Hello mattlistener-ga,
I?m a career counselor so your question naturally grabbed my
attention. I?m very familiar with the MBTI and Enneagram and how
they?re used in career exploration. Your story is intriguing because
you?ve shared a lot of information but as I started analyzing your
situation it also became clear that some essential pieces of
information are missing. Instead of asking for clarification before
giving you my answer, I will simply alert you to possible options
depending on the missing information.
There are three steps to the career management process:
-- Self-assessment: exploring your skills, values, preferences,
experience, aptitudes, personality, financial requirements, etc.
-- Targeting: exploring what the world of work has to offer in line
with the goals and objectives you identified in the self-assessment
stage.
-- Action: jobs search to find you work from the
careers/companies/jobs you identified in exploring the world of work.
Movig forward with company research, resume preparation, networking,
job applications, interviewing, salary negotiation, etc.
You?ve given me a lot of information for the self-assessment piece.
Here is my summary:
----------------------------------------------------
Profile: Background, Personality, Qualifications
Age 32
Boston area
Education:
-- BA Philosophy
-- Rogerian Counseling (advanced degree? practice areas?)
-- Massage Therapy (certified or licensed?)
Personality/Aptitudes:
-- MBTI: INTJ ? Mastermind, Scientist
-- Enneagram: 9 - Peacemaker
-- GRE: Verbal ? 780, Analytical ? 800, Math ? 800
-- (Strong: My Guess ? Investigative, Social, Artistic/Realistic?)
Experience:
-- Unix Systems Administrator ? 10 years in large company
-- Massage Therapist ? private practice
-- Rogerian Therapy Counselor ? private practice
Skills:
-- Troubleshooting
-- Listening
-- Leadership
Passions and Drivers:
-- Intellectual challenge
-- Passion for work
-- Full use of abilities
-- Engagement in job
-- Helping individuals
-- Understanding systems
-- Careful observation of surroundings
-- Leadership role in chaotic circumstances
-------------------------------------------------
The most important unknowns are your career ambitions and salary
requirements. My guess is that neither of these is very important
compared to job satisfaction, flexibility and intellectual challenge.
I base this conclusion on the fact that you work only three days at
your Unix Systems Administrator job and that you have not felt
compelled to grow your side businesses as a Massage Therapist and
Rogerian Counselor.
It would be helpful to have more information about your motivated
skills. The clearer you are on what you?re good at and want to keep
doing, the easier it is to find jobs that encompass those skills.
The information you?ve provided indicates that all of your jobs/work
make sense as an expression of your personality type.
As an INTJ you have a strong interest in systems and systems thinking
and value knowledge and competence. You prefer to wait on taking a
leadership position unless circumstances compel you to act. Your
preference for "leadership role in chaotic circumstances" is an
indicator. You like to make decisions and complete projects. The
Systems Administrator job gives you the opportunity to use your brain,
interact with people, troubleshoot and solve problems and use your
special expertise. I don?t know where you are on the
Introvert/Extrovert continuum. Both Massage Therapy and Rogerian
Counseling are one-on-one occupations but highly personal and might be
attractive to both Introverts and Extroverts.
Since INTJs like to make decisions and are driven to closure, the
Systems Administrator job seems a very good fit because each problem
has to be resolved and then you?re done until the next project or
crisis. This doesn?t apply to the therapy jobs because the therapy
process can go on for months or years without a clear ending or
closure. From my experience with colleagues, I find that counselors
and therapists tend to be Perceiving rather than Judging types and
people who have a very strong J tend to get fed up and/or bored with
client work.
Your Enneagram type Nine also seems to fit your self-description that
you like to observe and listen and help individuals. You have many and
diverging interests so choosing among them is not always easy. You?re
easygoing and don?t want to tell anybody what to do but you?re eager
to help them find their way. You don?t want to run the show but are
eager to step in and help in a crisis. Your listening and helping
skills come into play to express this. Many Nines are introverted and
this is in line with your being an INTJ. Your choice of Rogerian
Therapy alos seems to be very congruent with this.
