Introduction
Of the many factors that contribute to a successful education and subsequent career, an understanding of personality type is among the most useful.
While interests and skills change during the course of a person's life, the one thing that does remain constant is an individual's personality type — the innate way in which each person naturally prefers to see the world and make decisions. All individuals are unique, but people of the same type share large similarities in the kinds of academic subjects and careers they find interesting, and the kind of work they find satisfying.
By understanding the role personality type plays, people can gain important insights into their educational, career and relationship needs. And because people of different types often communicate in very different ways, counselors and advisors can learn which strategies work most effectively with each individual student.
Understanding you, Toree
People like you are usually imaginative, creative and sensitive. You are a private person, and you take time getting to know people and letting others get to know you. You probably have a small group of close and trusted friends, and are generally cautious about jumping into new social situations. People describe you as thoughtful and empathetic, and you will try hard to please the people you care about.
Outwardly quiet, you have strong feelings and opinions, especially about the way people should treat one another. You are very committed to your beliefs, so you may have trouble backing down or compromising your ideals just to get other people's approval. You can be somewhat of a perfectionist. People sometimes disappoint you and, since it's hard for you to remain objective, your feelings may often get hurt.
You may love to fantasize about the future and probably enjoy creative activities like writing, reading, music and art. You tend to be organized, efficient and inventive in getting your work done, and are a responsible and respectful person. Since you like to have a plan of action you may get flustered by sudden changes, and you need plenty of time to adjust to or prepare for new experiences.
You like spending time alone and, while you may like doing things with your good friends, you are not typically the one who initiates social activities. Since you are a good listener,people trust you and are often amazed by the original insights you have about others. You naturally look below the surface to understand the deeper meaning in every experience and interaction.
Note: Based on our assessment, your personality type is "INFJ."
Your Strengths and Blindspots
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. The key to finding the best path for all people is by using their natural strengths and becoming aware of their natural blindspots.
Your strengths may include:
Impressing people with your thoughtfulness and integrity
Developing and following a well laid-out plan
Using your creativity to suggest alternative approaches
Being an attentive listener
Being able to anticipate what will impress people
Your blindspots may include:
Being impractical or unrealistic about your expectations
Not communicating concisely enough
Seeming too independent or inflexible about certain issues
Making decisions before you collect all the necessary information
Speaking in a style that doesn't accurately reflect your enthusiasm
Your College Satisfiers
A curriculum that challenges your intellect while supporting your values, and provides ample opportunity for you to develop and express your creativity
Courses that are compatible with issues or causes that are important to you
An environment that encourages uniqueness and not only tolerates, but celebrates, individuality A faculty advising system that encourages a close mentoring relationship
Plenty of opportunities to socialize, but within an environment that permits individuals who aren't "joiners" to feel comfortable about their level of participation
Your Career Satisfiers
Let you use your creativity to solve problems
Be in harmony with your personal values
Let you have control over, and responsibility for, your own projects
Recognize and appreciate your authorship and unique contributions
Allow you to implement your good ideas in service to others
Give you enough time to think things through and do a thorough job
Take place in an environment that is free of tension and conflict
Let you express your opinions and see the result of your work
Your Preferred Learning Style
While ALL individuals are unique, people of the same type often learn best in similar ways.
The following summarizes what you need in order to maximize learning:
Ways to make lessons personally meaningfulAdequate time to read, reflect and prepare before responding
A minimum of overwhelming facts and details
A friendly, supportive environment that encourages small group work
Enough, but not too much, structure
To be engaged and rewarded for your creativity and originality
Your Interpersonal Negotiating Style
People negotiate with each other all the time, whether it's arranging to borrow the family car, requesting more time to finish a project, or even deciding which restaurant to visit with friends. In college and at work, the ability to negotiate effectively is especially important.
Following are some strengths and blindspots that have the potential to influence your negotiations with others:
Possible Strengths
Creative and good at thinking in a fresh, unconventional way
Have great integrity and command respect from opponents
A good listener and perceptive about people
Consider options thoughtfully, without rushing to judgment
Organized, prepared and driven to meet your goals
Possible Blindspots
May present solutions that are not realistic or practical enough to work
May not communicate your ideas and vision simply or clearly enough
May become inflexible and stubborn when proposals that reflect one of your important values are challenged or dismissed
May have difficulty juggling several options or issues at the same time
May lack objectivity and take negotiations too personally
Potential Careers and Majors
The careers listed below are all linked to your personality type and are organized by career cluster, from "most interested" to "least interested", based on what you have indicated.
While there is never a guarantee, people of your type have indicated job satisfaction with these careers.