Computer science personality type


5 Best Personality Types for Coding Careers

Your Myers-Briggs personality type can help you find which tech job best suits your skills and personality. We’ve laid out the most popular types working in tech today!

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  • The Myers-Briggs personality indicator is a useful tool for understanding your strengths and weaknesses as a person and as an employee.
  • Certain personality types may work in tech more frequently than others.
  • While some personality types are more likely to be found in tech, don’t let that determine your career. All 16 MBTI types can succeed in tech careers.

Are you the life of the party, or do you prefer a small gathering? Are you focused on the future, or do you prefer staying in the present?

If you have ever taken an online quiz with similar questions to the ones above, then you may have taken a Myers-Briggs Personality instrument (MBTI) quiz. Or you can take one now!

The Myers-Briggs assessment is a tool used to identify which of the 16 MBTI personalities you may have. It can be used as a common language in the workplace for teams and supervisors to communicate, address conflict, and develop a stronger team.

While Myers-Briggs assessments aren’t a definitive guide to anyone’s personality, they can be a useful tool. In looking at tech companies and coding jobs, we’ve found that certain personality types are more prevalent than others.

However, it is important to stress that anyone can be a successful coder. But if you see some of your personality traits reflected in these descriptions, we hope it gives you a little boost of confidence. If not, don’t worry! Teams need different perspectives to build the strongest products.

Some personalities may be more analytical or logical than others and may be more inclined to pursue a career in the tech industry. These are the top five personality types for coding careers.

INTJ

The INTJ personality, nicknamed the Architect, has a strong creative drive and the ability to see connections where others may not. These personalities demand high performance from themselves and those around them.

You might find an INTJ working or studying in one of the following fields: engineering, chemistry, or starting their own business. But how do those relate to coding?

If you’ve heard about coding bootcamps, you know that many people use coding bootcamps to facilitate a career change. This prior work or academic experience can be a huge asset to potential employers.

If you’ve got an entrepreneurial streak, you might enjoy coding at a small start-up company. People with engineering or chemistry backgrounds might be drawn to coding at companies with a focus on environmental innovations or medical fields.

It’s also important to note that your field of study at a bootcamp could influence where you work. Data analytics and front-end design are different fields under the umbrella of coding.

ENTP

ENTP is commonly referred to as the Debater, but that doesn’t mean they are always getting into fights. People with the ENTP personality type like problem-solving, tackling new challenges, and working their intellectual muscles.

If you’re hiring an ENTP, you want to make sure they land in a position that provides new problems regularly and allows them to innovate somewhat independently. This is the person that will get the team headed in the right direction with their analytical thinking and quick observations (although they might not be the person to finish the job).

When it comes to professions, many ENTPs are drawn to UX design, medicine, or computer systems analytics. ENTPs working in these roles may have innate people skills to help them gather information and implement their brilliant solutions.

INTP

Known as the Logicians, INTPs are analytical, flexible, and adaptable. Some of these traits may come across as critical, but it’s important to remember that INTPs are always analyzing. INTPs may often be quiet. When they are working, they tend to zone in on a project and might be oblivious to all else.

That strong attention to their work can be a huge asset for INTPs, but you probably won’t find them working in a social career such as human resources. INTPs are particularly well-suited to careers in tech, as many coding careers allow their workers to work alone.

You are likely to find INTPs working as software developers, information security analysts, or web developers. If you’re an INTP and already interested in coding bootcamps, you’re in the right place!

ENFP

An ENFP, or the Campaigner, might be known as the hype person on their team. They are enthusiastic, full of compliments, and quick to volunteer. But ENFPs aren’t just pure energy. They are curious and quick to connect the dots in unclear situations or problems.

Because they appreciate praise and are strong communicators, ENFPs may not be suited to work in isolation like some of the other types discussed here. ENFPs will do best in a work environment where they can interact with clients and/or teammates on a regular basis.

With all that in mind, ENFPs may thrive in tech roles that combine coding and personal interaction. The most common areas where you’ll find ENFPs in tech would be in sales or marketing positions. An ENFP might also thrive in many coding roles in a start-up or small business where they can play a role in several different areas.