Although you didn?t give me your Holland Code scores from the
Strong/SDS interest inventories I will make a guess based on what
you?ve said about yourself. This assessment rates your interests based
on the types of work activities you prefer among data, people or
things. The results of these assessments give you a three letter code
for the six areas assessed: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic,
Social, Enterprising, Conventional. I feel fairly confident that you
are Investigative and Social. You also show some Realistic and
Artistic inclinations. Sys Admins are primarily Investigative, Massage
Therapists and Counselors are Social/Artistic.
Your test scores show that you?re exceptionally bright and that you
are probably more intelligent than most of your coworkers and clients.
Getting sufficient intellectual stimulation on the job may be a big
challenge. This will definitely be the case in your work as a Massage
Therapist and Rogerian Counselor.
Your motivation for seeking a career change are not entirely clear.
You say that you?ve become dissatisfied with your Systems
Administrator job because advancement would require more technical
work and you?d prefer more human interaction. In addition, the job has
become somewhat routine and less challenging and you?re also unhappy
with the management of the company.
You want to make a change in order to rekindle passion for your work
by having greater intellectual challenges, full use of your abilities,
and opportunities to help individuals. You would like to use your
listening skills, your systems thinking, powers of observation and the
ability to bring order out of chaos. You like leading in turbulent
situations but you don?t want to be a supervisor or manager. Although
you like listening and helping people, you don?t want to convince them
of anything.
When considering career change it?s much easier to stay in your field
and change jobs or change to a new role in the same field. One of the
obvious options you have is to change jobs but keep on relying on your
Systems Administrator experience and expertise to bring in most of the
income you require. You said you work for a large company but you
didn?t say whether you have explored the possibility of changing
jobs/roles within the company. Since you?re unhappy with management,
this may not be an attractive option.
Alternatively, you could seek a Systems Administrator job in a more
attractive company. One option would be to identify companies that are
known for high intellectual standards. (For example, Google is known
for a high percentage of Ph.D.s) You could also look for target
companies that are working on challenging problems that are of
interest to you. I?ve included some Boston resources to help you with
this exploration.
Your question gives me the impression that you?re more inclined to
somehow grow your other areas of expertise. You said that a ?union of
massage therapy and counseling might fill the bill.? I suggest that
you explore the family of therapy occupations, especially occupational
therapy and physical therapy. Both of these fields are expected to
grow at higher than average rate in the next few years. They both have
a hands-on component that would dovetail with your interest in touch
and both are highly personal so you would be able to use your
listening and counseling skills. I?ve included some links for
occupational exploration.
Finally, since you like to lead in chaotic situations and are good at
troubleshooting, problem-solving and systems thinking, I was trying to
think of jobs that require you to use these skills. Some of the jobs
that came to mind are: crisis negotiator, arbitrator, mediator, or
various jobs in emergency services. I have not researched these, but
they might be worth exploring as a completely new arena to use your
unique combination of people and systems skills.
I hope that you will find these suggestions for your career change
useful. Please don?t hesitate to ask for clarification on any of this.
(I will be gone all weekend until Monday evening.)
Best wishes for the next stage of your career.
~ czh ~
==========================
DRIVERS FOR SEEKING CHANGE
==========================
Wants:
-- intellectual challenge,
-- passion for work
-- full use of abilities
-- engagement in job
Likes:
-- listening skills
-- touch therapy skills
Passions:
-- helping individuals
-- understanding systems
-- careful observation of surroundings
-- leadership role in chaotic circumstances
Avoidances:
--- being in charge of people (i.e., supervision, management)
-- convincing people
==================================
MYERS BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR - MBTI
==================================
http://www.typelogic.com/intj.html
Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging
In the broadest terms, what INTJs "do" tends to be what they "know".
Typical INTJ career choices are in the sciences and engineering, but
they can be found wherever a combination of intellect and incisiveness
are required (e.g., law, some areas of academia). INTJs can rise to
management positions when they are willing to invest time in marketing
their abilities as well as enhancing them, and (whether for the sake
of ambition or the desire for privacy) many also find it useful to
learn to simulate some degree of surface conformism in order to mask
their inherent unconventionality.
