[Bago]

Hey, this may sound odd, but I am kind of at a cross road here. As I am not sure whether this is the best and greatest choice for me. I would genuinely like to hear and listen to other INFP's opinions on this matter. No matter what age you are. It may give me more of a different perspective which I do not seem to be able to grasp hold of right now.

I kept on saying that I would leave IT and go do something absolutely worthwhile and enter education or psychology. (Therapist or something similar.) Basically, I have been telling this IT agent that, this is where I want to go in terms of my career. Business analysis. It was kind of a safety net thing, because I have been slowly but surely built it up for the last 10 years, however, I did not really truly expect anything to come of it. However, this week, came 3 opportunities. (Also, do not ask me why and how I managed to survive 10 years of this, cos sometimes I do not get it either. My memory is a blank.) BA, Jr BA etc. (I have actually once read upon Business Process Re-engineering during my uni days in mid-90s and always wanted to do this kind of role for a very long time ever since then. I just recall this whole big "sustainable business" idea that was a part of the materials I read and exposed to. I just recall really wanting to be a part of this ?? Some kind of utopic lightbulb went off. I can still recall this kind of memory somehow. However, real life sucks, and it does not portray what obviously are theories in books. Nor was that area of subject credible and accepted by employees ?)

After reading so much here from others about anxiety attack (which could have been me in my position, when I did not recognise it or acknowledge this within myself), I could have been in this kind of state before without myself recognising, and I did hit rock bottom last Dec. I said to myself that I would get out of it.

Do you think that it is possible for me to continue without getting another anxiety attack ? Or for me to do this kind of work and co-exist this way ? I have done further research after Dec and came across some materials which describe Project Management as an almost kind of standard and it has made things a tad easier in a way. I just recall that when I read the materials, I kept thinking, "Hey, that is me". I can see myself doing those kind of things as described in the manual. (Minus any politics, but this is wishful thinking on my part I think.) Seeing the big picture and dissecting it into pieces and then build up a structure or a map of it. (I have no idea why and how, but I am good at doing this bit.)

What I have come to realise is this, business analysis is basically the department that receives all the crap of a company and you have to assure (more diplomatic way of phrasing it), each department and make them happy (as best you could I suppose) without them taking each other to pieces. Which is often than not, finding that bit of "alternative solution". I have come to learn that, it is also the "negotiating" department too. Which means conflicts and arguing at you for not supporting their ideas.



If you asked me this in June, I would have said "no"... but now, I feel like "erm maybe". I do not know whether this is because I am healthier now somewhat and is more accomodating to ideas. Yet, at the same time, I do have to live and pursue somewhere whilst earning money too. (I did not let this into my decision making before, but it is now being considered.)

I already read one of the job spec. It says "emotionally controlled" (OMG), and "resilient and tough" (it implies inter-department fighting/conflicts). Just reading this on first impression, I just want to run towards the hills...


-- Questions ---

1-Should I consider taking this while trying to find both the money for further education, and/or careers.
2-Should I maintain my motivation now being more INFP to pursue the other paths that I chose ?
3-If I take this job, what else should I do to anchor any possible anxiety?
4-Do you think that a INFP can indeed survive in more corporate environments? (Most of these positions are in large companies whereby it is going through a phase of restructuring, which means lots of angry people, unhappy individuals either displacing their angst at what had happened to them, or playing political games and making your life hell to get what they want even if it means making someone else angry in another department.)
5- Any other thoughts or opinions from INFP individuals or otherwise...


For me, I thought that to live a happier life, I need more NF elements as a whole.
Career, relationship, social activities which supports all these ideas and areas.

[Lad]

It's hard to really recommend or sway you from Business Analysis. I imagine few people here have much experience in that field, or even a reasonable understanding of what it entails outside of your description of it. What I can assure you of though, is that you're not signing a deal with the devil on any decision you make. You have flexibility and the ability to change your mind in the future :D.

As for psychology and education, if those are interests of yours you may want to consider exploring them through volunteer ventures first (ie: crisis line for psych, big brothers/sisters for education + mentorship). Assuming things go well, then you may want to do part time studies while you remain at your current job.

Financially, you usually don't get too much bling out of psych / teaching unless you snag a masters or Ph.D areas. So, whatever income you make now will likely drop a bit if you make a shift.

In terms of anxiety, there are varying forms of it so it's difficult to create a proper plan for you without knowing the details. However, I would look at counselling sessions (which may be provided anonymously + free by your work). Usually though, it's about finding the right outlets (exercise, diet, volunteer :P, etc).

"Do you think that a INFP can indeed survive in more corporate environments?"
INFPs can do anything as long as they have learned to balance some of their traits :D.

[Whynd]

Think of what you'd like to do.
now..
Can you make money at it?
Is it enough to support your preferred lifestyle?
if not, is it enough to support a lifestyle you'd be happy with?
will switching to a new job now interrupt the stability of your finances in an unacceptable manner?
will NOT switching to a new job interrupt your personal stability in an unacceptable manner?
Can you line up an opportunity in this new preferred career field while maintaining your current job?

Weigh the pro's and con's of the output of these and other questions you may add to this and it should not only help you determine if a career change is feasable, but also what direction to head and build a plan to get there. I hate to say it, for myself I only use the "feeling" side of me to determine what kinds of things in life I want to do, the rest I recommend being extremely rational and methodical about. you could always see about enlisting the help of some benevolent INTJ's or ENTJ's if you want some very practical and rational suggestions once you've decided on your overall direction. =) Hope this helps maybe just a little, and if not, disregard and maybe someone else will have a better suggestion. =)