ISTJ

The ISTJ is also known as the Logistician. This personality type will be your go-to colleague when something needs to get done. ISTJs are often dependable, thorough, and practical.

ISTJs will create structure for themselves and their teammates. Once the goal is clearly defined, this personality type will work at a steady and determined pace to achieve it.

However, this determination may backfire, as ISTJs can be perceived as insensitive in their pursuit of the goal. The Logistician may also struggle to pivot or change course as required in a fast-paced environment.

If you’re an ISTJ looking to pursue a career in tech, there are a few options you may want to consider. Because of their thorough nature, ISTJs can find success as information security analysts or software developers.

The Logistician might find success as … a logistician! Logisticians oversee the supply chain of a company producing a product. The ISTJs attention to detail, determination, and practical nature will ensure success in this role.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personality Types for Coding Careers

The top MBTI personality types found in software engineering careers are ISTJ and INTJ. The ISTJ is known as the Inspector, and the INTJ is known as the Mastermind. Both types are introverted (meaning they recharge best on their own), analytical, and prefer clear direction or rules.

ISTJs are often responsible, organized, and productive. Your INTJ colleague might be the one who creates the shared task list for a project and sends the calendar invites for all your various deadlines.

INTJs are often innovative, strategic, and intellectual. They might be the person who comes through with the perfect solution for a problem at the last hour.

The Myers-Briggs indicator shies away from letting one of the sixteen personality types claim the top spot for any trait. Rather, MBTI tests look for themes that personality types share.

The most analytical personality types in Myers-Briggs are INTJ (Architects), INTP (Logicians), ENTJ (Commanders), and ENTP (Debaters).

While MBTI types are helpful to understanding yourself and your team, it's important to remember any type can be successful in a tech career. These personality types just lean into their analytical side first.

According to MBTI, the most logical personality type is the Logician, or INTP. INTPs are often curious, analytical, and open-minded. They may seem like they are constantly lost in a daydream, but that's because their own mind keeps them busy most of the time.

INTPs often work in tech, where they can use their analytical brains for problem-solving.

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The 8 Best Jobs for INTJ Personality Types

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Myers-Briggs Test | INTJ Careers

Strong Interest Inventory® General Occupational Theme Code: Investigative, Conventional (IC)

The Myers-Briggs Test Type Indicator® can provide valuable insights into an optimal career choice. For instance, Hammer (1996) writes that MBTI test INTJ’s tend to lean towards careers in the natural and applied sciences because they provide opportunities to analyze problems and develop solutions. These challenges offer INTJ’s the chance to exercise their conceptual prowess, analytical thinking, and ability to solve local problems while maintaining a long-range vision.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Programmers write, edit, and test the codes that make computer programs and applications run. They often work off of criteria or specifications that developers present to them, but can also develop their own software as well. This could involve writing, analyzing, updating, or even entirely rewriting programs for a variety of reasons, such as decreasing bugs, increasing operating efficiency, or even meeting a new set of specifications of requirements. To do this, especially as part of a design or programming team, computer programmers may need to develop workflow charts or diagrams to visually display the changes that need to be made as well as the logic and rationale that supports those proposed changes. They might also need to analyze programs to identify problem areas, and then mark areas that need to be changed so that other teams or team members can solve the identified issues.

Programmers also need to work with other professionals, including managers, engineers, and executives to better understand particular problems, and to present their proposed changes in a coherent way that is understandable even to people with different skill sets. This could involve documenting and presenting changes to keep others informed of their progress.

Being a successful programmer requires a mastery of a variety of computers and hardware and software, including desktops, laptops, server configurations, mainframe operating systems, and more. Depending on the specialization of the individual programmer and of the organizations they work for, they might need to know a variety of different languages, such as C++; Greatis Object Inspector; PowerSoft PowerBuilder; Python. They could also need to be able to effectively use compiler and decompiler software, interface and query software, and development software. Because this field is very logical and technical, a detailed understanding of math, computers, and electronics is necessary. Programmers also need to have a strong foundation in English, as well as knowledge of the fields for which they are programming, which may include business, strategic management, and human resource modelling.

