If you are looking for the best majors for introverts, this article is for you. Different Myers-Briggs personality types require different types of environments and engagement. The “I” in INTP, for instance, stands for “introverted,” and an INTP career will look different than an ENTP career. To help you get started on a suitable career path, this article lists the best college majors for introverts and how much money you can expect to make with a degree in these fields.
We’ve also provided tips for finding support while at school. We end the article with the best jobs for introverts, with or without a degree. Being an introvert doesn’t have to hinder your success. Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, and Meryl Streep are just a few introverts who have proved this to be true.
What Is the Best Major for Introverts?
The best majors for introverts include veterinary medicine, software engineering, and chemistry because they require limited interaction with people and offer high-paying salaries and excellent job outlooks.
Introverts often find social engagement difficult, but learning the social skills necessary to participate and engage is highly beneficial to their careers and self-esteem, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Having adequate support can make this easier.
How to Find Support for Introverts in College
- Join clubs and organizations. Joining clubs and organizations that center around an activity or a subject of interest helps introverts find people with something in common.
- Take advantage of technology. Using technology to communicate electronically can help introverts build relationships while still limiting their social interaction if necessary.
- Reach out to your professors. There is no shame in admitting you need help. Reach out to your professors after class or in an email and explain that you are committed but sometimes find it difficult to engage.
- Participate in group study sessions. Studying with fellow students can help introverts find people who are interested in the same things and are perhaps introverts themselves. This can also help you build a support system.
- Find a friend. Since making friends can be a challenge for introverts, they might not try to do it. But finding a friend can help you relax and have fun, which is important for stress relief.
What Are the Best Majors for Introverts?
- Veterinary Medicine | Average Salary: $88,000
- Software Engineering | Average Salary: $84,000
- Chemistry | Average Salary: $78,000
- Information Technology | Average Salary: $77,000
- Business Administration | Average Salary: $75,000
- Accounting | Average Salary: $74,000
- Journalism | Average Salary: $67,000
- Psychology | Average Salary: $66,000
- Culinary Arts | Average Salary: $62,000
- Graphic Design | Average Salary: $58,000
Best College Majors for Introverts: Explained
Veterinary Medicine| | Average Salary: $88,000
A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree equips prospective veterinarians with the skills and knowledge they need to provide medical care for animals. Vets treat animals’ illnesses and injuries, provide vaccinations, and perform surgeries. Associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees are available in this field.
Software Engineering | Average Salary: $84,000
A Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering educates students in the subset of computer science dealing with designing and building computer systems and applications and working with database systems, websites, and mobile apps. Associate degrees, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees are available for software engineering students.
Chemistry | Average Salary: $78,000
Degrees in chemistry can be obtained at the level of associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD. A bachelor’s degree can help you become a research scientist and perform laboratory-controlled tests and experiments. Educational institutes and government or environmental organizations are places where you might work, gathering results, analyzing data, and determining outcomes from experiments.
Information Technology | Average Salary: $77,000
Degrees in IT and computer science exist at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels. A Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology (IT) educates students in technical support, hardware and software installation, and information systems maintenance and security. Many top-rated data science bootcamps also educate students in IT.
Business Administration | Average Salary: $75,000
A degree in business administration equips students with business knowledge and skills in subjects like project management, logistics management, marketing, and accounting. You can become an account manager with a degree in business administration. Associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees are available for business administration.
Accounting | Average Salary: $74,000
Acquiring a degree in accounting teaches students how to record and analyze businesses’ financial transactions to ensure efficient and profitable operations. Degrees for accounting exist from the associate level up to the PhD level and can lead to careers as an accountant, forensic accountant, auditor, or tax accountant.
Journalism | Average Salary: $67,000
A journalism degree might include education in broadcasting, communications, public relations, advertising, and film and media production. Degrees exist from the associate level to the PhD level. Professions for this major include journalist, content manager, editor, videographer, data research analyst, copywriter, and social media manager.
Psychology | Average Salary: $66,000
A psychology degree empowers students with knowledge in the scientific aspect of mental processes and how these processes affect people’s behavior from a neural to a cultural level. Associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees are available to pursue. Careers in psychology include therapist, psychologist, caseworker, correctional counselor, and school and employment counselor.
Culinary Arts | Average Salary: $62,000
A culinary arts degree can help you secure an executive chef position. Culinary arts degree programs educate you in planning menus, supervising and training teams, creating budgets, and maintaining food preparation standards. You can find associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees in the culinary arts.
Graphic Design | Average Salary: $58,000
Degrees in graphic design are available from the associate to master’s degree level. This education empowers students to design projects using a variety of tools and methods to engage audiences and promote products and services. Careers in graphic design include multimedia artist, fashion designer, and animator.
Top 10 Best Jobs for Introverts
Since introverts prefer limited social interaction, the best jobs for introverts provide a considerable amount of work that can be done alone. The list below features careers for introverts that require less human interaction than the average job but are still lucrative and rewarding.
