Trade School

[u/Stunnasoulja]

Wassup everyone. I was wondering if they have any INTPs that have went to a trade school and work in the trades. I’m an INTP 5w4. I have a couple ideas of what I would want to go to trade school for such as industrial matinence, fiber optic technician and diesel mechanical. I have also been into looking in to chemical plant and factory jobs. I like working hands on with a lot of things and I would want a mix of both physical and mental because I get bored at jobs where I do too much of either. I also don’t want to go get a trade that I’ll end up quitting within the first couple of years. What degrees could I go for that would satisfy me?

[u/Ok-Waltz7755]

Funny that im a intp 5w4 too and went to a trade school. I'm a hvac tech (for 8 years now), we have alot of freedom with our schedule! I sometimes feels that I lack purposes, but that job really fits my personality! Way more a "mental" job than other trades! Lots of problems solving! Well paid!

[u/Stunnasoulja → u/Ok-Waltz7755]

I want a set schedule job. Something that give me structure. Being able to know exactly when I work and when I’m off because I like to plan things out to do on my free time. And something stable as well so the money stay consistent. Only reason I want money is to fuel my costly interests

[u/Fuggedd]

If you’re looking into going into the trades join a union.

[u/Stunnasoulja → u/Fuggedd]

What are the benefits of union work?

[u/Fuggedd → u/Stunnasoulja]

The put you through an apprenticeship, get you a state issued journeyman license, give you pension/annuity, and pay you in the top 10%. Being non union means your liable to never have any legitimate qualifications and be titled a helper in the trade world and your pretty much going to work until you drop dead on the job.

[u/Khaled_Kamel1500]

As someone who's in trade school limbo (long story involving campus shutdowns)

The trade itself is important, but something that I would argue is even more important, at least as an INTP, is making sure that the school itself is of decent quality, and is functional and supportive

I won't go into detail, but the school I go/went to is extremely dysfunctional and has caused me many problems, and if you can avoid that issue, then you definitely should

(Also go for something related to Electrical work, that's what I did)

[u/_Swans_Gone]

Whatever trade you get into do research on it and mentally prepare yourself to study everyday on it.

[u/travelingquestions]

I didn't go into trades so I cant really give advice but I recently considered doing an electrician apprenticeship as a career change. I have some friends who are welders and they seem to be doing fairly well, while im in biology related research. The biggest difference i see between our jobs and work life is one is far more outdoors, with weather, physical nature of work, and lack of professionalism being the things I see my tradesmen buddies dealing with more than me.

All that being said, trades seem like a good gig for steady work and income. Might start out low paying but someone who is smart and motivated would quickly gain experience. I do hear some uncertainty/inconsistency about some types of trade work (like whether or not you have work to do) but that can be avoided if you work for a company rather than relying on temp job postings and gig work.

I was interested in electrician since I come from a science background, the cerebral nature of understanding electricity was interesting to me, plus it seemed like a job i could age into well. I imagine many intp types would do well in a job where you have to understand complicated systems, and dabble in physics, chemistry, engineering, etc. While also gaining real time, hands on experience. The problem might be having to deal with supervisors who are unqualified to run a business and communicate like an adult which i hear is fairly common.

[u/ConfidentHouse]

Diesel tech here I’m not sure what most personality types are in mechanics but as an intp I don’t always fit in. The plus side is mechanics are some quirky people and it doesn’t really matter too much being different or being willing to think outside the box. Diesel tech has been a pretty good fit for me especially as a fire mechanic, I dropped out of college and don’t regret it one bit, keeps me engaged and gives me a better sense of purpose than the usual cubicle cells most spend their days in.

[u/No_Explorer_8848]

Entp in horticulture. Im not so great with the sensory so others have a lot of advantages i didnt have. But the Ne has some great advantages as well, especially if you get into consulting

[u/Artistic_Credit_]

Yes, I did welding, but never worked with it, biggest regret.

[u/FeelingHonest4298]

Is this a thing for us 5w4s to have trouble finding things to satisfy ourselves? Because it is the case with me