Understanding the MBTI

Julie Law, Career CenterUnderstanding the MBTIObjectiveUnderstand how preferences influence our behaviors and impact the way we make decisions Understand how preferences shape our preferred work environmentsUnderstand how to utilize the strength in each preference in group settings

To better plan for the future, you need to understand yourself. How do you take in information, make decisions, and how are you most productive? Doing some self exploration is the first step in planning for the future. What we will talk about today is not specific careers or skills, but looking at personality and finding activities or work environments that are meaningful to you. 2MBTIHelps to understand our personality traits and differences

Where am I in that spectrum?

Little Interest Moderate Interest High Interest

If E = I then write I

If S = N then write N

If T = F then write F

If J = P then write P Tie-Breaking RuleExtravert & Introvert Where do you focus your attention?

ActivityGet into two groups, Introverts in one group and Extroverts in another.

Activity: In 5 minutes, plan your perfect party.ExtravertsFocus on the outer world of people and activity.Direct their energy and attention outward and receive energy from interacting with people and from taking action. Characteristics: Prefer communicating by talkingWork out ideas by talking them through Learn best through doing and discussion Have broad interests Social and expressiveReadily take initiative in work and relationships

Extraverts:Preferences in Work Settings Like variety and action Are sometimes impatient with long slow jobs Enjoy interacting with people, communicate with enthusiasm May prefer communicating by talking rather than writing Develop their ideas through discussion Learn new tasks by talking and doing Talk more than listen Interested in how other people do their work

Introverts:Focus on their own inner world of ideas and experiences.Direct their energy and attention inward and receive energy from reflecting on their thoughts, memories, and feelings. Characteristics: Drawn to their inner world Prefer to communicate in writing Work out ideas by reflecting on themLearn best by reflection, mental practicePrivate and contained Take initiative when the situation or issue is very important to them

Introverts: Preferences in Work Settings Like quite for concentration Think before they act, sometimes without acting Enjoy focusing on a project or task Develop their ideas internally Learn new task by reading and reflecting Are interested in the idea behind the job May prefer by reading rather than talking or experiencing Avoid being the center of attention Sensing & Intuition How do you take in information?

How do You Take In Information? Sensing and Intuition Get into two groups, Sensing and IntuitionYou have 3 minutes to describe this cup

SensorsTake in information that is real and tangible. They focus on their senses.

Characteristics: Oriented to present realitiesFactual and concreteObserve and remember specifics Build carefully and thoroughly toward conclusions Understand ideas and theories through practical applications Trust experience

Sensors: Work Setting Preferences Focus on immediate issuesProvide a realistic and practical perspectiveTend to be specific and literal, detail oriented Present information in a step-by-step manner Oriented to the present Like to perfect standard ways to do things by fine tuning Build to conclusions by collecting factsDraw on their own and others experience

Take in information by seeing the big picture, focusing on the relationships and connections between facts. Characteristics: Oriented toward future possibilitiesImaginative and verbally creativeFocus on the patterns and meanings in dataRemember specifics when they relate to a patternMove quickly to conclusions, follow hunchesWant to clarify ideas and theories before putting them into practiceTrust inspiration Intuition Intuition: Preferences in Work Settings Follow their inspirationsValue imagination and innovation Provide connections and meaningsLike solving new complex problemsStart with the big picture, fill in the facts laterPresent information in a roundabout manner Prefer change, new ways of doing things

Thinkers and FeelersHow do you make decisions?

What would you do?You are hiring someone for a job. One candidate had a perfectresume and interview. The other candidate was not as outstanding as the first, however the second candidate isa single parent and really needs a job. You can only hire one person. Who do you hire and why?ThinkersTend to make decisions based primarily on logic and on objective analysis of cause and effect.

Characteristics: Analytical Use cause-and-effect reasoningSolve problems with logicStrive for an objective standard of truthReasonable Can be tough-minded Fair want everyone treated equally

Thinkers:Preferences in Work Settings Focus on tasksUse logical analysis to understand and decideWant mutual respect and fairness among colleagues Are firm-minded, can give criticism when appropriateApply principles consistently Can be critical and naturally see flawsCan be seen at times as insensitive Consider more important to be truthful than tactfulMotivated by a desire of achievement and accomplishment FeelersTend to make decisions based on primarily on values and on subjective evaluation of person-centered concerns.

Characteristics: Empathetic Guided by personal values Assess impacts of decisions on people Strive for harmony and positive interactions CompassionateMay appear tenderhearted Fair want everyone to be treated as an individual

Feelers:Preferences in Work Settings Focus on peoples interactionsStep forward and consider the effect of actions on others Want harmony and support among colleaguesSee the exception to the rule Are empathetic, prefer to accommodate and reach consensus Show appreciation easily and naturally like to please othersMay be seen as overemotional, illogical or weak as well as truthful Apply values consistently Motivated by a desire to be appreciated

Judging and Perceiving How do you deal with the outer world?

Judging and Perceiving Get into 2 groups, Judging and Perceiving

Activity, plan a summer-long trip to Europe.

JudgingTend to like a planned and organized approach to life and prefer to have things settled. Characteristics: ScheduledOrganize their livesSystematic Methodical Make short-and-long term plansLike to have things decided Try to avoid last-minute stresses

Judging: Preferences in Work SettingsWant to plan their work and follow the plan Happiest after decisions have been madeHave a work ethic work first, play later Set goals and work toward achieving them on time Prefer knowing what they are getting into Like to get things settled and finishedFeel supported by structure and schedulesReach closure by deciding quickly Focus on timely completion of a project Perceiving Tend to like a flexible and spontaneous approach to life and prefer to keep their options open.

Characteristics: Spontaneous Flexible Casual Open-minded Adapt, change courseLike things loose and open to changeFeel energized by last-minute pressures

Perceiving Preferences in Work Settings Want to have flexibility in their workHappiest leaving their options open Have a play ethic enjoy now, finish the job later Change goals as new information becomes available Like adapting to new situations Derive satisfaction from starting new projects See times as a renewable resource and see deadlines as elastic Like to be spontaneousFeel restricted by structure & schedulesLeave things open as long as possibleFocus on enjoying the process

Now what?Explore options through volunteer, service learning, and internshipsNetwork with people in the fieldTap into resources: Career Center, Center for Internship and Community Engagement, Volunteer and Service Center Be positive and surround yourself with a supportive group of friends, family, and mentors

Questions?