Best Jobs for INTJs Who Want to Work With Children

Working with children is often described as the least INTJ job ever. While this type is patient when explaining complex topics to adults in the room, the illogical and exuberant nature of children can quickly drain their social batteries. The kids may be cool but there's only so much dumbing down an INTJ can do—hence the reputation!

However, this does not mean that INTJs can't thrive in a career working with children. In fact, their analytical minds and strong sense of logic can be incredibly valuable when it comes to understanding and guiding young minds. You just have to choose your career path wisely, and make sure that repetition is kept to a minimum and that there's enough room for growth to satisfy your curious mind.  With that in mind, here are some of the best jobs for INTJs who want to work with children.

1. High School Teacher or College Professor

While teaching may seem like a no-go for introverted and analytical INTJs, it can actually be an ideal career path for those who are able to do it at a sufficiently high level. Teaching older students, such as those in high school or college, allows you to sidestep the "2x2" and share your in-depth knowledge in a way that is more intellectually stimulating and challenging. There's not a child alive that you can't excite when you put your mind to it. You'll enjoy watching the students "get it," and your ability to plan lessons that incrementally build upon each other will be appreciated by students and administrators alike.

Plus, teaching at a higher level means you'll have more control over your schedule and less interaction with parents who can be much harder to deal with than the actual students!

2. Child Psychologist

INTJs have a natural ability to analyze and understand complex systems and patterns, which explains why so many are drawn to the field of psychology. While working with children may require extra patience and creativity, the demands of this career path are a perfect fit for the INTJ's analytical strengths.

Introversion is on a scale—some INTJs will struggle with the demands of counseling young people all day, every day. You’re also dealing with emotional issues that add an extra layer of complexity. Make sure you go in with your eyes open and have the energy levels to sustain you throughout the day.

3. Researcher or Data Analyst in Education

For INTJs who prefer to work behind the scenes, careers in research or data analysis within the education field can be a great fit. You'll get to use your analytical skills to gather and analyze data on educational trends, learning outcomes, and student behavior. This information can then be used to make improvements and inform decision making at both individual and organizational levels.

Jobs like this exist in various educational institutions, from schools and universities to government agencies and non-profit organizations. You can also specialize in a particular area, such as education technology or child development.

4. Family Law/Child Protection Attorney

While this career path will not see you actively involved with children every day, you will be supporting children and working in their best interests. As a family law or child protection attorney, you’ll be using your analytical skills and sharp legal brain to navigate complex family situations and protect the rights of children. This is an excellent way for INTJs to advocate for those who can't do it themselves, while also utilizing their problem-solving abilities.

5. Childcare Center Director

For INTJs with strong leadership skills, becoming a childcare center director can be a satisfying career choice. While this job does involve managing employees and overseeing operations, it also gives you the opportunity to create a learning environment that aligns with your own values and principles.

You'll have the chance to interact with children in satisfyingly smaller doses while focusing on strategic planning and development. It's the best of both worlds for INTJs who want to work with children but also crave intellectual stimulation and autonomy.

Summing Up

While it may seem like a challenge for INTJs to find a job working with children, there are plenty of options available that play to your strengths and don't draw on your energy levels more than necessary. This list is just a starting point - there are many other career paths in fields such as education, healthcare and social work that may also be a good fit for you. A career aptitude test can also help you narrow down your options (or expand them, if you are struggling for ideas!) and help you get a shortlist of options that are a good match for your personality type.

Bottom line? Don't believe the myth that INTJs can't handle working with children. With the right job and work environment, they can be exactly what young minds need to thrive.