Careers for Lone Rangers

**Mogura** · 05-09-2011, 08:55 PM

I have a Lone Ranger workstyle, which means that I require flexibility, change of pace and lots of space in my working environment. I am also a bit of a control freak, and I don't like being constrained by arbitrary regulations or other factors that would adversely affect the quality of the product or deliverable I'm working on (yes, I'm a perfectionist, too). I hate the word, "team" because while in theory it sounds nice, the reality is often the opposite.

I enjoy working with emotionally mature, professionally-minded adults. If you can't manage that as a bare minimum then I'd rather work alone. I'd prefer to be your friend--hey, let's grab a beer together after work and talk about things totally not related to work. But if politics, backbiting, and lip service is your game, then I'm not having any of it--fuck off. I don't want to lead, nor do I want to follow. I want to learn, grow, and excel. Authenticity and integrity matter to me.

This, in a nutshell, is my workstyle. And because of this I have struggled with working in traditional office environments most of my life. This sucks. I am a hard worker, an efficient worker, and I enjoy work. But at the same time I'm profoundly unhappy because of all of the bullshit that comes along with it.

I've been working in IT in the finance industry for a number of years. I've "been there, done that" in at least 6 different financial services companies (SSDB). Lately, I'm finding it an absolute struggle to go into the office. I want to start afresh, start anew. Leave this life behind me and focus on something where I get a better ROI on my own sweat and effort.

Career options?

**Riet** · 05-09-2011, 09:14 PM

Assassin?

Otherwise, I'm not really sure. Most careers today require some amount of collaboration, and those that don't often require specialization few have; especially if you're wanting to start fresh, I'd recommend reassessing your ideas about work. Surely there is someplace you can work where you can feel relatively comfortable and therefore produce your best work...

**Pendragon** · 05-10-2011, 04:50 AM

Dictator?

Have you considered taking over a small country?

**ElstonGunn** · 05-10-2011, 05:01 AM

Start looking for a horse named Silver?
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Anything that could be done freelance might work, although that doesn't really narrow things down all that much. Writing and consulting were the first two specific jobs that came to my mind.

Since you can work with people who have some minimum level of diligence, have you considered looking at it in terms of who you work with instead of what the work itself is? I'm sure there's a company or two out there that has the kind of culture that you'd fit in well with. You'd know better than I do, but my understanding was that IT-related positions are one of the jobs where "individual contributors" (people not on teams or managing other people) can do rather well for themselves. Just as a point of reference, and not as an actual suggestion in itself, what would you think about working for the Google, or a company like that?

**Warrior** · 05-10-2011, 06:55 AM

Sounds like the R&D area of some companies would be a good fit. You'd have to get more on the research side, though. Sounds like you would hate the development part, which is where I work. I really don't like the research side for a variety of reasons, but they do tend to offer more freedom in work assignments and working arrangements.

**gestalt** · 05-10-2011, 08:29 AM

The startup entrepreneur thing resulting in a young person being fantastically rich is, in my opinion, a pernicious myth.

Career choice? Well if you want real good ROI you probably want to homestead.

**Tyrant Soup** · 05-11-2011, 06:11 PM

You will find politics in any profession. You need to learn to deal with it in a way that will bring positive results. What do you specifically dislike about your previous environments?

**Korovjov** · 05-12-2011, 03:46 AM

I'm also working in IT in finance industry, and what you write about here is (almost) exactly what I see and feel myself.

I’ve been in IT for a long time already, and I’ve worked in various fields of it. I’m pure bred IT professional and what I’ve noticed, especially since “e-commerce boom”, is surge of people who are not native to IT (like historians, geologists and what not) and those were the ones I’ve had most struggle with, simply because they can’t grasp the basic concepts of decent development. I mean, how do you explain why does database model looks the way it does to a geologists with 6 months course in Visual Basic? And yet, he’s convinced he knows better…

The other thing that drives me crazy is statements like “we have to deliver something and deliver it fast”, “just make it work now and we’ll fix the issues later”... If you try and point out why something is not good and will require much (much!) more time and careful planning and impact analysis and zillion other things, you’re perceived as “theorist”, “hindering team efforts”, “naysayer”, or even worse…

The latter one, I believe, is caused mainly by lower management and team leads trying hard to kiss as many upper management arses as possible. So what they do is hide behind catchphrases and buzzwords, while actively denying facing real issues at hand and dealing with actual problems. Let us not forget that “leadership is nature's way of removing morons from the productive flow”
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I have friends working in IT, and I keep hearing the very same stories over and over again, from all over the globe…

Because of those things, I’ve started to loathe IT, although it was my first choice of career. I’m now trying to figure out exactly what I would like to do and what my working environment should look like, and then start looking for the best fit (or starting something on my own, but that’s not very appealing to me, because you need to be a good salesman and politician, both of which I am most definitely not
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
). Not an easy task for our types, I would say...
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

So far, I know I don’t want to do any development any more. Some place where I can operate with concepts and ideas, giving (strategic) advice to people seems to be what I’m after, and by the looks of it, you might be also.

