance) and I can freely share my music at the same time.

Life is good.

i have been a

Interface Designer
Commercial Photographer
Creative Director
Software Engineer : R&D Cameras

Jack of all trades
I love to do new and challenging things

Self Employed bodyworker, massage therapist, writer ...

Is anyone out there into project management? I'm checking out that field to see if I might like it. Anyone have any thoughts --oops, I mean feelings about that?

I'm a computer engineer for a small consulting firm. I find technology and computers easy to deal with, but it's not something I love. I'm happiest when I work on multidisciplinary projects/problems, i.e. problems that require domain knowledge outside my field and I can learn new things. As part of my job, I also end up writing (technical articles, etc...). In the past, when worked at universities, I have enjoyed mentoring students on projects, etc... as well as filling in as teaching assistant. I fantasize about being a truck driver or bush pilot, I don't know why, since these are not typpical careers that infp engage in, I do like to drive/travel and experience new situations.

I'm studying as a PhD student in biostatistics. It's quite nice, even if I would like to be a doctor (medical)! I'm...or I'm supposed to be a bass player and I love self-made works!

i'm an administrative assistant for a nonprofit that serves mentally ill clients. i love it so far. i usually have the office to myself every morning where i read the paper, write free prose, or study my chemistry book.

i got my BA in philosophy, but i'm now preparing for a pre med program, to get me into a school, that'll enable me to be a psychiatrist. that's the plan. they say in psychiatry rotations, the doc sits down and talks to disturbed/depressed people for an hour at a time. and when i heard that, i was like, 'that's exactly what i want to do.' i love sophisticated problems of mind and body.

but my soul is in writing, ever since i was little brat. i have ADD, so i don't htink i could stand to write a novel. i'm trying to explore screenwriting ever since my brother has been trying to get me to edit his script for a short feature. i'm into abstract prose. not quite poetry. i don't know what the hell you'd call it. sometimes i write for a few hours, and put it away, the next day, i look back and think, 'what crap!' hence, i never get enough of this self-flagellation. i think it's just me talking about my feelings. that surely no one could care about but me. it can get quite depressing.

i have fanatasies about acting, directing, singing. sometimes i wonder if i am really okay in the head. but i've not enough passion to follow any one of these directions exclusively.

right now, i enjoy learning about balancing chemistry compounds and writing prose/memoir

I have three "jobs" all of them somewhat different in that they provide different workplaces and all of them the same in that they allow me to work unsupervised (my preference): paralegal (once a week visit to a courthouse); editor for a legal publishing company (this is freelance and at home); and working as a bookkeeper/CEO assistant in a woman-owned motorcycle store (my terrific boss keeps me there). All of these jobs involve attention to detail.

I often have an intuitive feel for editing; that is I can often feel where the errors on the page are located before I see them, as I turn the page. This made me a very fast editor when I worked in a publishing house. But that is a burn-out profession, which I am glad that I am not doing full-time anymore.

But I really do like people and helping them and can be really sociable outside of work. I could really see myself as an intuitive counselor. But I would always have to balance that sociability with a strong need for meditation alone or in a quiet group. Although I am an INFP/ENFP that occasionally tests as an INFJ, I could easily be a monk in a scriptorium.

I have had a number of psychic experiences throughout my adulthood. Recently I've been advising two of my siblings regarding career choices based on deep intuitive work supported by deeksha meditation and that's been going well. It's been more of a way of seeing what wasn't obvious to them or me when we consciously think about it, but when I go into meditation surprising pathways open up. It's like you can straighten out the path for people a bit and see through the forest to the other side.

Residential counselor for teenage girls.
B.S. in art therapy, maybe someday they'll let me use it (this is my first job post graduation)

I just started teaching drawing classes. At first I was miserable and guilty about being miserable because it sounded like a dream job, but it was exhausting dealing with huge groups at a time and being the center of attention and having to talk all the time and be a disciplinarian (they are young kids.) But when I stopped worrying and started having fun, it became amazing, and I could relax enough to start to get to know people individually instead of being blinded by them as a group. And I feel happy for the first time in a while.

I completely relate to the "putting on a role" image people keep using. I have to act very extroverted all day and constantly be on, and I do blast music on the way home to recover, as well.

I worked as a photographer for a while and LOVED it, except the company I worked for was not always honest in its portrayal of prices, and that got draining. I can't be part of any lie.

