<p>I normally have little patience with various personality sorters and self-help books but have found the underlying concepts behind MBTI to be very useful and thus valid. (See also, we Virgos don’t believe in astrology.) I have mentally re-tagged two of the scales: live in your head vs. through your body senses (N vs S) and goal oriented vs. process oriented (J vs P). The previously expressed caveats that Introversion/Extraversion and Thinking/Feeling have precise meanings that don’t completely align with colloquial usage also apply.</p>
<p>Another caveat is that while one mode may be dominant, we can bounce around from day to day within ranges. That said, I’ve tested very consistently over two decades as an XNTX (X = a very close balance between I/E and J/P). Long-term shifts seem to be from Introverted to slight Extroversion and from J to a J/P balance. </p>
<p>If you read the MBTI material on an NT, there is no doubt at all that I’m a fairly extreme NT in behavior and outlook, with an N score close to top of scale and a pretty emphatic T score as well.</p>
<p>In particular, I’ve found MBTI useful to identify sources of friction between people by looking at fundamental differences in world view implicit in different MBTI categories. It’s been reassuring that I’ve come to understand why SJ’s, in particular, drive me nuts, but that I can understand and talk to them in terms that make sense to them, e.g., a respect for authority, tradition, and hierarchy…all of which I’m not particularly patient with myself.</p>
<p>(Whereas with NF’s, I’m always thinking, that’s awfully exciting but isn’t it dangerous to live life that way?)</p>
<p>Apply final caveat that the map is not the territory.</p>
<p>I’ve found MBTI to be useful enough and valid enough that if I’ve known someone for a while or sometimes even just talk to someone for an hour or so, I can write down their test results on a piece of paper and then have them take the test and the results will usually be pretty close, not only to type but as to relatively how strong/weak they are on each scale.</p>
<p>“Idealistic” is good and there are many places where a lawyer can do good for individuals and society as a whole. On the other hand, there will be assignments that a lawyer may be asked to do that he thinks is repugnant–think along the lines of “How can we get that widow and her children out of that house?”, etc.</p>
<p>“Do not like conflict, go to great lengths to avoid it.” I think that a person who feels like this way will not be happy to be a lawyer. Yes, there are some specialties that don’t see as much conflict as others, but whether you’re negotiating something in a contract, litigating a case, trying to get someone to do something that they don’t want to do, dealing with regulators and bureaucrats, etc.–there’s conflict and a person who doesn’t shy away from conflict will be a happier lawyer.</p>
<p>I read this thread for the first time today as I have never encountered a M-B test and have never been interested in a legal career. So it gave me goosebumps to read LTS post, especially remembering the knots she tied herself into over having to chair a panel of experts. She was so concerned about not knowing enough about the subject. That post captured her so well!</p>
<p>I am an INFP and used to be a paralegal and law librarian. I did not mind the actual duties of my narrow job in the law field except for dealing with lots of lawyers. Not that they were bad people (far from it!), but we lived on entirely different planets. My son is entertaining the idea of law school, and although he is not an INFP, nonetheless I don’t think he has the personality structure for it. It’ll be up to him, of course. I do want him to work for a summer in a law firm of something like that, though, so he can experience that culture before making such a committment. (Interestingly, he’s also mentioned being interested in the CIA, which actually does make more sense.)</p>
<p>I’ve been an attorney in private practice for many years now. I can say the Law is a very jealous master (mistress). Pursuing the Law as a career can yield tremendous highs and very deep lows. During orientation, my law school had all 1Ls take the Myers-Briggs. The results were just about every possible combination of types. </p>
<p>A helpful book for those discerning what type of career to choose is “Now What? The Young Person’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Career,” bu Nicholas Lore. I’ve read it through with my daughter and it appears to be dead on with her personality and career interests.</p>
<p>Marite, I wondered if other old hands here also had that start seeing Late to School’s input here…substantive and interesting post, as always, yes? </p>
<p>BTW…I doubt you needed the Meyers Brigg to help you clarify your direction in life! :)</p>
<p>I’m an attorney, and an ENFP. (Three out of four ain’t bad.)</p>
<p>I used to sue people, and defended a few people accused of crimes, for the first dozen years I practiced law. I’ve worked in-house negotiating contracts for the last 12-plus years, and anticipate doing more of the same until I retire. I know lots of introverts who have practiced law; my wife is one of them.</p>
<p>I’m an INFP and a litigator. i chose law to follow in the footsteps of my father. BAD MISTAKE. Been practicing for 7 years now and it’s a living hell. </p>
<p>Like others have said, the law is a broad profession…but the adversarial nature of most areas of law makes it really, really tough for an INFP. Lots and lots of confrontations every single day…lots of fighting. It’s never really about solving problems or doing the right thing. It’s about winning. It’s often disgusting. I’m looking to separate myself from the profession soon.</p>
<p>I typed in “INFP” and “lawyer” and this thread was the first search result in google! I’ve read through all this thread today because I test INFP too and I’m confused as hell, unemployed and not sure what career to pursue. Law seems to meet my intellectual interests but I’m not sure if I have the personality for it. The most common theme here seems to be that:</p>
<ol>
<li>Don’t let personality tests decide your future, you can do anything you want.</li>
<li>Law requires long long hours.</li>
<li>Law involves dealing with plenty of conflict, confrontation, and fights.</li>
<li>Law is about winning…at any cost.</li>
<li>Law school itself is brutal.</li>
</ol>
<p>So if we replace “INFP” with “idealist” it does still seem like law would be the wrong choice for me. This is very hard, as I studied social sciences and psychology in university but then realized that I can not spend the rest of my life dealing with people’s mental health issues doing therapy, since it can really take a toll on me. I’m a sensitive and shy guy. What I want is a career where I help people in some way, like by improving their lives, not hurt others, not be forced to do what somebody wants at whatever cost to myself or others involves (personal ehtics), and I want to make enough money not to worry about paying the bills but also help my family financially to some extent. That, to me, means make more than 60k/yr before taxes. </p>
<p>I also considered getting a PhD in social sciences but I don’t have the discipline for 5-6 yrs of research that is required and the kind of lifestyle that is all research all day long. I need interaction, one on one, with people. I am so not made for business, so that’s out. I am a creative person, quite intuitive, idealist, romantic too. Doesn’t matter what I study but if I find it meaningful and interesting, I usually do well. I’ve done well in courses as different as college math, psychology, and chemistry. </p>
<p>I really hope there is a way I can make a good living and also stay true to who I am.</p>
<p>@artless - you’ve posted to an old thread here, so i’m not sure there will be a reply for you. What I do know is that I am also an infp & what you’ve described about yourself & your Career needs match my feelings about me & my career needs too. I don’t have an answer for you as I have cycled through several careers it seems & am looking to change right now. What I can invite you to do is to look at your passions, what are you passionate about? Work in that area. Check out ngo’s. Are you wondering what to major in or are you wondering what type of work to do (if the latter, what is your degree in?)</p>