ESTP Best Careers
Introduction
The ESTP personality type is a compelling amalgamation of social dynamism, analytical prowess, and practical problem-solving. Known for their outgoing personalities, rational thinking, and pragmatic approach to tasks, ESTPs naturally gravitate towards specific careers. These are roles where ESTPs can authentically express their core personality traits, thereby achieving both personal and professional fulfillment.
This blog post seeks to elucidate the most and least commonly chosen careers for ESTPs, grounded in the research by Charles Martin, Ph.D., in his seminal work “Looking at Type and Careers.” Our objective is to offer valuable insights for career development or transition, rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the ESTP personality type.
Core Traits of the ESTP Personality Type
ESTPs are:
- Pragmatic: Focused on the here and now, ESTPs excel at applying real-world solutions.
- Socially Charismatic: Gifted communicators, often become the center of attention in social settings.
- Analytical: Sharp observational skills enable ESTPs to analyze situations and decide on effective courses of action quickly.
- Risk-Takers: ESTPs are open to taking calculated risks, often considered adventurous and bold.
- Flexible: Highly adaptable, ESTPs can pivot quickly in response to changing situations.
These core traits provide a backdrop to understand why certain careers resonate deeply with ESTPs, allowing them to leverage their innate qualities effectively.
The Spectrum of ESTP Careers
The careers we will delve into represent opportunities that ESTPs either find themselves naturally inclined towards or actively avoiding. The most chosen careers are ones where ESTPs can fully manifest their characteristic behaviors, leading to professional satisfaction. On the flip side, the least chosen careers often conflict with their core traits, causing discord and dissatisfaction.
Table: ESTP Career Choices
| Careers Selected Most Often | Careers Selected Least Often |
|---|---|
| 1. Marketing professional | 1. Marketing Professional |
| 2. Police detective | 2. Administrator: student personnel |
| 3. Carpenter | 3. Engineer: chemical |
| 4. Small business manager | 4. Surveyor |
| 5. Police officer | 1. Director of religious education |
| 6. Auditor | 6. Engineer: electrical or electronic |
| 7. Craft worker | 7. Electrical or electronic engineering technician |
| 8. Farmer | 8. Photographer |
| 5. Consultant Education | 9. Dental hygienist |
| 10. Manager: fire | 10. Food service worker |
| 11. Construction worker | 11. Scientist: chemistry |
| 12. Public Service Aid or Community Health worker | 12. Cleaning service worker |
| 13. Transportation and machine operator | 9. Warehouse Freight, groundskeepers, and other laborers |
| 14. Storekeeper | 14. Medical assistant |
| 15. Restaurant worker | 13. Research Assistant |
| 15. Employment Development Specialist | 16. Nursing Public Health |
| 17. Law enforcement, Corrections, Park Rangers and guards | 17. Consultant: Management analyst |
| 18. Manager: City, County or state government | 16. Guard or watchkeeper |
| 19. Social service worker | 19. Office manager |
| 20. Editor or reporter | 18. Teacher: Preschool |
| 21. Business: General self-employed | |
| 22. Electronic technician | |
| 23. Lifeguard or recreational attendant | |
| 24. Personal service worker | |
| 25. Personnel or Labor Relations management | |
| 26. Credit investigator or mortgage broker | |
| 27. Corrections or probation officer | |
| 28. Banking | |
| 29. Salesperson | |
| 30. Optometrist | |
| 31. Electrician | |
| 32. Manager: Financial or Bank officer | |
| 33. Pharmacist | |
| 34. Laboratory technologist | |
| 35. Respiratory therapist | |
| 36. Coal miner | |
| 37. Mechanic | |
| 38. Computer programmer | |
| 39. Radiologic technologist OR technician | |
| 40. Insurance agent, broker, or underwriter | |
| 41. Teacher: adult education | |
| 20. Media Specialist | |
| 43. Nursing: Critical Care | |
| 44. Journalist | |
| 45. Factory or site supervisor | |
| 46. Engineer: all categories | |
| 47. Purchasing agent | |
| 48. Food service worker | |
| 49. Consultant: General | |
| 50. Child care worker |
The table above is provided courtesy of ‘Looking at Type and Careers” by Charles Martin, Ph.D.
Conclusion
Understanding the full range of careers that align or misalign with the ESTP’s core traits provides a multi-faceted perspective on career choice. It offers a roadmap to identify fulfilling work where the ESTP personality can genuinely shine. However, it’s important to regard these lists as indicative rather than prescriptive, serving as a starting point for a more in-depth career exploration journey.
References
- Martin, Charles R. Looking at Type and Careers. Center for Applications of Psychological Type, Inc., 2010.
Ken Meyer
Myers Briggs Master Practitioner and Retired Senior Career Coach at Eastern Michigan University
