A number of people identify their personalities as introverts or extroverts and excel in job positions that best suit their characters. For instance, some people strive when working with others, while others execute tasks better when working on their own. Introverts are known to be thoughtful, reserved, learn through observation and like to spend time on their own. Yet extroverts are outgoing, comfortable in groups, ready and willing to try out new things, speaks their thoughts and so forth. When it comes to picking careers, Yussouf Ntwali, the Chief Operating Officer at BAG Innovation, notes that many people ask themselves about the jobs that best suit them as introverts and extroverts and have not been answered. It’s an indicator of the lack of understanding about what makes people introverts or extroverts, he says. For him, the first thing to remember is that we are all introverts and extroverts to different degrees. Introverts gain energy and feel refreshed when they have had an opportunity to think and process their thoughts and feelings without interruption; extroverts gain energy through interaction and lose energy when they have nothing to focus on. “The reason we don’t know what is the best career for introverts and extroverts is because of these two factors, we are all different. Introversion and extroversion is not a strict set of rules each person follows. Some people are more introverted than others, and there is a grey area between the two extremes,” he says. Ntwali however explains that the best jobs for introverts or extroverts would be those where they can accommodate their natural tendencies. However, it’s essential to understand that not everyone likes socialising and working with people. He adds that many introverts and extroverts can happily work alone or be in a team, depending on their level of interest. Experts say that introverts can also do better as accountants. This is because they tend to spend a lot of time at the office working independently. Interaction with other people is limited if not non-existent. Working as an accountant is a job that requires long periods of concentration and solitary work. If you have good analytical skills and you’re shy and reserved, this could be the ideal profession for you. Sylvester Nyombi, a businessman stresses that introverts are people that spend a lot of time with their thoughts. When they are looking for career paths, they ought to look for those that allow them to think. That is mainly in the creative space. “You will find people in the workplace who never say anything, for instance, graphic designers, but when they speak, they air out a lot of sense. The creative space even has new trends to catch up on, and demands for new ideas most of the time.” Introverts can also work in finance as such positions are fit for people who are careful, he states. He carries on that extroverts can excel in job positions such as marketing and sales as they can interact with different people. Careers in administration, human resource management, and stock management posts also require extroverts. Nyombi is also of the view that extroverts can also interact and give out ideas in the creative space. They can also do well in public relations as they require a certain level of arguments to deal with others to execute in PR. But also the law or legal work and sports can best fit them because they interact and bond with other people with ease. He also points out that extroverts can fit in event management jobs because they require highly active people with good social contacts in society. To manage an event, it entails leadership quality, a better understanding of the prospects of more fields than sitting in one place. However, he carries on that the truth is anyone can do anything, as long as they set their mind to it. Although there are more careers that are more suited to one’s personality, as an introvert or extrovert, if there is a career you want for yourself, it’s a matter of picking it up , because in any workplace, your character has to be evolved to fit in that company or job. For example, you can scoop a job in a company where workers have parties often to catch up and it’s a must to attend. Or even find a workplace that employees prefer sitting and working in silence in just their own space. Pick up the values of the place and the position and pursue it regardless of your personality, he adds.
