Career
About two years ago I was working as a computer programmer in a small company. My college studies were in this exact field, I was getting full-time hours, and my superiors were pretty easy-going. But, something was really bothering me about the job. People would ask me how my job was going and I would say something like ‘as far as computer jobs go, I have a really good deal.’ It was like a needed a disclaimer before I could say anything good about it.
My father was (and still is) a career counselor, so he let me take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This was a real eye-opener for me. It turned out my personality type, INFP, needs his/her career and personal life to be closely linked. I can’t, for example, do a job I don’t like just for the money. I also can’t do a job I don’t feel good about, or a job that is not helpful to people. Here is a brief synopsis of the INFP type:
INFP
Idealistic, loyal to their values and to people who are important to them. Want an external life that is congruent with their values. Curious, quick to see possibilities, can be catalysts for implementing ideas. Seek to understand people and to help them fulfill their potential. Adaptable, flexible, and accepting unless a value is threatened.
That really says a lot doesn’t it? So, why was I not happy at work? I wasn’t helping anyone. A good day at work would be when I felt as if I were helping my bosses. But, if they decided my current project wasn’t beneficial, I would feel down about my work. It was all about the personal relationships, and feelings of accomplishment – those were the things that inspired me. But, these good things weren’t happening enough. The conclusion, it’s a great job… for someone else.