------------------------------------------------
http://keirsey.com/personality/ntij.html
The Portrait of the Mastermind (iNTj)
Natural leaders, Masterminds are not at all eager to take command of
projects or groups, preferring to stay in the background until others
demonstrate their inability to lead. Once in charge, however,
Masterminds are the supreme pragmatists, seeing reality as a crucible
for refining their strategies for goal-directed action. ? To the
Mastermind, organizational structure and operational procedures are
never arbitrary, never set in concrete, but are quite malleable and
can be changed, improved, streamlined. In their drive for efficient
action, Masterminds are the most open-minded of all the types.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.personalitypage.com/INTJ.html
Portrait of an INTJ
INTJs live in the world of ideas and strategic planning. They value
intelligence, knowledge, and competence, and typically have high
standards in these regards, which they continuously strive to fulfill.
To a somewhat lesser extent, they have similar expectations of others.
INTJ's tremendous value and need for systems and organization,
combined with their natural insightfulness, makes them excellent
scientists. ? INTJs are natural leaders, although they usually choose
to remain in the background until they see a real need to take over
the lead. ? INTJs are ambitious, self-confident, deliberate,
long-range thinkers. Many INTJs end up in engineering or scientific
pursuits, although some find enough challenge within the business
world in areas which involve organizing and strategic planning.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.gesher.org/Myers-Briggs/Profiles--TJ.HTM
TJ'S -- THE THINKING JUDGING-MODE TYPES
INTJ -- Introverted Intuition Aided By Thinking
Career
INTJs can be very single-minded at times; this can be either a
weakness or a strength in their careers, for they can ignore the
points of view and wishes of others. ?
INTJs live to see systems translated into substance; ? Both internal
and external consistency are important, ? Cost-effectiveness is a
concept which has a strong imperative for INTJs, who frequently select
occupations in engineering, particularly human engineering. They also
can be found in the physical sciences, in roles which require
development, such as curriculum building, and, in general, any job
which requires the creation and application of technology to complex
areas.
Fellow workers of INTJs often feel as if the INTJ can see right
through them, and often believe that the INTJ finds them wanting. ?
Thus colleagues find the INTJ apparently unemotional and, at times,
cold and dispassionate. Because of their tendency to drive others as
hard as they do themselves, INTJs often seem demanding and difficult
to satisfy. INTJs are high achievers in school and on the job. On the
job, they take the goals of an institution seriously and continually
strive to respond to these goals. They make dedicated, loyal employees
whose loyalties are directed toward the system, rather than toward
individuals within the system.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/mb-types/intj.htm
What makes an INTJ tick?
The classic temperament of an INTJ is Promethean, or Phlegmatic, for
whom a basic driving force is the search for competence or excellence.
------------------------------------------------
http://209.15.29.56/myersbriggs/intj.htm
INTJ -- "The Masterminds"
INTJs are known as the "Systems Builders" of the types, perhaps in
part because they possess the unusual trait combination of imagination
and reliability. Whatever system an INTJ happens to be working on is
for them the equivalent of a moral cause to an INFJ; both
perfectionism and disregard for authority may come into play, as INTJs
can be unsparing of both themselves and the others on the project.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.geocities.com/lifexplore/intj.htm
INTJ - The Free-Thinker
Profile by Sandra Krebs Hirsch and Jean Kummerow
INTJs tend to seek occupations that allow them to change the status
quo and to design models to express their vision creatively. They
desire autonomy and room for growth. They prefer to work in a place in
which the future can be planned and where they can work for change in
an organized manner.
