The BEST careers for sensitive & neurodivergent introverts

LifestyleBlogging

Apr 2

Do you ever feel like you’re just too overwhelmed by everything you need to do in a day? Or at least by everything you think or feel you need to do?

If I’m honest, I feel like I am at some point throughout the day, every day.

I often realize that I’m past my point of stress tolerance when I’ve been overwhelmed for a while and just didn’t recognize the signals in my mind and body. It really just sneaks up on you, doesn’t it?

One day it dawned on me just how far removed I was from understanding my own needs. I pushed away my body’s signals for so long that I couldn’t sense or understand them well if I tried, let alone when I was distracted and busy by a demanding, physically and emotionally draining, and overwhelming job. Not this (blogging) work, but my work in healthcare. I love what I do, but the expectation to be productive in situations often beyond your control, the jam-packed schedule, the lack of downtime to even go to the bathroom for a couple of minutes, and the expectation that you’ll always do it with a smile while always being grateful that you get to help people can be exhausting and damaging if you let it.

I’ve made so much progress this past year and I’m continuing to work on knowing my needs better and realizing when I’m more likely to need a break, a rest, or a reset of some kind (you might also like my posts on gentle productivity, supporting your nervous system, and building multiple income streams for more info).

In this article, I’d like to share with you a few things:

Why some of the typical “HSP careers” still won’t work for you
How to find the best career for YOU
Some ideas for best HSP careers and why
Why sensitive people CAN be great entrepreneurs (if that’s something you’re interested in)

My knowledge and experience with these topics don’t stop right here and right now with what I currently know. I’m in an intense transitional stage myself and understand what you’re going through.

If you’re deciding what initial career path to take for the first time in your life, I hope the information on the best careers in this post is helpful in your search. If you’re unhappy or unfulfilled in your current career or position, know that I’ve been there and it’s possible to make it through the uncertainty of career change.

Why you might be struggling in your current career

Maybe your current job already is on one of these “best career” lists. There are so many lists of best careers, best jobs, best ways to make money without doing absolutely anything at all going around. I believe that your ideal job, your ideal career, is not just something that you’re good at as an HSP, but something that is GOOD FOR YOU.

Often career lists emphasize finding a career based on your knowledge and skills. For HSP careers, jobs that require empathy and kindness often make the top of the list. While I absolutely agree that finding a job that matches your skills is important, it doesn’t take into account how well the career compliments your overall well being. Does a possible career support the needs you might have for a strong feeling of purpose and the downtime you need to process in order to work and be your best?

But there are tough parts of every job. So before we jump head first into these career ideas, consider if it’s possible your career itself isn’t the problem.

You could be overwhelmed by:

Co-workers/boss/work environment of your current job situation (possible fixes = start looking for a new job in your line of work, ask for reduced in-office hours if possible, reduce hours in general when you have other side hustle income to support, etc)
Productivity expectations (see suggested fixes above)
stresses and responsibilities outside of your job, making both job and personal stresses that much more difficult to deal with (possible fixes = journaling and/or brain dump to really work through what aspects of each part of your life are contributing and what part of your career is actually the problem)
low self-esteem and self-confidence (possible fixes = work with a therapist (see list of HSP therapists or check out Julie Bjelland’s course)

But also know that though your ideal career may get you out of your comfort zone and will help you grow, but it will not force you to be something you’re not day after day.

It’s also possible that your current job or career might not be aligned with your values. If your job puts importance on productivity and competition but you value empathy, cooperation, and freedom, the job might just be a bad match for you. With how much time a typical job takes up during your week, this mismatch can start to feel quite uncomfortable after a while.

I believe HSPs have so much to offer the world, and our gifts best help the world when we work in ways and environments that are supportive of us.

Best careers for highly sensitive people

Career types to consider:

I’m an occupational therapist and often find this job on many of these best career lists. There are some parts of this job I find so much joy - especially when I’m able to work 1-on-1 with someone. Like with many jobs and careers, your work environment sometimes makes an even greater impact on how satisfied you are in that job and should be a huge deciding factor when taking specific jobs.