  • MBTI® Career Report

    Find your best occupational match with this easy-to-read Myers-Briggs® test graphic report

    Choosing a career path can be difficult. The revised MBTI® Career Report helps point the way by showing you how your type affects your career exploration and discusses the benefits of choosing a job that is a good fit for your type. By taking the Myers-Briggs test  you also explore preferred work tasks and work environments as well as most popular and least popular occupations for all types and receive strategies for improving job satisfaction. This completely updated report includes expanded coverage of popular fields such as business, health care, computer technology, and high-level executive and management occupations. It is based on four-letter type results and can be generated using your reported type or verified type.

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Because programmers often need to identify and resolve complex problems, they need to have strong active listening, critical thinking, and reading comprehension skills. These together will help them understand fully the needs of their clients. They also need to be able to conceptualize logical data, as well as cause and effect of particular commands so they can write successful programs and identify the errors in buggy programs. In order to develop these skills, most professional programmers have at least a four-year bachelor’s degree, generally in computer science or engineering. However, some do not, and instead have a considerable amount of on-the-job or vocational training.

INTJ’s are particularly well-suited to programming careers because they are naturally analytical and pay a close attention to detail. They can also function effectively in environments that are stressful and require a high degree of independence.

Below are some employment trends for Computer Programmers:

  • Median wage: $41.61 hourly, $86,550 annually
  • Employment: 250,300 employees
  • Projected growth (2018-2028): Decline (-2% or lower)
  • Projected job openings (2018-2028): 15,100

Visit Our MBTI® About Page and Our INTJ Personality Type Page for Detailed Information on The INTJ Personality Type

Visit Our Strong Interest Inventory® Resource Page to Learn About the IC GOT

INTJ Careers

Click on one of these corresponding popular INTJ Careers for detailed information including Career Stats, Income Stats, Daily Tasks and Required Education: Anesthesiologist, Electronics Engineers, Biochemist, Industrial Engineers, Biologist, Information Security Analysts, Chemical Engineers, Lawyer, Computer Programmer, Surgeon.

Explore Our INTJ Blog Pages

Explore additional information that delves deeper into the INTJ Personality Type by examining various personality and career based subjects:

  • How the MBTI INTJ Type relates to Innovation
  • How the MBTI INTJ Type relates to Project Management
  • How the MBTI INTJ Type relates to Emotional Intelligence
  • How the MBTI INTJ Type relates to Leadership
  • How the MBTI INTJ Type Communicates 

Click on a link below to read more about different MBTI Personality Types

ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP
ISTP ISFP INFP INTP ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJ

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2012-2022 employment projections Onetonline.org

MBTI® Type Tables for Occupations, 2nd Edition. Schaubhut, N. & Thompson, R. (CPP, 2008)

Introduction To Type and Careers. Hammer, A. (CPP, 1996).

Types of human personality - classification and examples

Such sciences as psychology, sociology, socionics and even computer science are engaged in the definition of different types of personalities.

Content

  1. Personality types by temperament
  2. Social personality types
  3. Personality types in socionics
  4. Holland personality types
  5. Personality types in conflict situations

Each of the presented sciences has its own concepts and classifications for establishing one or another type of personality.

In general, it should be understood that psychological typology is a system of individual attitudes and behavioral stereotypes, formed to explain the difference between people.

Consider the most important personality types that will be of interest not only to lovers of psychology, but also to everyone who is fond of self-development.

Human personality types

After numerous experiments, it became clear that there are no clear distinctions between human personality types.

To make the most accurate conclusion, you need to find out which of the characteristics of personality types prevail in a particular person, and then on this basis you can draw some conclusions.

Classification of people by temperament

Few people know that the founder of the definition of personality types is the famous ancient Greek physician and philosopher Hippocrates. Being the foremost physician of his time, he conducted many interesting experiments.

Since Hippocrates was a supporter of materialism, he tried to find a connection between temperament and the amount of content in the body of one of the 4 fluids: lymph, blood, yellow and black bile.