Before that: bookstore clerk, librarian. :)

in the past i was an electricians assistant, cat sitter/dog walker, concierge, bartender, welder's aid, carpenter's hand, legal secretary, drive-away (drove cars across the country, then took a greyhound to the next pickup locale), restaurant manger, sales clerk at a kink store, receptionist, cocktail waitress and more...

until i got tired of working jobs that didn't feel right.
decided to stop everything and go to school 10 years after dropping out of high school.

now i study and do the things which bring me passion, so i can undo the self-made binds which held me back from freedom... i write, dance, draw and invent projects around the senses, consciousness, the dreaming mind, the arts and education... so in the future i may teach others how to tap into their potential.

i will soon be participating in a not-for-profit in music, the arts and education, which will be my first chance to use my experiences and understanding to help others.

as i shift gears from going through the motions to creating, i am now directed toward finding work in a related field to supplement the rest of my endeavours.

Ive been told Im INFP and have worked in some pretty boring menial jobs.The trouble is I don't feel 'enough' like a people person to fill a lot of the roles I supposedly should?Rose, I like that thing you do to bring your blood on!

On terminal leave (all remaining vacation days at end of contract) from the Marine Corps - hated it.

Saw a lot of librarians, social worker-types, and writers on the thread, maybe some of that is more my speed.

I'm currently studying to be an occupational therapist and work in a homeless shelter part-time, previous to this current degree i completed a degree in business studies, which on having completed it i was very near to having a nervous break down. about 1 year ago i completed one of the many personality test available on the internet and which indicated i was an infp but because at time i was still unsure of who i actually was i refused to take it as gospel. today, as a distract from the mounting university work i have to do i decided to re-take the the test and i am still an infp. just wondering if any one else has experienced problems with alcohol abuse? i certainly have since i was 19 years old usually to avoid the nagging feeling of "nobody liking me" in the deep dark part of my soul!!i have cut down over the past number of months and really loving the quality time i spend by myself!!oh the banal its great to have you back!!

Montessori teacher

My deep dark secret is that I support my husbands career and still feel highly unfulfilled.

I'm a librarian & writer...love it!

Web developer as my day job (both design and development mostly C#, ASP and PHP)

Entrepreneur wanna-be which is working out better than I had expected.

Do I find either of those things fulfilling? Not particularly. They're fun and challenging, but I've never considered any type work all that fulfilling. Honestly, I'd rather be on beach doing nothing.

Hi INFPs. I'm glad this topic keeps going because I'm currently going through an inner turmoil about my job.

I'm a grad student in Global Gender Studies, aspiring to be a professor....I work in a group home on the side for teenage girls with mental health issues....

I think I should just get my Master's in Education and teach English in high school and call it a day. I'm sadly realizing that I don't think I'm disciplined enough to be a full blown academic. I'm a new student and the people in my current grad program are intimidating and pretentious to say the least...

I saw a few of your were teachers. What subjects? Did you struggle finding a job? (I imagine it would be easier to find a teaching job than a tenured professor in women's studies gig, right??) Maybe as I'm getting older now, I'm more concerned with just selling out to capitalism and making "decent" money, instead of living off student loans and dreaming about teaching at a liberal arts school and writing on the side, eh?

Thanks for your time my beloved INFPs!

Character Animator / Adjunct Assistant Professor of 3D Modeling and Computer Animation / Graphic Artist / Illustrator / Fine Artist / Animation Student / Computer Animation Mentor / Father of a 3-year-old son / Overall Wannabe & Slacker

this post is more than two year old now; thats awesome.

I am still looking for a job that gives me fulfillment. Like many of the other posts here, my employment past is checkered. Labourer, grocery store, auto parts maker, CAD designer, engineering, GIS.....I've also worked in TV and film which was quite fun but alot less stable then the others.

I am starting a new job soon and already feel as if it won't jive with my INFP. But the bottom line is that I am against a wall in terms of money and need to suck it up. Although I have got better at planning in recent years, its still a shortcoming I wish I never had. I tend to get distracted easily, find it hard to stick to one thing (like learning 3Ds max, animation is what I think I should be doing!) and get bored easily unless I really care about what I am doing. This has already been one source which made my marriage/engagement crumble so I hope I can finally get over this hurdle.

Anyone have advice? Like someone else said, INFP tend to have their heads in the clouds but so far it hasn't helped me.

I'm an accountant - an audit manager for a small firm of chartered accountants.

I don't find it at all rewarding, and I have only just been "typed" so I'm starting to realise why ;-) I do a lot of voluntary work for charities on the governance side of things which is much more fulfilling and keeps me more balanced.

I feel a career change coming on........

Hopefully I will be able to move into the voluntary sector. Helping people seems to motivate me the most :-)

Im borderline INTP/INFP meaning i get both scores depending upon (it seems) my mood. I have been firmly focused on international politics and development since before going to college. I most recently worked for an international legal development organization (NGO) and my main career aspirations are to work in international relations as an ambassador or high level official/manager of an international organizations. My main motivations seem to be my love of international travel, idealism, and a certain sense of superiority, my INTP coming through.

