Careers for Antisocial & Loner types? (apply, work, paid, how to)

[bradleyyo]

Wow OP, you sound like me! I am also 22 and have been going to college since 2009. I keep changing my mind about what I want to do. Math is my weak area so I really can not imagine doing anything math related like accounting or engineering.

Look at Pharmacy as a career. As a pharmacist you can work primarily on your own but you aren't locked to a desk or cubicle. Pay is good too. Not much writing involved though.

[Sage 80]

Mail carrier

[branDcalf]

Heavy equipment operator.
Driving a road grader in rural areas.
Fencing contractor.
Ranch or farm hand.
Technician monitoring oil wells, oil pipeline pumpstations.
Monitoring water flow in the west for states.
Driving a dump truck (one of the huge ones) at a mine.

[Moe'sTavern]

Originally Posted by bradleyyo

Wow OP, you sound like me! I am also 22 and have been going to college since 2009. I keep changing my mind about what I want to do. Math is my weak area so I really can not imagine doing anything math related like accounting or engineering.

Look at Pharmacy as a career. As a pharmacist you can work primarily on your own but you aren't locked to a desk or cubicle. Pay is good too. Not much writing involved though.

Unless you work as a store pharmacist then not much solitude there.

[eyewrist]

Originally Posted by picklejuice

Here are a few suggestions I don't think people have given yet:

gravedigger
mortician (you can usually hire people to front the 'dealing with live folks' part of it)
denturist

Mortician is great suggestion. You can also go into research in the field of your choice. Doing research, you have to deal with a set of people on a regular basis but you will need your PhD. What about a geologists, historian, librarian would isolate you from people on a regular basis

[Lilac110]

Are you inclined toward the medical arts? You can work in the basement of a hospital as a pathologist. Or you can work in a medical examiner's office. Just you, the body, and your little friend the Stryker saw...

[ellie]

Originally Posted by redhead360

I naturally dislike people, and people don't like me. I'm a 22 year old college student and like many college students, I have no idea what to do with my life. All I know so far is that I prefer a career that doesn't involve with a lot of social interaction with people. I can socialize with people fairly well when I want to but in mostly short bursts and not 24/7. I know I seem like I'm a grumpy ******* but I'm actually fairly nice and really caring towards other people, some people even come to me for advice and I'd never refuse to give someone a helping hand if they need someone to talk to or vent to. I'm in no way perfect though, as I come off as eccentric and socially awkward and very few people accept that. It's one of the reasons why I prefer being alone most of the time I can, although I do have a handful of people I consider acquaintances, I just prefer keeping people at a distance. I'm normally creative, I love writing, video games, music, and just going for walks (Jesus this sounds like a corny ass dating profile :I ). Anyways, I'm just having a hard time figuring what to focus on in college, being here since 2009 makes me frustrated, and the fact I'm becoming so bitter dealing with these college kids everyday makes me even more angry. I'm doing some career and personality assessments that are narrowing down some possible choices, but I'm not too sure, I feel unmotivated even though I've done internships and job shadowing.

Quick advice: you might outgrow some of your antisocial feelings in a few years. It's not unusual to feel this way in college.

Personality tests can shift over time, especially if you're feeling especially gruff when you take one.

That being said, what do the career assessments tell you?

[eyewrist]

Originally Posted by Lilac110

Are you inclined toward the medical arts? You can work in the basement of a hospital as a pathologist. Or you can work in a medical examiner's office. Just you, the body, and your little friend the Stryker saw...

Don't forget research microbiologist...now that's the ulimate job for a introvert/loner.

[124c41]

Originally Posted by branDcalf

Heavy equipment operator.
Driving a road grader in rural areas.
Fencing contractor.
Ranch or farm hand.
Technician monitoring oil wells, oil pipeline pumpstations.
Monitoring water flow in the west for states.
Driving a dump truck (one of the huge ones) at a mine.

Some of these occupations I know, having been involved doing them for many years, give a person the option of dealing with people in a limited capacity. There isn't anything wrong in your desire to limit contact with others. My wife and I, having lived by ourselves for so many years have designed our lives around she and I, although, we, too, do enjoy people, but we have found we prefer them in measured doses.

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by redhead360

I naturally dislike people, and people don't like me. I'm a 22 year old college student and like many college students, I have no idea what to do with my life. All I know so far is that I prefer a career that doesn't involve with a lot of social interaction with people. I can socialize with people fairly well when I want to but in mostly short bursts and not 24/7. I know I seem like I'm a grumpy ******* but I'm actually fairly nice and really caring towards other people, some people even come to me for advice and I'd never refuse to give someone a helping hand if they need someone to talk to or vent to. I'm in no way perfect though, as I come off as eccentric and socially awkward and very few people accept that. It's one of the reasons why I prefer being alone most of the time I can, although I do have a handful of people I consider acquaintances, I just prefer keeping people at a distance. I'm normally creative, I love writing, video games, music, and just going for walks (Jesus this sounds like a corny ass dating profile :I ). Anyways, I'm just having a hard time figuring what to focus on in college, being here since 2009 makes me frustrated, and the fact I'm becoming so bitter dealing with these college kids everyday makes me even more angry. I'm doing some career and personality assessments that are narrowing down some possible choices, but I'm not too sure, I feel unmotivated even though I've done internships and job shadowing.

Well many careers come to mind. But right now, lets rule out sales. Then we will be off to a good start.

From what you have written, these careers come to mind -

writer - the penultimate career for the solipsistic

editor - it's related

therapist - yes you read right. Many are not exactly people persons. But one person at a time? They can handle that. They are also private people, and many are eccentric and a tad socially awkward.
I went to one once who constantly wore mismatched socks. I mean really mismatched. When I pointed it out to him he laughed and said he hadn't noticed, but even if they didn't match, the covered his feet which "is what I look for in a sock". OK.

If you decide on this there are many ways to go - MD - psychiatrist, MSW - clinical social worker, PhD or PsyD - clinical psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner.

College professor - they know a lot but generally are practically hermits. I have 2 good friends who do this for a living and getting either of them to go to a movie or out shopping is a major operation.
Forget about parties. they don't do parties. Phd or MA/S at smaller or community colleges.

museum curator - you can organize your displays and be grouchy when people lean on glass cases or touch paintings. usually you need an MA

Librarian - you books and computers! You can do that. Also you can say "shhhhh!!!" and act annoyed when someone asks for the bathroom key. requires an MLS

Something working with or for animals or children. They both might not annoy you as much as regular people do.

Best of luck and let me know what you think.