Student teaching did NOT work out, so I am piecing together an individual studies degree and wondering how the hell I am ever going to have a job that might be music-related. Right now, the instrument that tickles my fancy is one I am still a beginner with. For that matter, I'm not sure I can find any job that will fit an introverted, intuitive, feeling, perceiving/judging person like me who does better at exploring plethoras of possibilities and ideas than actually making anything that can be tangible. In other words, I feel like I am trapped in a technical world that cares only about the bottom line, linear thinking, concrete solutions, and tangible results. I don't feel like the world needs my creative ideas because I can't make it into something physical. I feel hopelessly philosophic. So what the hell do I do now?9 responses total.
I know a fair number of INFPs and INFJs in computing. ;) The ENFPs seem to end up in user-support.
Sounds like there's two separate issues here. One's "oh my god, what do I do for a living?", and one's "how is music going to fit in with my life?". It could be that the two have separate answers. What about getting a job that suits your feel for options and possibilities, and doing music (maybe just as enthusiastically) "on the side"? (Of course, this is my personal spin on the issue at the moment anyway, since I've recently been deciding to keep music as a hobby and major in something else. So basically, I'm telling you what I've been telling _me_, and, since you're not me, YMMV.....) (What instrument, btw? Are you still playing guitar, or are you on to something else?)
resp:1 What do the INFPs do? I took the Keirsey personality sorter a while ago-- it describes this category as the Healers of the Idealist section. Get a load of what the Keirsey site said: Portrait of the Healer (iNFp) Copyrighted © 1996 Prometheus Nemesis Book Company. Healer Idealists are abstract in thought and speech, cooperative in striving for their ends, and informative and introverted in their interpersonal relations. Healer present a seemingly tranquil, and noticiably pleasant face to the world, and though to all appearances they might seem reserved, and even shy, on the inside they are anything but reserved, having a capacity for caring not always found in other types. They care deeply-indeed, passionately-about a few special persons or a favorite cause, and their fervent aim is to bring peace and integrity to their loved ones and the world. Healers have a profound sense of idealism derived from a strong personal morality, and they conceive of the world as an ethical, honorable place. Indeed, to understand iNFps, we must understand their idealism as almost boundless and selfless, inspiring them to make extraordinary sacrifices for someone or something they believe in. The iNFp is the Prince or Princess of fairytale, the King's Champion or Defender of the Faith, like Sir Galahad or Joan of Arc. Healers are found in only 1 percent of the general population, although, at times, their idealism leaves them feeling even more isolated from the rest of humanity. Healers seek unity in their lives, unity of body and mind, emotions and intellect, perhaps because they are likely to have a sense of inner division threaded through their lives, which comes from their often unhappy childhood. Healers live a fantasy-filled childhood, which, unfortunately, is discouraged or even punished by many parents. In a practical-minded family, required by their parents to be sociable and industrious in concrete ways, and also given down-to-earth siblings who conform to these parental expectations, iNFps come to see themselves as ugly ducklings. Other types usually shrug off parental expectations that do not fit them, but not the iNFps. Wishing to please their parents and siblings, but not knowing quite how to do it, they try to hide their differences, believing they are bad to be so fanciful, so unlike their more solid brothers and sisters. They wonder, some of them for the rest of their lives, whether they are OK. They are quite OK, just different from the rest of their family-swans reared in a family of ducks. Even so, to realize and really believe this is not easy for them. Deeply committed to the positive and the good, yet taught to believe there is evil in them, iNFps can come to develop a certain fascination with the problem of good and evil, sacred and profane. Tutors are drawn toward purity, but can become engrossed with the profane, continuously on the lookout for the wickedness that lurks within them. Then, when iNFps believe thay have yielded to an impure temptation, they may be given to acts of self-sacrifice in atonement. Others seldom detect this inner turmoil, however, for the struggle between good and evil is within the iNFp, who does not feel compelled to make the issue public. Sorry for that long bit there; I felt I should post the excerpt unabridged to make sure my point was made. Basically, the personality type is a starry-eyed visionary, that is deeply passionate about a few focused things. The pragmatic world is rarely kind to our sensibilities. resp:2 I'd heard that for quite a while, Dan, and it always bothered me, especially when it came from my parents. I am considering the notion and have begun to see myself in a few jobs. I do see that Scott Helmke plays gigs as a moonlighting thing-- while his day job is in computing. I am still playing guitar. I'm getting better, gradually, but I can't afford a teacher at the moment. Anyway, there it is-- make of it what you will, and tell me if it gives you more ideas.
YMMV?
Your Milage May Vary. (Or I suppose it could be an undiscovered personality type. Yummy / Moping / Mysterious / Vigorous?)
hehe. Well, I am submitting a resume to Ted Brown Music soon.. we'll see how that goes.
I'm sorry I haven't had anything to offer here. I've always tried to keep music from turning into anything I *had* to do, even if it was only to write reviews of albums. I want the freedom to spend a month listening to Gilbert & Sullivan if that's where things lead me...
The xNFPs I know started out in User Support and went on from there. I've delayed replying because I had hoped to find a list I could use to remind myself of who was what. (I'm an INTJ who has spent more than a little time in user support.)
INFP-- the Idealist. Starry-eyed visionary, philosophical, wants to be needed, appreciated, etc. Daydreamer, quester.. getting the picture now? Generally are mentors, etc. ENFP is billed as the counselor.
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