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No one would ever put “event manager” on a list of the best jobs for introverts. As a fellow introvert, I bet you are already cringing at the thought.
I am an introvert, and I worked as an assistant event manager for a few years. While I dreaded it most days, the positive side is that I learned a lot about project management when all was said and done.
I try and hang on to that as I recall my disdain for all the social interaction that was required: the incessant ringing of my phone and the busy environment when we set up for an event with all the people around me, everyone wanting a piece of me because I had the info they needed (#infocenter101).
If you want to avoid what I experienced for those three years, and would much rather stay as far away as possible from jobs better suited for extroverts, you’ll find a comprehensive career list of jobs suitable for introverts right here.
What You Will Learn
What Is an Introvert?
Introversion is a personality trait that’s often seen to be the opposite of extroversion. People who identify with an introversion personality type are called introverts, meaning they tend to turn inward by focusing more on their feelings, thoughts, and ideas. Introverts also thrive in environments with minimal stimulation because they will experience an “introvert hangover”… feeling completely drained after they’ve spent time with too many people, or had too much social interaction.
No one is quite sure about what causes people to be introverts, extroverts, or ambiverts (yes that is also a thing). The cause of introversion could be a result of physiology or genetics, where you are born with a certain personality type. Or it could be a product of your environment, as in how you were raised, your life experiences and education.
A study found that an introvert’s brain works a little differently when compared to an extrovert’s brain. When an extrovert is in a social environment, they get an excited or pleasure buzz, so their dopamine (the chemical messenger responsible for how we feel pleasure) levels spike. Introverts are more sensitive to dopamine, so highly sociable events aren’t enjoyable. With lower levels of dopamine, an introvert feels drained and uncomfortable.
Introverts also have an increased blood flow to their frontal lobe, which helps them solve problems, plan, and remember. They prefer to focus inward and not get busy socializing outside their mind and comfort zone.
Personality Traits of an Introvert
Here are the personality traits of introversion:
Introversion also has 4 subtypes, so you likely fall into one of these categories:
- The anxious introvert – like alone time; feels awkward around people
- The restrained introvert – think before making a decision
- The social introvert – prefer small groups
- The thinking introvert – think a lot; daydreamer type; creative imagination
Is Introversion Bad?
The pandemic and lockdowns around the world have highlighted what an extroverted culture a traditional workplace is, especially since introverts thrived when they could work from home.
A BBC article said it best: “The workplace was created by extroverts, for extroverts,” which is also why it feels like introverts are destined to fail in so-called extroverted careers and environments. Plus, it’s why introversion has such a bad rep – and being an introvert isn’t a bad thing at all.
Misconceptions and labeling introverts as “reserved,” “shy,” “arrogant,” “unfriendly,” “unable to be a leader,” “people haters,” “too serious,” and “rude” don’t help. Introverts are misunderstood by extroverts, who outnumber introverts at a ratio of 3:1.
But being an introvert isn’t a character flaw. In fact, in some ways it’s considered to be a strength, despite society telling you there is something wrong with you. You can be successful in your workplace, whether it’s more suitable for extroverts or introverts, because the power of self-acceptance helps you leverage your gifts and feel free to be yourself.
In Good Company.
Ever wonder if famous people could be introverts? Most definitely! And there are quite a lot of famous introverts, from way back in history to today. If you are interested in reading more about famous introverts, we have an article on them.
But for now, we will whet your appetite with ten of my personal favs:
- Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady, diplomat, and activist
- Steven Spielberg, film director
- Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder
- Meryl Streep, actress
- Rosa Parks, civil rights hero
- Albert Einstein, scientist
- Mahatma Gandhi, renowned leader
- Ingrid Bergman, actress
- Sir Alfred Hitchcock, film director
- Sir Isaac Newton, scientist
17 Best Jobs for Introverts
Working in a career that is better suited for introverts surely makes life easier, so I’ve compiled a list of the best jobs for introverts.
1. Writer
Basic Overview
Since introverts are usually better at expressing themselves with the written word, becoming a writer is ideal for an introvert. There’s a wide possibility of jobs for writers, from creative writing and technical guides to web content and copywriting. Both in-house and independent contractor writers need to liaise with their clients or bosses, so some social interaction is required, but for the most part, writers are independent and can deeply think about their content creation process.
Average Salary
$42,502-$55,000/annum or more
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
2. Editor
Basic Overview
As an editor, you can specialize in copyediting, proofreading, developmental editing, structural editing, line editing, and content editing where you work with books, web content, white papers, marketing material, and more.
Depending on the type of editing you do, you are responsible for checking the little things like punctuation, grammar, and spelling to bigger elements like continuity, overall soundness, character development, and more.
You can work as an independent contractor, at a magazine, corporate company, or publishing house. When working on the content, you typically work by yourself but you need to interact with your boss or client.
Average Salary
$35,904-$133,000/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
3. Content Manager
Basic Overview
Content managers work with an agency or client(s) to decide on content for their website, social media platforms, etc. They are responsible for all aspects of content creation – topic and keyword research, SEO strategy, briefs and style guides for writers and editors, and publishing or delivering content to clients.
Most of these responsibilities are done remotely and also calls on an introvert’s preference for writing.
Average Salary
$63,314/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
4. Translator
Basic Overview
Fluent in more than one language? You can consider becoming a translator, whether you have general skills or technical expertise, and translate documents or conversations from one language to another.