Veterinarian
- Average Salary: $100,370
- Job Outlook: 17% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Doctoral degree
Vets diagnose and treat animals with illnesses and injuries and help healthy animals maintain their health. They work at veterinary clinics as well as at zoos, rescue centers, and other facilities where animals are found. Vital soft skills needed for this role are patience and compassion. This is an excellent career for those who prefer interacting with animals over interacting with people.
Software Engineer
- Average Salary: $110,140
- Job Outlook: 22% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
A job in software engineering is a good fit for introverts. Software engineers write code and test and repair computer software programs. Professionals in this realm most often work alone and occasionally communicate with teams. Many software engineers work remotely, and it is a career with a high-paying average salary.
Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Average Salary: $131,490
- Job Outlook: 22% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Master’s degree
Computer and information research science involves designing innovative uses for new and existing technology and studying and resolving perplexing problems in computing for business, science, and medicine. It’s a promising career for introverts because much of the work can be done alone, and some work as freelancers.
Information Technology (IT) Security Specialist
- Average Salary: $102,600
- Job Outlook: 33% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Information technology security specialists focus on keeping a company’s computer and network IT safe from the risk of potential hackers or breaches in security with malicious intent. This role requires a considerable amount of solo work, which makes it a good fit for introverts.
Administrative Services and Facilities Managers
- Average Salary: $99,290
- Job Outlook: 9% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Administrative services and facilities managers are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating activities that ensure the efficient running of an organization. This is a good fit for introverts because much of the work can be done solo with some communication and collaboration with key stakeholders. Degree levels available are from associate to PhD.
Accountants and Auditors
- Average Salary: $77,250
- Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Degrees in accounting can be obtained from the associate to PhD level. Accountants and auditors record and examine financial records to identify areas of opportunity or risk and prepare solutions for businesses and individuals. Much of the work done by these professionals is done in isolation, making it a good fit for introverts.
Content Manager
- Average Salary: $61,030
- Job Outlook: 10% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Content managers improve a business’s content creation and marketing strategies to align with the company’s brand guidelines and goals. Content managers can work from home, allowing for a personalized workspace conducive to creative thinking, making it an ideal job for introverts. A Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism will help you land this job, and degrees are also available at the associate, master’s, and PhD levels.
Behavioral Therapist
- Average Salary: $48,520
- Job Outlook: 23% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Behavioral therapists spend a lot of time listening to patients who suffer from mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addiction, and ADD. This makes it a good job for an introverted person. Psychology degrees can be acquired at all levels, from associate to PhD.
Executive Chef
- Average Salary: $63,755
- Job Outlook: 25% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent
An executive chef with a degree in the culinary arts creatively plans menus and makes decisions on behalf of a team. They supervise food preparation, train staff, create budgets, and manage food quality. Most communication takes place during service, and most planning is done independently, making this one of the best jobs for introverts. Associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees are available to pursue.
Graphic Designer
- Average Salary: $50,710
- Job Outlook: 3% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Graphic design involves creating captivating visuals for advertisements, brochures, websites, and more by hand or using computer software. Much of this work can be done alone, making this an excellent job for introverts. Degrees available in the US are from the associate level to master’s.
Best Jobs for Introverts Without a Degree
Social interaction for introverts can be nerve-racking and exhausting. As a result, introverts might avoid going to college to pursue a degree. However, there are still solid career opportunities available to them, many of which require limited person-to-person interaction. Here are some examples.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
- Freelance Writer. This career for introverts can be done from home or remotely. Creative writing and technical writing, some would say, is easier to do in a quiet place anyway. Limited social interaction makes this a good option for introverts.
- Web Developer. This job is easily done remotely and includes limited interaction with people, making it another fantastic option for introverts. Most interaction is to define the parameters of the project at hand.
- Bookkeeper. This accounting job is for people who are good with numbers and mostly requires interaction with a manager or business owner. Many people also do this profession remotely or from home.
- Video Editor. This career for introverts allows them to use their creative skills in video editing, short films, videos for social media, and more. There is little need for human interaction; however, you will need to exhibit proficiency in video editing software.
- Video Game Designer. Video game design is another option for imaginative introverts who enjoy creating visual storytelling. While you will provide feedback and communicate with stakeholders, much of this can be done remotely.
Should Introverts Go to College?
Yes, introverts should go to college, whether they choose on-campus or online learning. Acquiring the skills and knowledge to pursue your desired career is essential to securing employment in your field. There are also many diverse careers and side hustles for introverts to choose from, including many with high-paying salaries.
Additionally, these careers can often be done remotely, meaning that introverts can enjoy solitude when it’s needed and better manage their schedules and interactions.
Best Majors for Introverts FAQ
An introvert is a personality type that may need silence to concentrate and is reflective and self-aware. Introverts typically prefer to take their time when making decisions, feel comfortable being alone, would rather write than talk, and feel tired after being in a crowd. This is the opposite of an extrovert.
According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of a four-year college in the US is $35,331 per year, including books, supplies, and living expenses.
The best majors for creative introverts are those in the liberal arts, graphic design, web development, animation, and marketing.
The best majors for analytical introverts include cyber security, computer science, computer programming, and engineering majors.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
