Um, yeah.

So this day at work has been usually unpleasant.  It’s nothing serious – just one of those days that makes it painfully obvious that while I make a “buttload” of money, I am really selling hours of my life for it.  Imagine someone came up to me and said, “I’ll pay you $336 if you let me shorten your life by eight hours.”  Of course, I’d say no.  And yet, every day, in effect, I’m saying yes.

 
I suppose I’m being overly-dramatic.  In fact, I know I am.  It’s not as if I actually work for the eight hours I sit here every day.  Something besides money is gained.  I do email, occasionally write, occasionally work on my inter-personal skills (which need lots of work), et cetera.  There is just no deeper meaning to my work.  It’s so far removed from the pacemakers that the company produces.  I’ve never even seen a pacemaker!

 
So I looked up popular careers for INFPs on the internet today.  If you love Myers-Briggs like I do, go to www.personalitypage.com and check out the info on types.  This is what they have to say about careers for INFPs:

 
“INFPs generally have the following traits:

• Strong value systems
• Warmly interested in people
• Service-oriented, usually putting the needs of others above their own
• Loyal and devoted to people and causes
• Future-oriented
• Growth-oriented; always want to be growing in a positive direction
• Creative and inspirational
• Flexible and laid-back, unless a ruling principle is violated
• Sensitive and complex
• Dislike dealing with details and routine work
• Original and individualistic – “out of the mainstream”
• Excellent written communication skills
• Prefer to work alone, and may have problems working on teams
• Value deep and authentic relationships
• Want to be seen and appreciated for who they are

“The INFP is a special, sensitive individual who needs a career which is more than a job. The INFP needs to feel that everything they do in their lives is in accordance with their strongly-felt value systems, and is moving them and/or others in a positive, growth-oriented direction. They are driven to do something meaningful and purposeful with their lives. The INFP will be happiest in careers which allow them to live their daily lives in accordance with their values, and which work towards the greater good of humanity. It’s worth mentioning that nearly all of the truly great writers in the world have been INFPs.
The following list of professions is built on our impressions of careers which would be especially suitable for an INFP. It is meant to be a starting place, rather than an exhaustive list. There are no guarantees that any or all of the careers listed here would be appropriate for you, or that your best career match is among those listed.
“Possible Career Paths for the INFP:

• Writers
• Counselors / Social Workers
• Teachers / Professors
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Musicians
• Clergy / Religious Workers “

Do you see “Validation Testing Lead” on that list?  I don’t. 

 
Unfortunately, people on that list don’t tend to make a lot of money.  The only one that does is the Psychologist/Psychiatrist thing, and that’s the one we’ve actually considered.  The only problem is, neither of us have a whole lot of motivation….

 
So question:  What is your dream career?