Translating transcribed or written materials means you get to work mostly by yourself and on a flexible basis. You can also become a translator for diplomats or business officials, but this means there’s more social interaction.
Average Salary
$52,330/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
5. Social Media Manager
Basic Overview
A social media manager works for an agency, content producing company, or several clients to promote the company, services, and products on social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and others. Working behind the scenes (perfect for an introvert, right?), these managers are responsible for reaching new leads or customers, engaging with the company's followers and fans, creating social media content and a content calendar, and more.
Average Salary
$55,314/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
6. Photographer
Basic Overview
A photographer is someone who captures images via a camera, and while this can sound boring, photographs get to be creative with how shots are composed. Plus, there are various niches in photography you can specialize in: weddings, babies, family gatherings, fine art, portrait, commercial, modeling and fashion, sports, aerial, and even scientific photography.
You may interact with your subjects, clients, or helpers to set up the shots, but for the most part, photographers get to work by themselves.
Average Salary
$69,000/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
7. Psychologist
Basic Overview
Psychology is quite a wide field of study, where you can choose to become an aviation, consumer, forensic, military, school, bio, clinical, cognitive, community, comparative, counseling, cross-cultural, developmental, health, or personality psychologist.
These professionals study mental processes and human behavior to understand how people relate to others and their environment.
Average Salary
$95,438/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
8. Psychiatrist
Basic Overview
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in mental health. As a deep thinker and seeker of meaning, understanding the human mind could be interesting for an introvert, even though there is quite a bit of social interaction with patients.
When a psychiatrist seeks a patient, they diagnose, treat, and help prevent behavioral and emotional mental health issues using psychoanalysis, counseling, and medication.
Average Salary
$216,090/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
9. Accountant
Basic Overview
Becoming an accountant may have been your first thought when thinking about the best jobs for introverts. After all, accountants work with numbers all day, so there’s no time for social interaction, right? True, but these professionals do need to communicate with their clients – when needed.
An accountant helps businesses and individuals understand their financials so they can make sound decisions. For a company, an accountant keeps track of transactions, monitors financial performance, and prepares financial statements.
Average Salary
$65,700/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
10. Park Ranger
Basic Overview
If being out in nature helps you recharge, then a park ranger job is ideal for the introvert in you. Park rangers work in visitor centers in state and national parks, give tours, patrol the park grounds, and participate in search-and-rescue missions. So yes, there’s social interaction with your colleagues and park visitors, but you are out in nature, so you can recharge!
Average Salary
$51,481/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
11. Software Engineer
Basic Overview
Software engineers combine programming know-how with their understanding of business to create a software application that will solve a company’s pain points. Becoming a software engineer is one of the best jobs for introverts because it appeals to an introvert’s sense of planning, problem-solving, thinking about problems and solutions, and working independently or in small teams.
Average Salary
$121,366/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
12. Veterinarian
Basic Overview
Another best job for introverts is becoming a veterinarian, or vet. You get to work with animals more than people. A vet is an animal doctor who examines sick or injured dogs, cats, exotic animals, and more to diagnose and treat them. A vet may need to interact with the pet’s owners to advise them on care, administering meds, and so on.
Average Salary
$112,302/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
13. Data Analyst
Basic Overview
Becoming a data analyst is another great job suited for an introvert because you get to use data, solve problems, make predictions, and then help the company strategically decide on plans for product development and more. As such, data analysts turn data gathered from customers, the company’s performance, products, and costs into insights.
Average Salary
$90,000/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
14. Astronomer
Basic Overview
The quiet fascination with space, meteors, black holes, and more might sound really attractive to introverts who like to live in their own worlds. Astronomers study the universe to try and understand planetary and solar systems and the cosmos by developing hypotheses, writing research proposals, gathering and analyzing data, publishing papers, and presenting findings.
Astronomers usually work in teams with other scientists, but there’s space to work independently too.
Average Salary
$117,053/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
15. Financial Analyst
Basic Overview
In the financial analyst role, you can choose to work for:
This kind of job is ideal for introverts who are independent, deep thinkers, and planners.
Average Salary
$71,453/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
16. Marine Engineer
Basic Overview
A marine engineer is one of the best jobs for an introvert because they mainly work on designs in front of a PC, there’s limited social interaction, and they need to use their deep thinking and planning skills. A marine engineer, or ship engineer, works with naval architects to design, build, test, and repair boats, underwater craft, ships, and more.
Average Salary
$92,400/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
17. Medical Transcriptionist
Basic Overview
Working with various health care providers, medical transcriptionists (or medical language specialists) transcribe (listen to and accurately record) each provider’s dictated notes according to the practice’s template so every patient’s medical history and treatment is recorded.
Apart from reaching out to the provider to get clarification if there’s conflicting information, a medical transcriptionist works independently and uses their medical knowledge to ensure there are no mistakes.
Average Salary
$57,786/annum
Education Requirements
How to Get Started
Final Thoughts on the Best Jobs for Introverts
Being an introvert is actually a wonderful thing, despite being so thoroughly misunderstood by extroverts. If you are stuck in a job that’s more suited for extroverts, accept who you are and turn your introversion into your greatest strengths and shine!
If you are looking for a new career path, there are plenty of jobs for introverts out there that are better suited for you – even more than what I have on my list here. Seriously allergic to people? Then check out our list of 15 jobs if you like working alone.
