Best job role for an INTJ with broad IT experience?

**Mateo1041** · 02-12-2010, 09:45 PM

I've never really put much thought into career path before and just went with what sounded interesting and paid adequately. I'm at the point now where I'd absolutely like to seriously examine a career path and really figure out what I'd be comfortable with as an INTJ.

I've worked with servers, networking (IP/DNS/routing/firewalls), web development, databases, and IT troubleshooting for about 10 years. I've also covered the business "hands-off" side of the equation by owning my own side business and filling a client/implementation management role.

Should I move into something like project management? Some other kind of technology planning? Director of IT? An architect role? Or is the hands-on stuff what INTJ's are truly good at? I really like variety and that's been a factor for switching jobs in the past. I like a challenge.

Just curious if there are any other INTJ technology guys/gals out there and what you've found you are good at and enjoyed.

**lowbrass** · 02-13-2010, 01:53 AM

I've been enjoying myself as a sort of jack of all trades administrator. I've got my own web servers, firewalls + rules, switches, racks, etc. And I also do occasional support. I will occasionally do side jobs, but I've been enjoying my current job for about a decade. I had been on the Internet since '95 and in '96 I worked for an Internet provider... and that one job, even though I had it for 6 months, was responsible for giving me a world of opportunities later in life.

I'm a bit different in that I really don't want my job to change. However, as I grow older, I find it's inevitable that I'll be taken from the trenches and forced to manage people instead of machines. Despite the fact that my business aptitudes (outside of IT) are growing and growing, I'm not looking forward to switching from technology to pen and paper. Even worse, I do seem to be getting better at delegating tasks, even though I rarely have to do this.

I should also add that because I handle so many things IT, I often get to purchase things, hardware especially, that I get to learn about on the job. For me, the biggest challenge is that budgets are slim... and I still have to get something working, even if it's not the most ideal or most professional setup.

If you've really got all that going on, why not continue to do what you're doing. Pick one, follow through with something, and then try on a different hat. It's been working for you so there's probably no need to worry about changing it.

**elsdfr** · 02-13-2010, 02:25 AM

I spent a few years in system admin, linux, cisco roles and ended up doing a short stint in hands on communications work, the combination of both allowed me to work as a field IT Officer for a Telco and further part time study has given me a chance to work alongside Communication Engineers in network design. Best thing I ever did was get a job that gets me out of the office every now and then. I also like working on things were the result is something most people can appreciate.

**Mateo1041** · 02-13-2010, 07:25 AM

You ask a good question, lowbrass. So far in my career I've been with small companies and have been able to get a lot of hands on experience with various technologies. I've never really been in a silo'd position before. The one thing I do have a lot of experience in is web design/development and I now find that boring. Thus I'm trying to decide where I should go next. I love creating things and taking ownership (being the "go to" guy). My concern is that I won't get very far by randomly choosing jobs. I'd rather decide on what I like and try a more structured career path.

**lowbrass** · 02-13-2010, 08:12 AM

Ok, then I could easily see you as an IT Director, perhaps Systems Analyst. If you're good at firewalls and networking, many people need competent IT security. That stuff's always changing, so you'd have the challenge of preparation and/or deployment of newer/better tactics. Or you could just revamp a business that's weak on their IT implementation. Get in there, set things up, show them how to work it, and hand it off to someone else.

Since you've had your own business, do you think contracting is something viable? You could set a period of a year or two, so you're not tied down to one project forever. If you do it really well, maybe they'll want to 'keep' you as that go-to guy.

I wasn't thinking about it before, but I can see why you seek change now and then. Sometimes I get a feeling that once I've accomplished some sort of 'milestone', it flips a switch in my head that tells me, "ok, won't have to do that again". When that happens, I start working on something else intensely. Even though my main duties are still the same, I have many different areas of focus over the year. I'll purposely avoid the things I've 'switched off' or have a hard time concentrating on them when something else is in my focus.

**cp444** · 02-17-2010, 06:38 AM

I can say something on behalf of managers and project managers. Managers and project managers from an IT background can have different types of powers in different organizations. One of the powers that is sought from young project managers (20s and 30s, and even in their 40s,) is expert power. By expert power, I mean, they need to have some type of expertise in a technology. If you fall in this category, a good way to start is to work as a project lead, or junior project manager in the technology you are comfortable with. Take a course in project management, and eventually certify as a PMP. The pay is as great as the functional architects, system analysts, and senior programmers. Hope this helps
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**Mateo1041** · 02-17-2010, 04:42 PM

My strong suit is web technology, so perhaps a management position related to this may be in option in the future. Thanks everyone for your input. I've thought about contracting, but would prefer the stability of full-time employment as I have a family and four kiddos. :-) To me, working for myself has been a hassle in the past. I don't really care for the accounting and day to day operation aspect as much as I do the actual implementation and communication with clients. Maybe something that could have been outsourced.

I just received an offer today for a Database Marketing Analyst position at a casino. It pays less than my previous job, but I think I'd enjoy it more. I'm also excited to get into more of an analyst role.

