The 11 Best Jobs for Introverts in 2023
March 31, 2023
Settling on the right college major and eventual career path is a challenge for every young person. First and foremost, you are trying to figure out what you truly love and how those passions can be monetized. Of course, there are also practical considerations—how many degrees will you need to enter the field? Will the compensation be enough to pay off student loan debt and start to save as you become a young adult? Yet, for 30%-50% of the population, there is another factor at play in the career selection process. That’s because one-third to one-half of the world’s population are introverts. Factoring in your personality type is essential when making major life choices. With that in mind, College Transitions is pleased to present our list of the Best Jobs for Introverts.
What is an Introvert?
Not all introverts share all of the same traits. However, in general, introverts tend to:
- Prefer talking in small groups of people or one-on-one.
- Feel drained of energy by being in a crowd.
- Enjoy alone time to recharge and rejuvenate.
- Learn best through observation and watching others.
- Like to think in a quiet environment.
- Savor independence and time to self-reflect.
For more, we recommend the work of Susan Cain who wrote the excellent book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.
Given all of these common introvert traits, these are some of the best jobs for introverts. We will also examine the undergraduate degrees that most often lead to these careers. Click on the links to view the best colleges for each prospective major.
Non-Math & Science-Related Best Jobs for Introverts
Some lists of best jobs for introverts focus heavily on STEM professions. After all, careers in this realm involve a lot of time alone in a lab or making calculations in solitude. We’ll get to those types of professions in a moment, but if you are an introvert who doesn’t happen to love calculus and physics, you may prefer these options:
1) Content Writer/Editor or Technical Writer
Working for businesses or websites, individuals in this field research, write, and edit content. This content is often aligned with the objectives of the client, business, or publication. Technical writers write things like instructional manuals or how-to guides. Writing and editing content is work that is best accomplished in solitude. The work is often self-directed and can be accomplished in any location, at any time of the day or night, making it ideal for introverts.
Degree Requirements: Typically, candidates will have a bachelor’s degree. This may be in English, Journalism, or Communication but could be in literally any field. For example, if you were writing for a website or company that dealt with science, having a degree in that realm would be beneficial.
Learn more about the Best Colleges for: English; Communication; Creative Writing
2) Archivist or Librarian
Nothing like the beautiful silence of a library or university archive to bring a smile to an introvert’s face! While you will spend time assisting patrons and researchers, this career is full of one-on-one interaction and the completion of solo tasks. These jobs are expected to grow at a steady rate through 2031 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is good news for introverts for whom these fields may feel like an ideal fit.
Degree Requirements: Archivists and librarians have a variety of undergraduate degrees, but also typically earn a master’s degree in library or archival science as well.
Learn more about the Best Colleges for: English; History; Classics
3) Translator
Translators work in a number of different settings/fields, many of which are introvert-friendly. Thanks to an increasingly globally-connected world, these jobs are growing much faster than average through 2031. Whether you work for the medical system, the legal system, a business, a publishing house, or international agency, this can be a wonderful career for introverts with an aptitude for learning foreign languages.
Degree Requirements: Most translators possess an undergraduate degree in their language of choice. For example, Spanish, Chinese, French, Arabic, Korean, etc.
Learn more about the Best Colleges for: Foreign Language; Arabic; Linguistics
4) Psychologist
But wait, don’t psychologists have to talk to…people!? Yes, but remember, most introverts love talking to people individually or in small groups. This is particularly true when it comes to honest and meaningful conversations that involve deep listening. While psychology is a people-centered profession, this can be soul-nourishing work for those with introverted aspects to their personality.
Degree Requirements: You will need to pursue an advanced degree in this field in order to practice as a therapist, counselor, or psychologist. Most future psychologists major or minor in psychology in order to tackle the prerequisites needed for graduate school in this field.
Learn more about the Best Colleges for: Psychology; Neuroscience;
5) Lawyer/Paralegal
Lawyers on TV do nothing but talk. They stand up in front of juries or engage in contentious conversation with the opposing counsel. In reality, many lawyers work behind the scenes in ways that will appeal to introverts. Researching, analyzing, and writing are actions at the heart of the legal profession and introverts tend to excel at (and enjoy) all three.
