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Thanks for all the replies so far. I read the report for my test, and actually spatial ability isn't what the test I did well in measures. According to my test, my best is actually abstract reasoning. Google helped me out a little (reasoning with non concrete subjects/items and spotting patterns) so I'm a little closer. It didn't have any suggestions for a career though.
I think that ideally interests and aptitudes have to intersect, although I'm having trouble finding the path. I don't think I have the creative flair for Architecture, but I will look into it.
A few people have mentioned that I might be good at Computer programming, and I have done a few courses and tried it out, but I don't really like it.
Have you considered something like CAD? As designers develop skill, they also develop creativity. You never know where it will lead.
mostalee--I don't know where you are in life as far as education but, sometimes a little education can be a tremendous help in finding out what you would like to do. Even part time study at a two year College can broaden your interests.
The options are many, but many young people don't have the opportunity to find out what they are.
I was lucky. When I was in my early twenties, a friend gave me a book that was a simple/layman's presentation of some major biological experiments. I was a single mom, very little money, working full-time as a waitress. But the book was so interesting that I took a Bio class at the local Junior College.
Now, years later, I'm a molelcular biologist at a noted University. My work isn't "always" interesting--but it usually is.
I wish there was a simple way to let all young people know that there are many options. You are smart to think about what they might be.
And I agree with those that say do what you love, because that means you will put in the time and effort to be good at it.
Do you like to work with your head or your hands or both?
Do you prefer to work with people or alone?
Do you want to do the same thing every day or have more variety in your tasks?
Do you want to work at the same place every day or different places?
Do you prefer to work indoors or outdoors or a mixture?
Clarifying HOW you want to work can help you decide WHAT you want to do. Just because you have more choices due to your intellect doesn't mean that you would find that work satisfying.
A gentleman named Matthew Crawford recently wrote a book about how he finally found job satisfaction working on motorcycles. This after finding that his degree funneled him into mindless, dead-end jobs that sucked his soul out. His book is called Shop Class As Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work. There is a good article about it at the NYTimes site: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/ma...24labor-t.html
Thankyou for that. I'm constantly trying to open myself up by reading different books and magazines.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lhpartridge
Do you like to work with your head or your hands or both?
I need to have mental stimulation, that's for sure. But I get bored very easily and seem to be more suited to short term projects rather than things that take a long time or are stretched over a long period of time. I also do like to have some movement in what I do. I am a bit like a flea and am always jumping around.
Do you prefer to work with people or alone?
I don't mind people (to a point). I HATE customer service or contact with the public. I seem to be too sensitive to deal with how hostile and aggressive they can be. I much prefer either my own company or similar minded idividuals.
Do you want to do the same thing every day or have more variety in your tasks?
I think there has to be a variety, but then not just a string of dull tasks. More like interesting short term projects.
Do you want to work at the same place every day or different places?
I think the same place with minimal travelling.
Do you prefer to work indoors or outdoors or a mixture?
Indoors, definitely.
Clarifying HOW you want to work can help you decide WHAT you want to do. Just because you have more choices due to your intellect doesn't mean that you would find that work satisfying.
Absolutely. I'm not a genius by any means, I just seem to railroad myself into stupid choices based on what other people think I should be able to rise to, too.
A gentleman named Matthew Crawford recently wrote a book about how he finally found job satisfaction working on motorcycles. This after finding that his degree funneled him into mindless, dead-end jobs that sucked his soul out. His book is called Shop Class As Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work. There is a good article about it at the NYTimes site: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/ma...24labor-t.html
I read the article. Interesting, definitely. I may order the book, I'm reading through all the reviews right now.
It has actually been quite useful to answer the questions you posed, and if anyone has any input that would be brilliant.
You may have several interests and some of them may merge into a career and others may not. A piece of advice I found helpful was to look around your room to see what sorts of books you own to see if there is a pattern there. Another is to pay attention when you are doing a particular thing if the time seems to fly by unnoticed. What were you doing, looking at, researching?
I would echo kodaka’s suggestion about thinking at professions that enhance your spatial aptitude and abilities which can also include game design or graphic design since you already seem to gravitate and like computers. Continue to pay attention to what really interest you and then work from that on how you can study and create a career or profession from that.
I would also concur that MBTI is a good way to explore your personality and the test, when properly administered gives you a really good indication of what that type likes to do in regards to profession or hobbies. "Do What You Are" is a really good book to start looking at what you like to do—and if your college or career center has it—do an Interests or Career inventory as well as an exploratory tool.
I'd be willing to bet a little money that OP is INTP. I just got a hunch from reading him/her.
You have some good options listed here. Research, science, technical writing, and computer programming are a few options for this personality type.
The number assigned to various IQs measures an invidiuals average logic; ability to reason analytically.
That means...every one has a number that represents their IQ and everyone's IQ differs from each other (duh, right? I know). BUT that number does not mean that is the highest or lowest you can reason analytically on a given subject because you also need acquired knowledge plus passion on the subject in order to modivate yourself to reason analytically to your fullest on said subject. On average, you can reason more analytically than the average people on a given subject even if you possess equal knowledge and passion with them. If however, you are non-passionate in a subject, you will not bother your time with reasoning analytically so the average person may pass you up in that subject that you will feel you are wasting your time on as you may deem it as an idle subject. On the opposite end of the stick, you can reason analytically beyond your IQ as long as you have the passion to obtain, and access to, the knowledge to do so. That ability comes more easily to you than the average person because you have a higher IQ.
That brings me to answer your question as to which jobs would be best for you. The best jobs for any individual is one that challenges them in a subject that they are passion about in a way that allows them to continue to obtain knowledge about that subject as to not bore them in the long run.
