Full Careers

Which high-paying professions require the least amount of human interaction?

Seemingly every job in today’s service-based economy entails dealing with people around-the-clock. Even my current occupation, which my old college career counselor said would be “the perfect fit” for me (after I took one of those career assessment tests), entails a lot more human interaction than I had originally anticipated. Introverted since day one of kindergarten, I absolutely loathe dealing with people – especially rude, inconsiderate people, whom I encounter almost on a daily basis. While I am not considering a career change just yet, I am uncertain as to whether I want to continue down this career path for the next forty years. Ideally, I would like to work in a research-oriented profession that does not involve giving lectures or speeches, conducting interviews, or working in teams. My academic interests include, but are not limited to: astronomy, meteorology, topography, climatology, zoology, ecology, geology, geography, archaeology, and history. Thank you for your time.

Public Comments

1. Astronaut Forensics Mortician Coroner Sanitation Worker
2. Don't consider me rude or inconsiderate, but you won't find a research job that's not team-oriented these days. Teams and interdisciplinary research are so in vogue, and collaboration is thought to be the new world-saver. It's possible that you could get a job working with an oil company...you could make use of your geology interest, but you would likely have to present to a small team. My boyfriend's company (one you would certainly know, begins with an H) is actually hiring for a lead geo-analyst right now...his team is very small and well-educated, and people keep to themselves except for brief weekly meetings. The position is in Houston, and I believe the salary range is around the low 70's. There are many similar positions around, so I definitely recommend trying to make use of your skills in conjunction with software development. Developers are very introverted (not to stereotype, but most of my best friends are developers). Otherwise, you could try to get research funding via grants or through a university and keep completely to yourself except for contact with your publisher.
3. DMV
4. I am wasting my time on this one when I could actually earn points on helping someone who needs it, but it was too interesting not to respond. There is no job unless you want to live on an island that doesn't require some type of interaction with others. Especially since no one on this planet has the answers to everything. I know someone who has your exact personality (he's a scientist) and he must interact at times with other scientists when he is working on a new patent product. It is unavoidable. Have you seen a psychiatrist or psychologist? No one is saying you have to be the life of the party, but secluding yourself from any and all interaction from others is a definite cause to be alarmed. You totally reminded me of the research I did on serial killers.