44 Best ISTP Careers in 2024 (incl. Which to Avoid)
ISTPs are observant and independent individuals who provide creative solutions to strenuous problems.
They have a good sense of their environment and handle high-stress situations with ease.
Careers as an engineer, architect, or analyst are some of the best ISTP careers, as all three require rationality and creative problem-solving.
Fulfilling ISTP Career Qualities
People with the ISTP personality are always curious about the functioning of everything and their purpose is to feed that curiosity.
They are driven by the need to understand the practical workings of different machines or gadgets.
The best jobs for ISTPs are found in the mechanical field where their curiosity is fulfilled by working on and around complex machines.
1. Creative
ISTPs at work have a creative mindset full of great ideas. ISTPs also possess extraordinary technical skills to put those ideas into action.
They combine their creativity and practicality to solve complex problems in a distinct way.
People with ISTP personalities are really good at figuring out, using, or fixing tools and machines around them.
Working as an Air traffic controller is one of the best careers for ISTPs as they are good with machines and do not hesitate to offer ideas.
2. Rational
People with the ISTP personality are rational and logical individuals that do not let favoritism, biasness, or any kind of emotion come into play.
ISTPs are more interested in finding rational solutions rather than fantasizing over abstract or fictional concepts.
They overcome the hurdles in their way and get to the desired result in the most efficient way possible.
Financial Analyst is another ISTP Career match as it requires objectivity and rationalism which ISTPs possess.
3. Handling Pressure
Handling pressure comes easy to the ISTPs, they tend to perform even better in tense situations with a sense of urgency.
People generally freeze in high-pressure situations where they need to take a major decision; ISTPs stay calm and put the right foot forward.
ISTP talents include the ability to absorb humongous quantities of information and use it efficiently during times of need.
Any kind of job in an Emergency Room makes it to the list of top ISTP professions as they thrive under pressure.
4. Optimistic
ISTPs are optimistic in nature and always look for the positives in a situation instead of just focusing on the negatives.
They are cheerful individuals who like to go with the flow and are rarely exhausted or stressed out.
Although they are rational and realistic, there is always a tinge of optimism that keeps ISTPs motivated to get the job done.
Working as a Research Scientist is a fulfilling ISTP Career Path because they have the brains to do something innovative and the patience to stay on it.
Best Careers for ISTPs
ISTPs are creative learners that like to get their hands dirty rather than sitting behind a desk.
The best career for ISTP would be one that involves a lot of logical thinking, creative problem-solving, and practical applications.
Mechanical Engineering would be the perfect career for an ISTP because it has all the aspects that interest them.
- Air Traffic Controller
- Airline Pilot
- Audiovisual Specialist
- Automotive Products Retailer
- Biologist
- Building Inspector
- Carpenter
- Chef
- Civil Engineer
- Commercial Designer
- Computer Engineer
- Computer Programmer
- Computer Support Specialist
- Criminal Investigator
- Criminalist
- Economist
- Electrical Engineer
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Emergency Room Physician
- Engineer (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil)
- ER Physician
- Farmer or Rancher
- Firefighter
- Flight Engineer
- Forensic Science Technician
- Forester
- Geologist
- Intelligence Agent
- Intelligence Agent (FBI, CIA, Secret Service)
- Landscape Architect
- Machinist
- Marine Biologist
- Mechanic
- Mechanical Engineer
- Medical Technician
- Optometrist
- Photographer
- Physical Therapist
- Pilot
- Private Investigator
- Railroad Worker
- Software Developer
- Software Engineer
- Surgical Technician
Draining ISTP Career Qualities
ISTPs are blessed with a lot of positives, but there are always two sides of the coin.
Lack of sensitivity and their bluntness might be their most negative trait as people may feel hurt or take their words otherwise.
The worst careers for ISTPs are the people-oriented ones, where they need to work together and talk to people.
1. Insensitive
People with ISTP personalities have a blunt communication style which may be perceived as harsh and hurtful by some.
They could face difficulties in working or bonding with the gentler personality types.
ISTPs are so fact and logic oriented that it may become difficult for them to digest that people can look at things differently.
Working as a therapist or a counselor might not be the best careers for ISTPs as they are too blunt for it.
2. Risk-taking
ISTPs enjoy taking risks and may involve themselves in dangerous situations just to get the rush or thrill out of it.
Chasing the rush often lands them in trouble, causes difficulty to their colleagues and might even become the reason for a conflict.
People with the ISTP personality should choose a career in which their risk-taking behavior causes negligible damage.
Trading in Stocks is one of the ISTP jobs to avoid as high-risk trading without hedging can result in significant losses.
3. Reserved
They are strongly introverted and do not take their private or lone time for granted.
ISTPs are not talkative at all and never say trivial things just for the sake of making conversation.
They are tough to know about and tend to stay silent even when motivated to speak about their personal endeavors.
Customer Service Representative is one of the ISTP jobs to avoid because they are not chatty and may feel exhausted talking to multiple strangers.
4. Impatient
ISTPs lack patience and may show signs of frustration if the work they put in does not give instant results.
They are incredibly patient and calm when going through an urgent or tough situation, but they tend to lose their patience when doing something repetitive.
People with the ISTP personality are loaded with curiosity and lose interest as soon as things get slow.
A career as a Social worker does not make it to the ISTP Careers list as it requires a lot of patience and persistence.
Worst Careers for ISTPs
People with the ISTP personality have the potential to succeed in any field they desire, but there are some careers that they should avoid.
A career as a salesperson tops the list of careers for ISTP to avoid as it requires patience, following a script and building conversation with people.
It might not be the best job for ISTPs as they are impatient, reserved, and lack sensitivity.
- Actor
- Clergy
- Craft Artist
- Dentist
- Family Physician
- Journalist
- Market Researcher
- Occupational Therapist
- Pediatrician
- Preschool Teacher
- Public Health Nurse
- Receptionist
- Reporter
- Salesperson*
- Social Service Director
- Social Worker
- Special Education Teacher
- Urban Planner
- Veterinary Technician
ISTP On a Team
ISTPs like participating in teams only if it is efficient and are more focused on the task rather than the people involved.
They are rational and task-oriented team players who are looking forward to getting the job done.
People with the ISTP personality are not really interested in drawing attention and receiving the credit from their colleagues.
ISTPs need a little space to get going and may feel annoyed if they need to explain themselves every step on the way.
Overall, They have an efficient and straightforward approach and are often much more liked by their co-workers than they expect.
ISTP As a Leader
ISTPs are practical and rational individuals and there is a similar approach observed in their leadership style.
They put in their best foot forward and try to achieve the desired result with the least effort in the minimum time.
People with ISTP personalities prefer to lead by example rather than explanation, they may finish tasks themselves instead of explaining.
ISTPs are spontaneous individuals who keep their calm, perform very well in situations with urgency and offer lucrative solutions in tough times.
They like their creative space and offer the same to their subordinates instead of creating a strict environment.