As a result, he presented 4 main types of temperament:

  • choleric;
  • phlegmatic;
  • melancholic;
  • sanguine.

According to Hippocrates, yellow bile predominated in the body of choleric people, black bile in melancholic people, lymph in phlegmatic people, and blood in sanguine people.

For obvious reasons, modern medicine cannot take seriously these conclusions of the famous ancient Greek doctor, who left no explanation as to how he managed to identify such patterns.

An interesting fact is that Hippocrates compared a person's character with his physical health. He believed that in our body, thoughts, the state of organs and emotions are inextricably linked.

In modern medicine and psychology there is such a direction as psychosomatics. Psychosomatics ("psyche" - the soul and "soma" - the body) studies the influence of psychological factors on the occurrence and course of somatic (bodily) diseases. By correctly approaching the solution of this issue, many people managed to get rid of various ailments associated with psychosomatics.

Types of temperament

Let's take a quick look at each type of temperament and describe it accordingly.

Melancholic

Of the 4 personality types, melancholics are the "weakest". They have weakly expressed both inhibitory and excitatory processes, which makes them very sensitive.

Melancholic people can get excited even by something insignificant. They are often depressed and more prone to depression. Among them, one can often meet neurasthenics who carefully hide their emotions.

For this reason, mental and nervous disorders can develop in melancholics, which in turn can cause diseases of the stomach, cardiovascular system, and liver.

Cholerics

Cholerics by their nature are the exact opposite of melancholics. They are unbalanced and firm in nature.

An interesting fact is that people with this type of personality are more likely than others to suffer from diseases of the liver and gallbladder. They find it difficult to control their emotions, resulting in irritability, outbursts of anger and often rage.

As a rule, choleric people find it difficult to get along with people. They are very impulsive, fussy and mobile in conversations with the interlocutor.

Sanguine people

Sanguine people are the most "live" personality type. They are strong, balanced, active and often take the initiative. As a rule, sanguine people are prone to work, as a result of which they are afraid of not being able to do something or making a mistake.

They are demanding not only to themselves, but also to others, which sometimes leads them to stress or depression.

People with this type of personality most often suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system. They are also prone to strokes and heart attacks.

Phlegmatic people

Phlegmatic people belong to the “calm” personality type. They are distinguished by prudence and balance. They are very difficult to get rid of.

This type of personality is not difficult to identify in a crowd of people: in the process of any unrest or general panic, they remain calm and try to stay away from ongoing events.

Phlegmatic people prefer not to get upset over trifles, trying not to take everything to heart. Despite this, it is they who suffer from stomach ulcers more often than other types.

Read more about temperament types here.

Circle of Eysenck

Social personality types

In sociology, personality types are interconnected with historical, economic, social and cultural events that have a direct impact on them.

Here, as in psychology, you can meet a variety of personality types. According to Max Werber, people must be divided according to their degree of rationality.

Taking into account this factor, there are two types of personality:

  • rationalists;
  • irrationalists.

In turn, Erich Fromm proposes to divide people into 3 types:

  • receptive (passive) - ready to obey others;
  • exploitative - those who use other people's labor;
  • drives are prone to market relations.

Sociology divides people into the following types of personalities:

  • traditionalists;
  • realists;
  • idealists;
  • hedonists;
  • frustrated type.

Traditionalists are prone to order and discipline. They try to live by the law and do not strive for self-improvement.

In contrast, realists, on the contrary, try to realize themselves in life. In addition, they try to keep their emotions under control and not fall into hysterics.

Idealists are those who strive for independence and fight against established rules.

Hedonists are not at all interested in what is going on in society. Most of all, they want to receive satisfaction from life, which is manifested in material values ​​​​and sensual pleasures.

The frustrated personality type is characterized by low self-esteem. They feel superfluous in society, as a result of which such people often become outcasts or homeless people.

Personality types in socionics

In the 1970s, on the basis of Jung's typology and Kempinski's theory of informational metabolism, socionics arose - a new concept of personality types and relationships between them.

