Job Psychology in a Nutshell

I forgot to write a bit about the results of my careers interview. It was actually more of a occupational psychology thing - I did a load of tests about a year ago to create a profile of the sort of jobs I'd be suited to. It took me until June to return the tests - in fact I wasn't going to return them originally because I couldn't afford it and it seemed a bit pointless, but I started getting disillusioned with my OU course and decided to see if I was doing the right thing. I ended up having the interview to discuss the results four days before my 30th birthday, and about a week before I went off for my week of Science Fun in Bath (an OU residential course which was meant to be full of serious scientific experiments - it was, but my group were brilliant and it ended up being pretty much the most fun I've ever had. We spent the whole week laughing like drains). The careers interview is basically what kicked all this off in the first place and was with a lovely guy called David Cook who I would recommend if anyone reading this is feeling lost in Careerland.

The tests were standard ones like MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), FIRO (Fundamental Interpersonal Relationships Orientation), 16PF5 (General Personality indicator) and various Preferences tests. The test results I found most interesting were the MBTI ones - I'm apparently INFJ (Introvert/Intuitive/Feeling/Judging) bordering on INTJ (I/N/Thinking/J). This type apparently works with perseverance, sensitivity and originality. The difference in the INTJ is that they tend to be more concerned with patterns than people - they're working out the solution rather than considering how everyone will feel about it :). I'm happy being both of those. I found FIRO quite interesting as well, because the test answers can not only tell you what relationships you have in general, but break them down into what you give to others, what you expect from them, and what you actually get.

The funniest thing about the tests was that I actually managed to cheat - albeit subconciously. At the time I'd just started my Engineering degree and was so keen to show that I was doing the right thing that I answered the questions in the way that I thought would skew me towards Engineering. Luckily I was found out because there was a sizeable difference in the results of two tests that should have shown the same thing. Busted!

The results of the test were basically that I like innovation, and I like people. That surprised me, because I've always thought of myself as kind of antisocial. I think it was that that made me realise I wasn't going to get what I wanted from Technical Writing, because it's basically a solitary job, and one of its key requirements is that there is no innovation whatsoever - if you're being creative, you're doing it wrong.

David was very impressed with my Bike BagTM, which I presented to him with great enthusiasm when he asked me about it. I think he thinks I should go into business. It did make me wonder, could I make money out of having ideas? Basically, invent things, then sell the design and patent for megabucks? That really appeals to me - I love thinking about how to solve problems, and I get ideas for problem-solving things all the time. Plus it would mean I wouldn't have to do the setting up-building up-keeping going part of creating a product, which I think would probably not interest me that much and I'm probably too lazy to do. If I invented something really special, I could just sell the idea and then sit with my feet up in the Bahamas sipping pina coladas while the money rolled in. Watch this space, someday there will be a Theaker on the market - who knows what it will be, or what you will use it for, but someday it'll be out there!!