Some occupations seem to be especially attractive to INTJs: computer
systems analyst, electrical engineer, judge, lawyer, photographer,
psychologist, research department manager, researcher, scientist,
university instructor, and other occupations in which long-range
vision is essential.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.scar.utoronto.ca/~mgmtcoop/students/tutorial/self-assessment/H-intj.doc
1% INTJ ? Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging -- Competence +
Independence = Perfection
POPULAR OCCUPATIONS AND CAREERS FOR INTJ?s (see jobs in following categories)
-- TECHNICAL
-- MEDICINE
-- PROFESSIONAL
-- EDUCATION
-- CREATIVE
------------------------------------------------
http://www.learningchoices.com/career-personality.htm
Connecting MBTI Personality Types with Careers and Jobs Chart
The US Department of the Interior provided this chart that shows,
based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) categories, what types
of careers that may be enjoyable for those within a particular MBTI
category.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/12/27/1040511172494.html
Life in the trenches: a sysadmin speaks
I think, though, that to be any good at this job you have to have a
particular way of thinking and looking at the world. For those who
like personality tests, Myers-Briggs personality types INTJ and INTP
typically make good systems admins. These personality types are fairly
uncommon (less than five percent of the population), and the worldview
is moderately alien to most people... so, while there may be some
level of "cut off" from other people, the job isn't the cause.
=========
ENNEAGRAM
=========
http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeNine.asp
THE PEACEMAKER Enneagram Type Nine
The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring Agreeable, and Complacent
-- Basic Fear: Of loss and separation
-- Basic Desire: To have inner stability "peace of mind"
-- Enneagram Nine with an Eight-Wing: "The Referee"
-- Enneagram Nine with a One-Wing: "The Dreamer"
------------------------------------------------
http://www.9types.com/epd/9.html
Type 9. Peacemaker
-- World View: My efforts won't matter to the world. It's best to keep the peace.
-- Basic Desire: to find union and peace
-- Basic Fear: of separation
------------------------------------------------
http://www.eclecticenergies.com/enneagram/type9.php
Keeping peace and harmony
People of this personality type essentially feel a need for peace and
harmony. They tend to avoid conflict at all costs, whether it be
internal or interpersonal. As the potential for conflict in life is
virtually ubiquitous, the Nine's desire to avoid it generally results
in some degree of withdrawal from life, and many Nines are, in fact,
introverted. ? Most Nines are fairly easy going; they adopt a strategy
of "going with the flow." They are generally reliable, sturdy,
self-effacing, tolerant and likable individuals. ? The Nine's
inability to tolerate conflict sometimes translates into an overall
conservative approach to change. Change can provoke unpleasant
feelings and disrupt the Nine's desire for comfort. Less healthy Nines
seem incapable of motivating themselves to move into action and bring
about effective change. ? Intellectual Nines, especially males,
frequently mistype as Fives, but Fives are intellectually contentious
whereas Nines are conciliatory and conflict avoidant.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.breakoutofthebox.com/type9.htm
Case Description: Style Nine--The Diplomat
http://www.breakoutofthebox.com/ldrho.htm
LEADERSHIP STYLE NINE: The Diplomat
Serene and centered, well-developed Diplomats bring cooperation to any
organization; they are highly capable of dealing with others' problems
and building consensus. They have a natural tendency to honor
diversity, and can get along with almost anyone.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.ennea.com/types/enn9.htm
The Enneagram -- Point Nine: The Mediator
Point Nine is the core point of what is called the "anger" and "gut-
or body-based" triad of 8, 9 and 1.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.enneagramcentral.com/bsn_pln9.htm
EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
for Karl Ingram--Type Nine
Note to the Reader: What follows is a composite development plan
created for a typical Type Nine executive. While "Karl" is unique in
many ways he also clearly illustrates how some Nine dynamics play out
in the workplace. As you read through this plan, begin to formulate
what you would suggest as developmental actions for Karl and for Nines
in general. Then compare your ideas against his actual development
work.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.enneagramcentral.com/pharm_9.htm
A Clinical Pharmacist's View of the Enneagram Nine - Part I
Nines often go through life in a relatively unfocused manner. ? Nines
can have a hard time making choices. The reason for this difficulty is
that all of the available options seem equally agreeable. ? Because
nines cherish their peace and inner harmony, they make good mediators
in solving disputes between people. One of the names given to point
Nine is "the Mediator." ? Under stress a Nine takes on some of the
negative aspects of point Six. They become moody and anxious and start
to worry and will have a hard time making choices. ? When relaxed, a
Nine takes on the positive aspects of point Three. The formerly
unfocused Nine becomes extremely focused. They can engage themselves
in their work and become extremely productive.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.enneamatch.com/enneagram/9.php
TYPE 9: THE EMPATHIZER
Snapshot
Nines are based in the Body Center. They primarily seek peace, harmony
and comfort in their lives. In a sense they are asleep within
themselves and deliberately avoid activities or discussions that
require an expenditure of energy. They are non-judgmental and like to
merge with the energy of others, making them easy going and pleasant
to be around. Feeling at peace is important to Nines.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.mauraandterry.com/moggie/tests/ennagram/enneagram.htm#world
Your Enneagram Report ? 9 The Negotiator
Compatibility at Work
You'll usually do your best in positions where you can gain power.