02-12-2010, 09:45 PM	#1
Mateo1041 Member [04%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 196	I've never really put much thought into career path before and just went with what sounded interesting and paid adequately. I'm at the point now where I'd absolutely like to seriously examine a career path and really figure out what I'd be comfortable with as an INTJ. I've worked with servers, networking (IP/DNS/routing/firewalls), web development, databases, and IT troubleshooting for about 10 years. I've also covered the business "hands-off" side of the equation by owning my own side business and filling a client/implementation management role. Should I move into something like project management? Some other kind of technology planning? Director of IT? An architect role? Or is the hands-on stuff what INTJ's are truly good at? I really like variety and that's been a factor for switching jobs in the past. I like a challenge. Just curious if there are any other INTJ technology guys/gals out there and what you've found you are good at and enjoyed.
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02-13-2010, 01:53 AM	#2
lowbrass Member [03%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 153	I've been enjoying myself as a sort of jack of all trades administrator. I've got my own web servers, firewalls + rules, switches, racks, etc. And I also do occasional support. I will occasionally do side jobs, but I've been enjoying my current job for about a decade. I had been on the Internet since '95 and in '96 I worked for an Internet provider... and that one job, even though I had it for 6 months, was responsible for giving me a world of opportunities later in life. I'm a bit different in that I really don't want my job to change. However, as I grow older, I find it's inevitable that I'll be taken from the trenches and forced to manage people instead of machines. Despite the fact that my business aptitudes (outside of IT) are growing and growing, I'm not looking forward to switching from technology to pen and paper. Even worse, I do seem to be getting better at delegating tasks, even though I rarely have to do this. I should also add that because I handle so many things IT, I often get to purchase things, hardware especially, that I get to learn about on the job. For me, the biggest challenge is that budgets are slim... and I still have to get something working, even if it's not the most ideal or most professional setup. If you've really got all that going on, why not continue to do what you're doing. Pick one, follow through with something, and then try on a different hat. It's been working for you so there's probably no need to worry about changing it.
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02-13-2010, 02:25 AM	#3
elsdfr Veteran Member [52%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,089	I spent a few years in system admin, linux, cisco roles and ended up doing a short stint in hands on communications work, the combination of both allowed me to work as a field IT Officer for a Telco and further part time study has given me a chance to work alongside Communication Engineers in network design. Best thing I ever did was get a job that gets me out of the office every now and then. I also like working on things were the result is something most people can appreciate.
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02-13-2010, 07:25 AM	#4
Mateo1041 Member [04%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 196	You ask a good question, lowbrass. So far in my career I've been with small companies and have been able to get a lot of hands on experience with various technologies. I've never really been in a silo'd position before. The one thing I do have a lot of experience in is web design/development and I now find that boring. Thus I'm trying to decide where I should go next. I love creating things and taking ownership (being the "go to" guy). My concern is that I won't get very far by randomly choosing jobs. I'd rather decide on what I like and try a more structured career path. Last edited by Mateo1041; 02-13-2010 at 10:41 AM.
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02-13-2010, 08:12 AM	#5
lowbrass Member [03%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 153	Ok, then I could easily see you as an IT Director, perhaps Systems Analyst. If you're good at firewalls and networking, many people need competent IT security. That stuff's always changing, so you'd have the challenge of preparation and/or deployment of newer/better tactics. Or you could just revamp a business that's weak on their IT implementation. Get in there, set things up, show them how to work it, and hand it off to someone else. Since you've had your own business, do you think contracting is something viable? You could set a period of a year or two, so you're not tied down to one project forever. If you do it really well, maybe they'll want to 'keep' you as that go-to guy. I wasn't thinking about it before, but I can see why you seek change now and then. Sometimes I get a feeling that once I've accomplished some sort of 'milestone', it flips a switch in my head that tells me, "ok, won't have to do that again". When that happens, I start working on something else intensely. Even though my main duties are still the same, I have many different areas of focus over the year. I'll purposely avoid the things I've 'switched off' or have a hard time concentrating on them when something else is in my focus.
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02-17-2010, 06:38 AM	#6
cp444 New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 57	I can say something on behalf of managers and project managers. Managers and project managers from an IT background can have different types of powers in different organizations. One of the powers that is sought from young project managers (20s and 30s, and even in their 40s,) is expert power. By expert power, I mean, they need to have some type of expertise in a technology. If you fall in this category, a good way to start is to work as a project lead, or junior project manager in the technology you are comfortable with. Take a course in project management, and eventually certify as a PMP. The pay is as great as the functional architects, system analysts, and senior programmers. Hope this helps To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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02-17-2010, 04:42 PM	#7
Mateo1041 Member [04%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 196	My strong suit is web technology, so perhaps a management position related to this may be in option in the future. Thanks everyone for your input. I've thought about contracting, but would prefer the stability of full-time employment as I have a family and four kiddos. :-) To me, working for myself has been a hassle in the past. I don't really care for the accounting and day to day operation aspect as much as I do the actual implementation and communication with clients. Maybe something that could have been outsourced. I just received an offer today for a Database Marketing Analyst position at a casino. It pays less than my previous job, but I think I'd enjoy it more. I'm also excited to get into more of an analyst role.
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