I totally related to the people who said that they love the written word. It's always been in the back of my mind to write someday. Every so often I write the first few or last few pages of a novel or screenplay in my head and it seems like I'm not the only one.

I also appreciate the people who said that they like to work in serenity, I have been known to go to work early or stay late not because I have to but because I find myself so much more productive which I'm alone. That said I dread the idea of a job without human interaction as I always find it incredibly fulfilling to be helpful to someone whether in regard to my formal capacity or not.

I wonder if anyone has any recommendations on overcoming the problems of sometimes being an abstract, head-in-the-clouds thinker and I know in my case somewhat indecisive person in their working life.

Hello I recently found out I am an INFP. Life now makes more sense now.I started my own business 4 years ago ,and it has been a beating ,this year because of the housing market,but it has given me the time to explore who I am . I really want to help,or inspire people.Actually be myself.I don care much for material things,the things I have make me wonder who really owns who?Anyhow thanks for listening. Love Lloyd.

current job: tech support for a local isp

past jobs include: server, environmental activist/canvasser, customer service for a bank, worked at an animal kennel, did surveys over the phone, more customer service for another place..........


all of these are just jobs though......just a way to survive........I would really love to become independent on making it as a writer........

Thank you...ALL of you. God bless you for sharing your job journeys. I feel inspired and excited about what's possible. I'm finally speaking my truth and breaking free from a job that just doesn't fit. I like my steady and substantial paychecks, but that's pretty much all that I like about my job. And it's just not enough anymore. I was beginning to become really depressed about it all until I found this thread. I'm not alone...yay! My mind is racing with a million different ways to make money AND be happy. THANK YOU for sharing.

porn star

For the last couple of years I've been supervising customer service reps in a call center. I'd say it's a difficult environment for an INFP - it's crowded and quite noisy, and my own position is very visible. With the many meetings, interruptions, and angry customers, it can be overly stimulating, even scary. There's not much opportunity to apply those favored qualities NF types possess in that sort of job, although I do get one-to-one meetings with my staff in which I can "counsel" them. That part is particularly rewarding with new-hires. I wish to leave it, it's a living for now. Fact is, I'm still dreaming about an ideal occupation just as I did twenty years ago when I was a college student.

Dancer (solo preferred, the politics of dance companies can be awful)

Retail - Family-owned with high quality products - something I believe in, but can be draining sticking to a tight schedule and dealing with the high stress environment (to make ends meet)

Gardener - Organic of course
Pondering my next landscape project
Environmentalist

Making things beautiful - if they are not they drive me crazy
Home Decorating
Crafts

Doing anything I believe in strongly, although I don't show it, alone or with a small group of close friends that share my values

Nitpicking
Thinking way too much
Being alone

Aspiring Nutritionist, Fashion Designer, Therapist... hmmm, maybe I'll do them all!

Indecisive World Traveler =)

I am a critical care nurse. My other job is being a mom. To my friends and others, I am a life coach, (that's what they call me). I have this great need to make people feel whole.

When I was in college, I worked at a library and as a staff photographer at the school paper. Being a photographer was my favorite job yet. But, that's not what I majored in. I didn't end up making use of my social science degree, unfortunately, and ended up in IT because I was good at troubleshooting and learning new applications. And it pays well.

I went from desktop support to systems administration. I eventually grew to hate both. Doing help desk/desktop support, I started disliking people and fixing their problems, which I enjoyed at first. I moved up to systems admin, thinking it would be better, as I would have less user interaction. Hated it even more. I got no satisfaction out of it and started to dislike the material.

So, I recently learned that I'm an INFP. I am now looking into making a career change into something more satisfying, even though I might not get back to my current salary level. I might even go back to being a...yep, you guessed it...photographer. It wouldn't pay much, but it really appeals to my artistic/aesthetic side. I also felt actual job satisfaction on a regular basis just seeing my pics published.

i'm a recreation major. I enjoy being outdoors, even if it's raining.

I have worked in IT for most of my life. In my early 20's, I used to to test as INTJ, and this seemed to suit me well to the finite nature of computing and problem-solving. My well-ordered vista fell apart with my first turbulent, passionate relationship. My simple, cognitive framework had to be adapted to accommodate a world of feelings and fuzzy thinking, imperfect knowledge and concurrent contradictions. Thus my familiarity with feelings grew, and thus my tendency to grow into my INFP persona.

I came from a maths/science background, so I didn't consider English my strong point, nor creativity of any kind. But what I noticed over the years was how strongly I needed to have job roles where creativity thrived. I hated the order and structure of operational admin roles. Actually, "hated" is not a strong enough word - it was simply intolerable. I would feel like I was trying to crawl out of my own skin.