If you manage to figure out what that perfect career might be, please do tell
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

**stealthfighter** · 05-12-2011, 06:35 AM

I share pretty much the same attributes that you posses, only I work as a teacher and not in the IT field. I have the same sentiments in my workplace, incompetent team management and overrated social ideals. I tend to work better on my own and one of the things I hate is being prompted by someone to do something that is sure failure and with superiors not even mindful about it. Needless to say, most workplaces regardless of field actually reinforces the same condition on their employees. I guess it depends on the employee as to how far he can go and tolerate such conditions for the sake of pursuing a career. I've heard that yahoo.com actively promotes individual eccentricity in their employee ranks in order to exploit their creativity. Until most companies get liberated from their obsession with international standards, most people will likely spend much of their careers following ridiculous orders and living the illusions of a "dream team."

**jkatra** · 05-12-2011, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Mogura
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I have a Lone Ranger workstyle, which means that I require flexibility, change of pace and lots of space in my working environment. I am also a bit of a control freak, and I don't like being constrained by arbitrary regulations or other factors that would adversely affect the quality of the product or deliverable I'm working on (yes, I'm a perfectionist, too). I hate the word, "team" because while in theory it sounds nice, the reality is often the opposite.

Maybe get away from IT in the finance field, and actually go into finance. There are many independent, control freak people in finance. Or go into any research-oriented role.

**Socalgal70** · 05-12-2011, 02:22 PM

You may want to research Arbitrage Trading...interesting field that fits some of your core requirements.

**Mogura** · 05-12-2011, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Korovjov
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I’ve been in IT for a long time already, and I’ve worked in various fields of it. I’m pure bred IT professional and what I’ve noticed, especially since “e-commerce boom”, is surge of people who are not native to IT (like historians, geologists and what not) and those were the ones I’ve had most struggle with, simply because they can’t grasp the basic concepts of decent development. I mean, how do you explain why does database model looks the way it does to a geologists with 6 months course in Visual Basic? And yet, he’s convinced he knows better…

Slightly off-topic, but I feel that I should respond to this. I, like those you mention, am not a "pure-bred" IT professional. I am doing it because when I decided to get into it, it offered good pay and job security. I am certainly not passionate about computers or IT--though, I am passionate about learning and expanding my skill set which seemed to get me through and notch up some successes and career wins along the way.

Anyway, I always felt sympathy (or empathy?) for the non-native IT workers. They had career interests and passions (in geology, biology, history, etc.), and I'm sure they would rather be with their "first love". But economics, personal circumstances, etc. led them to make the career choice that they did. Some of them do end up doing pretty good work in IT. Others end up frustrated and bitter. FWIW, one of my best managers had a PhD in geology. The worst ones had degrees in CS/MIS...

**Nujabes** · 05-16-2011, 02:35 AM

freelance work...

personally i'm an animator which allows me tons of freedom and I don't have to work with anybody

photographer, journalist, professional youtuber

crap like this

**Daimonos** · 05-16-2011, 05:04 AM

Writer, researcher, hermit, farmer, scientist, entrepreneur (although it depends what business you're in), truck driver, artist.

05-09-2011, 08:55 PM	#1
Mogura Core Member [175%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7,031	I have a Lone Ranger workstyle, which means that I require flexibility, change of pace and lots of space in my working environment. I am also a bit of a control freak, and I don't like being constrained by arbitrary regulations or other factors that would adversely affect the quality of the product or deliverable I'm working on (yes, I'm a perfectionist, too). I hate the word, "team" because while in theory it sounds nice, the reality is often the opposite. I enjoy working with emotionally mature, professionally-minded adults. If you can't manage that as a bare minimum then I'd rather work alone. I'd prefer to be your friend--hey, let's grab a beer together after work and talk about things totally not related to work. But if politics, backbiting, and lip service is your game, then I'm not having any of it--fuck off. I don't want to lead, nor do I want to follow. I want to learn, grow, and excel. Authenticity and integrity matter to me. This, in a nutshell, is my workstyle. And because of this I have struggled with working in traditional office environments most of my life. This sucks. I am a hard worker, an efficient worker, and I enjoy work. But at the same time I'm profoundly unhappy because of all of the bullshit that comes along with it. I've been working in IT in the finance industry for a number of years. I've "been there, done that" in at least 6 different financial services companies (SSDB). Lately, I'm finding it an absolute struggle to go into the office. I want to start afresh, start anew. Leave this life behind me and focus on something where I get a better ROI on my own sweat and effort. Career options?
Mogura is offline post a comment

05-09-2011, 09:14 PM	#2
Riet New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 18	Assassin? Otherwise, I'm not really sure. Most careers today require some amount of collaboration, and those that don't often require specialization few have; especially if you're wanting to start fresh, I'd recommend reassessing your ideas about work. Surely there is someplace you can work where you can feel relatively comfortable and therefore produce your best work...
Riet is offline post a comment

05-10-2011, 04:50 AM	#3
Pendragon New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 18	Dictator? Have you considered taking over a small country?
Pendragon is offline post a comment

