Good Careers for Nurturers

Nurturers are people who get the most satisfaction from helping others, but if they don't choose the right career path, they may never get the chance. The Myers-Briggs personality test defines a nurturer as someone characterized by kind-heartedness, optimism, awareness, loyalty, patience and respect -- a relatively rare set of qualities shared by only six percent of all people. If you're a nurturer, you're an "ISFJ" -- an "introvert, sensing, feeling, judging" person according to the test -- and the best career for you is one in which you can help others with your practicality and sound judgment.

ISFJ people are known for compassion and a desire to help others, which is why they are also known as nurturers. This distinction makes them well-suited for careers in counseling or therapy, as they are quiet, serious, contemplative individuals with a knack for determining what people want and need. They have strong powers of observation -- coupled with a sense of empathy and superior listening skills, this enables them to help people struggling to deal with personal issues.

Nurturers are not just empathetic and compassionate -- they are also practical and hard-working. Because of this, they have the skills to succeed in administrative careers like secretarial or managerial work. ISFJs have a strong respect for the chain of command, following protocol, respecting senior co-workers and obeying the rules. The only drawback to a nurturer's typical pragmatism is that they may be uncomfortable delegating responsibilities, and often take on too much work on their own.

Since ISFJs are considerate and tend to put the needs of others before their own needs, they may find success in medical careers like nursing or becoming a doctor. They frequently work long, difficult hours to complete their work and are committed to their own dependability. Nurturers take their own responsibilities very seriously and are devoted to helping others, so a career working with the sick, elderly, injured or disabled is a natural fit.

Nurturers are equipped with the self-discipline, motivation and need for structure that suits an educator, so teaching careers are appropriate for anyone deemed an ISFJ. Caring, loyal and diligently devoted to those in need, nurturers are committed to sacrificing their own time and energy to improve the lives of others. Since teachers frequently work long hours and spend most of their time helping others to achieve their goals, a nurturer has the patience and dedication required to become an educator.