This leverages your aggressiveness and focus on winning. Fields you're
most likely to be suited for include arbitration, counseling, and
administration.
=============
HOLLAND CODES
=============
http://www.tulane.edu/~uc/hollandcodegroups.htm
The Holland Inventory ? Holland Code Groups
------------------------------------------------
http://icpac.indiana.edu/publications/infoseries/pdf/is-50.pdf
Discover Careers That Fit You
------------------------------------------------
http://www.baylor.edu/careercounseling/index.php?id=16218
Holland Code Careers ? Organized by Code
=========================
MASSAGE THERAPIST CAREERS
=========================
http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco20055.htm
Massage therapists (O*NET 31-9011.00)
Massage customers for hygienic or remedial purposes.
-- 2002 employment: 92,000
-- Projected 2002-12 employment change: Faster than average
-- Most significant source of training: Postsecondary vocational award
http://www.onetcodeconnector.org/report?id=1344&s=title&tog=31
Massage Therapists - 31-9011.00
http://www.careeroink.com/career-reference/onet/ONET4.asp?soc_code=31%2D9011%2E00
31-9011.00 Massage Therapists
OES Code, Title, and Other Data - 31-9011. Massage therapists
Education : Postsecondary vocational award
Employed : 34,000
Projected Growth : 32%
Earnings : $ 27,190
------------------------------------------------
http://www.mncareers.org/investigate_careers.asp?pageid=th01
Therapists
Interest Profile: SRI
Job Outlook: Very Good
The outlook for therapists is very good. Growth is well above average
in most occupations, and many jobs offer higher-than-average wages.
Experts say demand is coming back around after a period of oversupply.
Competition has been fierce in the past, especially in the Twin
Cities. Opportunities are opening up again, both in rural and urban
areas.
The increased aging of the population will also drive future demand.
People are able to live longer ? even with chronic illnesses.
Therapists help people live more comfortably as they age. Demand will
be high in long-term facilities like nursing homes. Healthcare
advances will also increase demand. People are being saved from
illnesses and injuries more than in the past. Therapists can also help
them live comfortably.
Therapy Occupations:
-- Massage Therapists
-- Occupational Therapists
-- Physical Therapists
-- Radiation Therapists
-- Recreational Therapists
-- Respiratory Therapists
-- Speech Pathologists & Audiologists
------------------------------------------------
http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?pg=13000&id=120009
Career: Massage Therapists
http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?pg=13000&id=100141
Career: Occupational Therapists
http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?pg=13000&id=100155
Career: Physical Therapists
------------------------------------------------
http://www.ksu.edu/artsci/phpp/allied-links.html
ALLIED HEALTH CAREERS WEB SITES
------------------------------------------------
http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm
Physical Therapists
SIGNIFICANT POINTS
-- Employment is expected to increase faster than the average, as
growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited
function spurs demand for therapy services.
-- After graduating from an accredited physical therapist educational
program, therapists must pass a licensure exam before they can
practice.
-- About two-thirds of physical therapists work either in hospitals
or in offices of physical therapists.
Physical therapists (PTs) provide services that help restore function,
improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent
physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease.
They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their
patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling
conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures,
head injuries, and cerebral palsy.