In socionics, personality types are considered depending on how the following features are combined in an individual:

  • introversion and extroversion;
  • logic and ethics;
  • rationality and irrationality;
  • sensorics and intuition.

Briefly consider socionic personality types.

INTROVERTS - self-interest is the driving force. These are closed personalities with problems in the field of communication, completely guided by their inner world. Characterized by the orientation of life inward.

EXTRAVERTS - external factors are the driving force. Extroverts are open and ready to communicate people who are not always capable of independence. They are characterized by an outward orientation of life. Learn more about extroverts and introverts here.

RATIONALISTS put in the first place the mind with the principles and traditions established in the society.

IRRATIONALISTS try to improve themselves and are constantly striving for innovation. They have out-of-the-box thinking and creativity.

Personality types according to Holland's theory

In 1970, an American scientist, psychology professor John Holland developed a theory of six personality types, which has not lost its popularity to this day. Let's consider them.

Personality types in conflict situations

The real essence of a person can be clearly seen only in a conflict situation. In this regard, there are the following personality types:

  • demonstrator;
  • rigid personality;
  • unruly personality;
  • ultra-precise personality.

DEMONSTRATIONERS present life as a theater in which they are actors. They try different ways to get people's attention. An interesting fact is that they are completely indifferent to what others think or say about them, as long as they discuss it.

A person of this type often becomes a provocateur, an extremist or an instigator of some kind of conflict. Demonstrators are present at rallies and like to participate in some unrest.

RIGID PEOPLE are very suspicious and suspicious. They often come into conflict only because they can suspect someone of something. They have very high self-esteem, so they like to be praised.

It is worth noting that rigid people are grateful to those who show them friendly relations.

UNGOVERNED PERSONS find it very difficult to control their emotions and actions. They are prone to open aggression and hostility. In the event of a conflict, they easily lose their temper and can harm not only themselves, but also other people.

SUPER ACCURATE PERSONALITIES are attentive and cautious. They have excellent leadership abilities, since they can control not only themselves, but also control the masses. However, such people are very difficult to experience any failure.

An interesting fact is that along with conflict types there is also conflict-free type . However, this does not mean at all that such people are generally not prone to conflicts.

It's just that they are especially timid, and as a result they tend to avoid any unpleasant situations. It is difficult for them to defend their point of view and rights, as a result of which they prefer to remain unnoticed.

So, we have considered the most popular personality types, although there are many more. At the same time, it should be remembered that each person is unique and unique, which, of course, also applies to his individual personality type.

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Personality types | 16Personalities

Analysts

Strategist
INTJ-A / INTJ-T

Imaginative, strategic thinkers with a plan for all occasions.

Scientist
INTP-A / INTP-T

Creative inventors, with a strong belief in the power of knowledge.

Commander
ENTJ-A / ENTJ-T

Brave, resourceful and strong-willed leaders who always find a way - or make a way.

Debater
ENTP-A / ENTP-T

Smart and curious thinkers who never turn down an intellectual challenge.

Diplomats

Activist
INFJ-A / INFJ-T

Quiet and mystical, but inspiring and relentless idealists.

Broker
INFP-A / INFP-T

Poetic, kind and altruistic personalities, always ready to stand up for a good cause.

Trainer
ENFJ-A / ENFJ-T

Charismatic and inspiring leaders who captivate their listeners.

Wrestler
ENFP-A / ENFP-T

Enthusiasts, creative and sociable free minds who always find a reason to smile.

Guardians

Administrator
ISTJ-A / ISTJ-T

Practical and factual people whose reliability is unshakable.

Protector
ISFJ-A / ISFJ-T

Very responsible and kind protectors, always ready to protect their loved ones.

Manager
ESTJ-A / ESTJ-T

Excellent administrators, unsurpassed specialists in process and people management.

Consul
ESFJ-A / ESFJ-T

Extremely caring, sociable and popular people, always ready to help.

Seekers

Virtuoso
ISTP-A / ISTP-T

Brave and practical experimenters, masters of all kinds of techniques and tools.


Learn more