05-10-2011, 05:01 AM	#4
ElstonGunn Core Member [150%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 6,034	Start looking for a horse named Silver? To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Anything that could be done freelance might work, although that doesn't really narrow things down all that much. Writing and consulting were the first two specific jobs that came to my mind. Since you can work with people who have some minimum level of diligence, have you considered looking at it in terms of who you work with instead of what the work itself is? I'm sure there's a company or two out there that has the kind of culture that you'd fit in well with. You'd know better than I do, but my understanding was that IT-related positions are one of the jobs where "individual contributors" (people not on teams or managing other people) can do rather well for themselves. Just as a point of reference, and not as an actual suggestion in itself, what would you think about working for the Google, or a company like that?
ElstonGunn is offline post a comment

05-10-2011, 06:55 AM	#5
Warrior Core Member [227%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,119	Sounds like the R&D area of some companies would be a good fit. You'd have to get more on the research side, though. Sounds like you would hate the development part, which is where I work. I really don't like the research side for a variety of reasons, but they do tend to offer more freedom in work assignments and working arrangements.
Warrior is offline post a comment

05-10-2011, 08:29 AM	#6
gestalt Veteran Member [84%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3,374	The startup entrepreneur thing resulting in a young person being fantastically rich is, in my opinion, a pernicious myth. Career choice? Well if you want real good ROI you probably want to homestead.
gestalt is offline post a comment

05-11-2011, 06:11 PM	#7
Tyrant Soup Member [40%] MBTI: intj Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,608	You will find politics in any profession. You need to learn to deal with it in a way that will bring positive results. What do you specifically dislike about your previous environments?
Tyrant Soup is offline post a comment

05-12-2011, 03:46 AM	#8
Korovjov New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 27	I'm also working in IT in finance industry, and what you write about here is (almost) exactly what I see and feel myself. I’ve been in IT for a long time already, and I’ve worked in various fields of it. I’m pure bred IT professional and what I’ve noticed, especially since “e-commerce boom”, is surge of people who are not native to IT (like historians, geologists and what not) and those were the ones I’ve had most struggle with, simply because they can’t grasp the basic concepts of decent development. I mean, how do you explain why does database model looks the way it does to a geologists with 6 months course in Visual Basic? And yet, he’s convinced he knows better… The other thing that drives me crazy is statements like “we have to deliver something and deliver it fast”, “just make it work now and we’ll fix the issues later”... If you try and point out why something is not good and will require much (much!) more time and careful planning and impact analysis and zillion other things, you’re perceived as “theorist”, “hindering team efforts”, “naysayer”, or even worse… The latter one, I believe, is caused mainly by lower management and team leads trying hard to kiss as many upper management arses as possible. So what they do is hide behind catchphrases and buzzwords, while actively denying facing real issues at hand and dealing with actual problems. Let us not forget that “leadership is nature's way of removing morons from the productive flow” To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. I have friends working in IT, and I keep hearing the very same stories over and over again, from all over the globe… Because of those things, I’ve started to loathe IT, although it was my first choice of career. I’m now trying to figure out exactly what I would like to do and what my working environment should look like, and then start looking for the best fit (or starting something on my own, but that’s not very appealing to me, because you need to be a good salesman and politician, both of which I am most definitely not To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ). Not an easy task for our types, I would say... To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. So far, I know I don’t want to do any development any more. Some place where I can operate with concepts and ideas, giving (strategic) advice to people seems to be what I’m after, and by the looks of it, you might be also. If you manage to figure out what that perfect career might be, please do tell To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Korovjov is offline post a comment

05-12-2011, 06:35 AM	#9
stealthfighter Veteran Member [84%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 3,388	I share pretty much the same attributes that you posses, only I work as a teacher and not in the IT field. I have the same sentiments in my workplace, incompetent team management and overrated social ideals. I tend to work better on my own and one of the things I hate is being prompted by someone to do something that is sure failure and with superiors not even mindful about it. Needless to say, most workplaces regardless of field actually reinforces the same condition on their employees. I guess it depends on the employee as to how far he can go and tolerate such conditions for the sake of pursuing a career. I've heard that yahoo.com actively promotes individual eccentricity in their employee ranks in order to exploit their creativity. Until most companies get liberated from their obsession with international standards, most people will likely spend much of their careers following ridiculous orders and living the illusions of a "dream team."
stealthfighter is offline post a comment

05-12-2011, 02:22 PM	#11
Socalgal70 New Member [01%] MBTI: intj Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 9	You may want to research Arbitrage Trading...interesting field that fits some of your core requirements.
Socalgal70 is offline post a comment

05-16-2011, 02:35 AM	#13
Nujabes Banned MBTI: Intj Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 165	freelance work... personally i'm an animator which allows me tons of freedom and I don't have to work with anybody photographer, journalist, professional youtuber crap like this
Nujabes is offline post a comment

05-16-2011, 05:04 AM	#14
Daimonos New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 39	Writer, researcher, hermit, farmer, scientist, entrepreneur (although it depends what business you're in), truck driver, artist.
Daimonos is offline post a comment