Job Outlook
Employment of physical therapists is expected to grow faster than the
average for all occupations through 2012. The impact of proposed
Federal legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy
services may adversely affect the short-term job outlook for physical
therapists. However, over the long run, the demand for physical
therapists should continue to rise as growth in the number of
individuals with disabilities or limited function spurs demand for
therapy services.
Earnings
Median annual earnings of physical therapists were $57,330 in 2002.
The middle 50 percent earned between $48,480 and $70.050. The lowest
10 percent earned less than $40,200, and the highest 10 percent earned
more than $86,260.
===============================================
ROGERIAN / HUMANISTIC / CLIENT-CENTERED THERAPY
===============================================
http://www.psychnet-uk.com/psychotherapy/psychotherapy_client_centered.htm
Client-Centered Psychotherapy - A Humanistic form of psychotherapy
developed by Carl Rogers. The therapist is non-directive and
reflective and does not interpret or advise except to encourage or
clarify points.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.therapistfinder.net/glossary/Client-Centered-Therapy-Rogerian-Therapy.html
Client-Centered Therapy
Empathy is the foundation of Carl Rogers' client-centered therapy
(also known as Rogerian therapy). He asserted that empathy alone is
healing. A client centered therapist strives to provide an environment
of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and acceptance. Therapists
are trained to accept the client where they are at the moment.
Client-centered therapists consider diangosis and treatment planning
to be much less important than being supportive to the client. Instead
they act as an understanding listener, helping the client by providing
advice and alternate interpretations to past events only when asked.
------------------------------------------------
http://ahpweb.org/
Association for Humanistic Psychology
==================================
SYSTEMS THINKING ? KINDRED SPIRITS
==================================
http://sysadmintalk.com/
About Sys Admin TALK
Sys Admin TALK was started out of a general frustration of
administering the many systems at NEXCESS.NET Web Hosting. Chris Wells
and Paul Oehler frequented Web Hosting Talk and liked the discussions
and the format and with Matt Freeman's OK (the owner of Web Hosting
Talk) Sys Admin TALK was born. We are grateful to Web Hosting Talk and
Matt for their great format, sensical rules and nice atmopshere, we
owe this site to them!
------------------------------------------------
http://www.thesystemsthinker.com
Pegasus Communications is dedicated to providing resources that help
individuals, teams, and organizations understand and address the
challenges they face in managing the complexities of a changing world.
Since 1989, Pegasus has served the community of systems thinking and
organizational development practitioners through its conferences,
newsletters and other publications, and audio and video materials. The
company continues to develop new ways to communicate and apply the
ideas, principles, and tools of systems thinking and related
disciplines to an ever-widening audience of leaders, managers, and
educators across industries and around the world.
------------------------------------------------
http://systemsthinkingpress.com/webresourcecenter.htm
Systems Thinking World-Wide Portal
===========
BOSTON JOBS
===========
http://www.boston.com/globe/business/packages/globe_100/2003/
http://www.boston.com/globe/business/packages/globe_100/2003/charts/globe_top_100.shtml
Globe 100 ? May 2003
***** You can use this list to spark ideas about companies that might interest you.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.tbf.org/indicators/summary/index.asp
Creativity and Innovation: A Bridge to the Future
A Summary of the Boston Indicators Report 2002
Welcome to the 2002 Boston Indictaors Report website. Informed by the
contributions of hundreds of participants and experts, this website
provides high quality data and information about Boston and the region
in 10 categories: Civic Health; Cultural Life and the Arts; the
Economy; Education; the Environment; Housing; Public Health; Public
Safety; Technology; and Transportation. You'll also find special
features and news updates.
------------------------------------------------
http://www.tbf.org/indicators/technology/overview.asp?id=265
Technology Overview
Current issues and opportunities in the Boston technology picture.
Lots of information and links are offered here.
===============
SEARCH STRATEGY
===============
INTJ
Enneagram Nine
Holland Codes
occupational outlook massage therapy
occupational therapy
massage therapy careers
Rogerian therapy
systems thinking |
,
0 Comments
)