Find your deepest passions and find jobs that allow to develop your ability to reason analytically in such a way that you are challenged to strive to grow those passions into a career. Do not chase the ideas and ideas of those around you as to what you SHOULD do rather focus on what fills yourself with a sense of pride and being or else you will feel the long hum drum of life more so than most because your ability to reason analytically will force you to linger on those thoughts and think more deeply on them more than most would.
abstract reasoning post:
I would think that I would describe it as being able to foresee patterns by looking at the past and present sequentially and be able to more likely be able to predict future. That would be a good trait no matter where you turn as you will be able to look at say marketing strategies and be able to choose the best course of action with ease and must less analyzing than others. You can look at a gazillion sales sheets and be able to come up with solutions for weak areas in ways that others could never put together. You can look at a process and know in a short time the flaws and ways to fix them. The type of jobs you can get are endless.
Some not as strong in your traits might have had a light bulb go off by now and they'd know exacly what to do for their career. However, I suspect that you are strong in the deliberative, and obviously analytical, traits and that forces you to think more deeply on the subject. The benefit of this is that you can anticipate obstacles that other may not in a course of action, side stepping options that would provide futures problems better than others. You are vigilant and proceed with caution. Because you are anyltical, you are all but forced beyond your control to research to verify and have to see the proof, seeking multiple avenues for you answers (ie IQ test, Google, this forum on this subject). You must, in your mind, access all available options to acquire your proof and, coupled with your deliberative caution, you feel compelled to get what is in your mind out to others who might think like you to make sure you have not over looked something.
The truth is, you are doing just fine. Keep on your course of analyzing and being cautious as to the route you will take but also not allowing it to consume you for it will rout you. You must become confident that your decisions are the right ones. You will, even though unconsciously at times and on the spur of the moment on others, have back up plans B, C, and D that will either allow you to back out or take another path.
I am sure you do well with computer programming but I also believe that it may be a hobby that consumes time but does not challenge you in a way that allowes you to develop that logic of yours. I think you possess the skills to step outside of that is normal as far as a career is concerned and it is that out of the box thinking that is leaving you stumped. I think that you need to search more within yourself and lay out what makes you passionate and then strive to strengthen that bit of yourself. No one here will have that answer and something also tells me that many in your own personal life do not have the answer. I gather that from you saying something about having frivolous hobbies. You would not find them frivolous in you indeed found them enjoyable which gives me the sense that you do what is normal as a way to fit in with those closest to you because they do not, can not, and will not understand that part of you. That makes me suspect at well that you are searching for a job that requires less risk but also fulfills all that I have already mentioned as a way to keep on certain terms with those around you.
You are new here...something tells me we might have met before...
Mostalee:
Architecture and game design are careers that rely heavily on abstract reasoning (patterns, similarities, shapes and figures) in addition to spatial fluency, thus the initial suggestions offered are actually in keeping with the strengths that you listed. Since you don’t prefer programmer, which may require code crunching, software architect may be more broadening in that you actually design of the code for the program. You still use computers, however your approach is over arching.
Still, based on the information you provided, if you scored well in Abstract, you have the ability to think quickly, manage new skills an information and can look at the bigger picture, therefore your career options are only limited by your imagination and your own interests. You will have to do the work and decide what interests you could parlay into a viable field. Starting with a career inventory and personality questionnaire is a great way to generate new ideas.
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Originally Posted by CMichele
I'd be willing to bet a little money that OP is INTP. I just got a hunch from reading him/her.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CMichele
You have some good options listed here. Research, science, technical writing, and computer programming are a few options for this personality type.
Thanks. Actually I would peg the OP as more of an I(E) S T P type and based on some of his criteria I actually don’t think he would like technical writing but something else computer related since that is his interest.
Possible Career Paths for the ISTP:
Police and Detective Work
Forensic Pathologists
Computer Programmers, System Analysts and Computer Specialists
But I do agree with you that MBTI is a an excellent personality tool to start with. It really does give the person a new way at evaluating their personality and interests.
Hold on. You're the one with the high IQ and you're asking us dumbazzes what to do?
Just kidding.
Take an aptitude and personality test, such as the Myers-Briggs already mentioned.
And to clarify, IQ tests are given to people of all ages. Primarily they are used for school-aged kids up to 18 years of age.
OK, just read a bit more of the prior posts, more clarification needed:
IQ tests are not strictly about logic (fluid reasoning). That's roughly 20 to 25 percent of it, leaving a large 75 percent for other cognitive processes such as Associative Memory (Long Term Memory, Long-Term Retrieval), Short-Term Memory (including Working Memory), Phonemic Awareness, Processing Speed, Visual-Spatial Skills and Verbal Reasoning (Crystallized Ability). This last cognitive process and Fluid Reasoning are most closely associated with what is generally considered to be overall intelligence.
Last edited by Snort; 11-25-2009 at 11:46 PM..
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). BUT that number does not mean that is the highest or lowest you can reason analytically on a given subject because you also need acquired knowledge plus passion on the subject in order to modivate yourself to reason analytically to your fullest on said subject. On average, you can reason more analytically than the average people on a given subject even if you possess equal knowledge and passion with them. If however, you are non-passionate in a subject, you will not bother your time with reasoning analytically so the average person may pass you up in that subject that you will feel you are wasting your time on as you may deem it as an idle subject. On the opposite end of the stick, you can reason analytically beyond your IQ as long as you have the passion to obtain, and access to, the knowledge to do so. That ability comes more easily to you than the average person because you have a higher IQ.
