Written by Elizabeth and Katherine Hirsh
Returning soldiers often feel different from colleagues or fellow job seekers from the
civilian world. Many wonder how they will find work that will give them the sense
of adventure, excitement, meaning, and purpose that they had while serving. You
might find yourself asking, “What now?” or “Is this all there is?” Although
completely natural for a warrior, these questions can be troubling for you as
you seek a satisfying new mission. Taking the Myers-Briggs® (MBTI®)
assessment to gain more information about your personal
style can help you answer these types of questions—and is a good first step on
the road to a more fulfilling career.
How might learning about your Myers-Briggs type
assist you in making a career change or enriching the job you already have? One
approach is to use knowledge of your MBTI preferences to help you narrow your job or career
search to those work environments that might be a good fit based on
your personal style.
If, for example, you prefer Extraversion, when you go on an
informational interview or check out options at a college, job fair, or career
center you could ask:
“Do
people in this field value strong
communication skills, teamwork, and a willingness to take action?”
Alternatively, if you prefer Introversion you could ask:
“Do
people in this field value autonomy,
self-motivation, and a willingness to consider ideas and concepts in-depth?”
Reintegration back into civilian life is a
perfect time to reexamine what’s important to you. Use your MBTI results to
help you reflect on your needs and which work environments
or fields of study may suit you. Make it your new mission to put your personal
style to work in your transition home.
You can learn more on the topic of psychological type and reintegration in our booklet Introduction to Type® and Reintegration.
Elizabeth and Katherine Hirsh are authors of several
publications, including Introduction to Type® and Teams, MBTI® Teambuilding Program: Leader’s Resource Guide, Introduction to Type® and Decision Making, and the
MBTI® Decision-Making Style Report.
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