I ran my own business for many years, which was a real joy for the most part. I loved serving my customers in harmony with my core values. A few years ago, I rejoined the corporate work force and once again managed to carve out a niche IT role suited to me. Then I was poached and my new manager put me into a process role until he witnessed my personality submerge into profound depression. Eventually, he figured it out and discovered the right place to put me. I'm now thriving in my current specialty and have moved onto another workplace.

The thing that marks out these niches is: creativity; a chaos to tame; a complex body of knowledge to master; direct beneficial relevance of my work to people.

In line with what other people have said about writing, I've gradually become aware that I have some real strengths in writing. It pours out of me effortlessly and I think naturally in metaphor. I have no doubt I will become a writer during the next few years.

I'm beginning an internship sort of thing with a state park. :-)

I am in Geographic Information Systems(/Science).... or just GIS. It is like IT work but with a focus on mapping. I work for a local government doing surveying and mapping. It requires a good knowledge of computers and data management. I've been doing it for about 10 years and I feel completely stuck. I tested as an INFP about 7 years ago, and I then realized that I am not a data/ numbers person. And I can't stand the fact that I spend more time in front of a computer than with people. I am not out going or social but I do like to connect with people 1-on-1. The worst part of my job is that it has no value to me. The data that we collect makes it easier for engineers to run storm-water modeling applications, which are used to support construction, flood protection, and conservation. That's all good but I am so far removed from the end result that it has not meaning to me. There is a lot of waste of money and time in government too which bothers me a lot. I am not sure if that is an INFP thing or not. The only good thing about my job is that I work independently and I have a lot of flexibility. I can spend a whole week learning something new. I can also go for walks or coffee whenever I please. But again I hate knowing that I could miss a whole week of work and no one would notice I wasn't there. I don't deal with money or paperwork either which is nice.
So I am seriously trying to find a way out of my current career but I am so confused. My wife doesn't really support me with any ideas for a new career so I am glad this forum exists. I have thought about ministry or counseling but I really don't want to go back to school. I already have 2 degrees. Really what I'd like to do is something artistic like become a potter or a writer, but I don't know where to start. Funny thing is that I am not a great writer and I am not artistic. But I think I do have a good eye for design. However, I have 3 kids to support and my wife needs me to keep my current salary, so we can maintain our lifestyle. I just think it would be awesome going to work for myself knowing that everything I put into my work will come back to me. I guess another secret of mine is that I like to dance, but I have no idea whether I am good or not because I don't dance in public. Anyways...If anyone out there has a suggestion I am all ears (eyes). Thanks.

Thats all really interesting. I am quite young in my 3rd year of college still dont know what i want to do!! Im studying Childhood Education but am also very interested in photography and working deeper into helping others. Thinking of doing child psychology and will probably go onto study more psychology or counselling .Not sure though!!!!!!!! =(

I am currently a stay-at-home Mom but before that I was a preschool teacher and loved it! I'm going back to school to become a K-3 teacher next year (better pay), and my long term dream is to be a children's librarian. I'd also love to write children's books but haven't gotten into the "space" to do that quite yet.

I work at a Costco Food Court. lol. I love it! There's always so much different stuff to do, so I never get bored with routine, and I love helping people out when they want the day off, or finding win-win situations for angry or upset members. lol. (There's quite a bit in the area I work.lol) It's fun, and the time flies, and I also like it, because I don't have to think as much because of how fast we have to be. I am now getting involved with volunteer work as a tutor, as well as feeding the homeless, helping the abused, and many other things. lol. I LOVE the volunteer work the most!! =)
Hoping to be a screenwriter, maybe actor someday.. or cinematographer.. but those are the big dreams. lol. Right now, (I'm 19) trying to figure out if I want to be a teacher, psychologist, Counselor... or write music. haha

Is anybody else here my age? Or at least around it? lol

The fact that I do what I do for a living, as an INFP, is a constant source of confusion/bemusement/nausea/occasional mirth.

I feel as if I am wearing the INFP equivalent of Groucho Marx glasses right now as I write this (you know, for anonymity):

I am an accountant.

Oh, sorry... just reread the OP and noticed the word "fulfilling".

Never mind.

My background is in International Relations...I wanted to see if there was any INFPs working in this field. Im interested in hearing what their experiences are. I'm brainstorming for ideas so to speak

NGO work sounds lovely, I did an internship at one and have mixed feelings as a result....

The inner politics that can go on in the government aren't much of a turn on at this point

I think our service oriented nature goes well with IR...does anyone have ideas/experiences in this area?