Degree Requirements: Future attorneys can study literally any undergraduate field. There are no prerequisite courses needed to apply to law school but many get prepared for that process as well as taking the LSAT through rigorous majors like political science, philosophy, or history. Paralegals only need an undergraduate degree.
Learn more about the Best Colleges for: Criminal Justice; History; Philosophy; Political Science
6) Park Ranger/Conservation Scientist Â
Let’s step outside of an office setting (home office included) for a moment, and into nature. Specifically, you’re invited to one of the 423 National Parks sites in the United States. Add in local and state-owned parks, and there are tens of thousands of jobs in environmental conservation/science and being a park ranger.
Degree Requirements: The barrier to entry in this field is a bachelor’s degree. Most park ranger jobs require a bachelor’s degree and positions that are law enforcement oriented usually involve graduating from a police academy as well.
Learn more about the Best Colleges for: Environmental Science; Forestry; Hospitality Management
Math & Science-Related Best Jobs for Introverts
1) Engineer
Some engineering jobs require contestant collaboration and communication; others do not. However, even engineering jobs that require some component of group work still usually offer a solo element as well. Many of the duties require concentration, independence, and autonomy. As such, this is a classic field that is well suited for introverts.
Degree Requirements: Engineers possess undergraduate degrees in a specific area of engineering. Some later choose to pursue master’s degrees and PhDs as well.
Learn more about the Best Colleges for: Aerospace Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Civil Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Industrial Engineering; Materials Science and Engineering; Mechanical Engineering Petroleum Engineering
2) Accountant
Many extroverts would find the idea of spending all day plowing through tax-related documents or corporate financial paperwork to be a form of torture. Contrarily, a more introverted individual may actually find this type of work intellectually stimulating and rewarding. As long as the only two certainties in life remain “death and taxes”, the accounting field will continue to be lucrative and in a state of growth.
Degree Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in accounting is the most common education route. Those wishing to become a Certified Public Accountant to complete additional training/testing.
Learn more about the Best Colleges for: Accounting; Mathematics; Actuarial Science
3) Research Scientist
As a research scientist, you will likely be employed by a university, private research company, or non-profit entity. As any strip of The Far Side will tell you, research scientists do not have a reputation as wild, loquacious extraverts (except for those occasional test tube fights). Instead, working in a laboratory setting usually offers plenty of solo work. Even though research is often conducted in teams, there is ultimately only one ocular lens in a microscope. One can only assume that the inventor of the microscope, Zacharias Janssen, was an introvert himself.
Degree Requirements: Like psychology, this is a career with a high educational standard. While some positions will be attainable with a bachelor’s degree, many research scientists attain master’s degrees and PhDs. Common majors for future research scientists are highlighted directly below in the Best Colleges subsection…
Learn more about the Best Colleges for: Biology; Biochemistry; Chemistry, Physics; Cognitive Science
4) Data Analyst
If AP Statistics is your favorite subject in high school, data analysis may be the perfect line of work for you. Analytics is ubiquitous in modern society. This means that the number of sectors in which you could find employment are limitless. From finance to healthcare to athletics, data analysts are in demand. This is good news for introverts who happen to be highly-skilled in math and computing. This unique skillset can often create opportunities for employment that are on your own terms.
Degree Requirements: To become a data scientist you will need an aptitude in mathematics as well as computer science. An undergraduate degree in any of the areas below will help you gain an entry-level position. Advanced degrees will only improve your job prospects.
Learn more about the Best Colleges for: Data Science; Mathematics; Statistics
5) Information Technology Manager /Computer Programmer/Software Developer
Any type of computer-science career will likely check off many boxes on a list of introvert preferences. Whether you are in a position of writing code, debugging software, or managing an organization/company’s network, much of your work will be done in front of your computer (where else?).
Degree Requirements: The most commonly pursued bachelor’s degrees for those entering these fields are computer science or information systems. There are also instances in this field where talented individuals with two-year associate’s degrees can earn a solid living.
Learn more about the Best Colleges for: Computer Science; Information Systems
Jobs for Introverts – Final Thoughts
We hope you benefited from our list of the best jobs for introverts. For more career advice, check out the following blogs in our archives:
