5w4 INTP Careers: The Best Jobs (+5 List)

This article will not only highlight but also explain why a number of jobs are best suited for the 5w4 INTP personality type. The article will also help the audience develop a deeper understanding of the topic by introducing the personality components that make up this unique personality.

5w4 INTP Careers: The Best Jobs

Here is a list of the jobs that are best suited for the 5w4 INTP personality type:

• Historian
• Scholar
• System Analyst
• Researcher
• Forensic Psychologist
• Professor

Before we take a look at each of these jobs in detail and why they suit the 5w4 INTP personality type, we will introduce the personality components that make it up!

The 5w4 Enneagram – The Philosopher

Possessing more traits associated with the type 5 rather than type 4 enneagram, the ‘Philosopher’ although reserved in their behaviour is quite the thinker and reflector! They like to take their time when it comes to pondering over things that amaze or fascinate them. Furthermore, they like to do this in a peaceful and quiet environment rather than brainstorm over it with others. They are indeed introverted because they need alone time not only to think but to also reflect and recharge their social battery.

Compared to type 5 enneagrams, they are more emotional and expressive. Hence, they do possess a more human element and do not just focus on the hard areas of life or use simple facts and figures to explain phenomena. This is because they realize the importance of human intervention and influence. Also, these individuals are quite expressive and like to do things in a manner that not only represents their opinions or beliefs but also feels comfortable to them.

Because of their nature and how they think or feel about others, these enneagram types may seem a bit distant – they remain guarded and withdrawn from others. This is not only because they need time alone but they prefer to keep a distance from other people. At the same time, they are very much open to gaining new skills and knowledge to increase their knowledge base as well as the resources – in the form of skills – that will help them strengthen their own standing and make them more capable of even greater tasks.

Despite their introverted side, they love to explore new avenues! They will explore to find more opportunities, learn the truth regarding people or things that interest them and also just for the sake of it. They love exploring and they don’t mind doing this alone because it allows them to have the chance to think and reflect while on such ‘missions’.

The Fear of the Philosopher

The main fear this enneagram type has is that of being helpless and incompetent. They do not want to be in a position where they cannot help themselves or defend themselves for that matter! Also, they are scared that they might feel useless. The 5w4 enneagram does not want to be in a position where they are not competent for a certain task or be of no use to others!

They often compensate for this by spending a great amount of time figuring out how to develop new skills and finding new resources of knowledge. This makes them feel not only worthy or competent because they have achieved new skills and are engaged with new sources of knowledge but also they appreciate that they are currently busy doing something they love in peace and harmony.

The Basic Desire

The basic desire of the type 5w4 enneagram stems from the fact that they want to feel competent and worthy. They want to be able to master a set of skills that they can use to not only ensure their independence and strong standing but also their ability to help others.

The type 5w4 enneagram wants to help and guide others too and they believe they can only do this if they have the right skills and knowledge. Hence they also desire that they possess a number of skills and much knowledge from different walks of life.

INTPs – Who Are They?

As introverts, INTPs are more focused on their inner world rather than the outer one. They will expend more time and effort to understand it though thinking, reflecting, imagining and other mental processes . They hence engage in behaviours that allow them to focus on their inner world of thoughts; they are seen as quiet, focused and in the state of ‘reflecting’.

INTPs prefer solitude because this helps them focus on what they love doing. Also, for most introverts, it is just too much of the effort to intermingle and interact with others. Sometimes it is awkward for them or causes them too much anxiety. At other times, it may be because they have to make much effort to focus on what to say or when to say as they take in too much information and find it difficult on how to filter it out. Nonetheless, they prefer spending more time alone rather than with people.

INTPs are intuitive which means they don’t always focus on the facts or what is in front of them. Yes they very much appreciate logic and the relationships they can see however, this does not stop them from thinking out of the box. People who are intuitive are known for making many discoveries in world history and this does not happen by just ordinary thinking; they must go beyond the scope they are given! They give value to their vision, dreams and even imagination and combine that with what they already have in their hands.

Such people give weightage to their thoughts and what seems structured or logical rather than the emotions they feel for others. Sometimes this can be insensitive and they find difficulty in understanding the emotional complaints or requests their loved ones have. 

INTPs are perceivers and this may explain why they are able to achieve so much in terms of their discoveries and contributions to the world. Such people are spontaneous; they prefer things that come and go rather than a structured boring plan. 

Workplace Habits – Likes & Dislikes

In this section we will look at workplace practices that they 5w4 INTP personality type either like or dislike!

The Good Workplace Practices

Here are the workplace practices that energize or motivate this personality type:

• Being able to manage work in their own way
• Getting time alone with work
• Helping other coworkers
• Seeing their work make an impact on others lives
• Enrolling in courses or programs to enhance their skills

The Bad Workplace Practices

Here are the workplace practices that they 5w4 INTP personality type dislikes:

• Too many distractions – No peace
• No alone time
• Strict schedules or work policies
• No room for growth of individuals
• Not allowed to explore certain areas of interest
• Coworkers are distant

5w4 INTP Careers: The Best Jobs

In this section, we will take a look at some jobs and why they are actually really good for 5w4 INTP personality types!

Historian

Imagine being able to sit down in a huge library and go through all types of books – some from the ancient past while others more recent commentaries on how time has changed things. It would be an enlightening experience that would provide you with more and more knowledge of things that actually interest you. On top of that, you could sit down and do this in peace and imagine yourself in an entirely different world. 

This is one of the ideal jobs for a 5w4 INTP personality – becoming a historian! Not only do they get to quench their thirst for knowledge but they also can benefit or guide others in this area. They can go on to become teachers, writers, tour guides or any other professional who takes out some time from their busy routine only to part their knowledge away from others.

Scholar

This is another great occupation for the personality type under discussion because it is one of the highest levels an individual can reach when it comes to perfecting their knowledge or skills. With regards to a relevant area, they are the highest authority from which someone can gain knowledge or guidance from.

Not only is this a life changing journey but it is one that benefits others too. The 5w4 INTP personality type can fulfil their desires and avoid their fears when it comes to becoming a scholar!

System Analyst

A popular and well compensated job, a system analyst is someone who studies existing systems and advises on how they can be improved or modified. Although this requires some degree of interaction with others, it is a job where the personality type can sit down and think over deeply and do things in a manner they like. If how they do things appeals to others then they are on their way to a rich career!

Researcher

A researcher is another professional that can well represent a 5w4 INTP where they can dedicate their life to studying certain topics and mastering them. Furthermore, researchers play a huge part in advising on new policies for societies or nations. 

Forensic Psychologist

 A very interesting job, the forensic psychologist is someone who takes their time when it comes to analyzing and understanding a certain crime scene or scenario that is of interest. They must be skilled and very observant as well as analytical in order to gauge what truly happened. This is indeed another great profession 5w4 INTPs can pursue!

Conclusion

This article took a deeper look at the 5w4 INTP personality type by not only highlighting but explaining why certain jobs are well suited for it. It also introduced the personality components that make up this type as well as certain workplace practices that the 5w4 INTP would like or dislike!

References

https://www.16personalities.com/intp-personality

https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-5/wing-4