I also work as a copywriter (though not as much now) and entrepreneur. I know these things are fulfilling to me, especially because I wake up excited and grateful to work in them every day, even on Saturday mornings. Here are some jobs that could be a great match for you as well:

Creative:

Copywriter
Copyeditor
YouTube video script writer
Content or ghostwriter
Photographer (in specific niche)
Digital artist

Entrepreneurship: I often get the question: “Can HSPs be entrepreneurs or self-employed?” While my initial answer is always “Of course!” I understand the hesitation many people may have. The world NEEDS more sensitive business owners!

Bookstore owner
Blogger and/or Podcaster

Healthcare: (recommended with caution due to productivity expectations and high rates of moral injury) I would recommend this especially if you are pulled strongly to work in a specific environment and/or with a population you’re passionate about.

Veterinarian
Equine-assisted therapist or Hippotherapist

Therapist or similar helping professions: (recommended with caution due to high rates of burnout, difficulty in maintaining a balance of empathy and healthy boundaries)

Art therapist
Music therapist
Tutor
see this post for alternatives to being a therapist or mental health professional

Unique/other:

Travel guide
Seasonal worker
Park ranger
Summer camp owner
Librarian

How to find the best career for YOU (+ additional career ideas):

You’re more than just a sensitive/introverted/empathetic person. We all have different interests, skills, and personal strengths.

Here’s a process to help you find some personally fulfilling options for you:

First consider therapy. Strongly consider working with a therapist first before changing or choosing your career. I’m not a trained psychologist or mental health professional, but I understand firsthand how underlying feelings and difficulties with depression/anxiety, low self-esteem, burnout, bullying, sexism/racism, and/or existential crises and ennui can impact both your competence and confidence in your current and possible future career(s). If you don’t have a therapist yet, I highly recommend checking out the HSP Practitioner Directory and HSP-Knowledgeable Practitioners.
Use a skills assessment and/or interest inventory. Often recommended by career coaches are assessments based on trait-based Holland interest codes - see my list of free resources at the bottom of this article.
How do you want to work? Maybe most importantly, take time to really consider what your ideal career lifestyle looks like:

What kind of work environment do you thrive in?
How many hours do you actually WANT to work every week? It doesn’t have to be 40.
How much novelty do you want and need in a job?
What level of interaction with people do you enjoy?
How much independence vs. guidance do you thrive on?

Know your values and strengths and discover what career and work styles could align with your values. Here are a few possible career lists (click on links for full career lists) that align with that particular value:
- Concern for Others/Empathy: Often a strength for sensitive and empathetic people. The extended time we spend processing information lends itself to a greater awareness of and concern for others’ points of view.
  - clergy
  - therapists: physical, occupational, speech, art, music, mental health, etc.
  - naturopath
- Independence: When given the chance to work independently, you can create work you’re proud of and take it easy when you need to. HSPs often have a lower threshold for overwork. Forcing yourself to work when you’re beyond your limit can have more detrimental effects on your health.
  - researcher
  - grant writer
  - YouTube or other influencer
- Innovation: Our tendency towards deep thinking and in-depth sensory processing combined with a tendency towards creativity is the perfect recipe for innovation and invention.
  - poet
  - interior designer
  - physicist
- Integrity: Not only is this a crucial value to possess in many jobs and careers, but is an important value to follow for your own fulfillment and life and career satisfaction.
  - coroner
  - financial advisor
  - treasurer
  - forensic science technician
- Attention to Detail: Our superpower strength to notice little details and notice when things are different or “off” can be a valuable addition to the workplace.
  - anesthesiologist assistant
  - data entry
  - archivists
  - museum curator
  - computer programmer
Appreciate your values and strengths. It’s one thing to know what you’re good at and it’s another thing to own what you bring to the table. Appreciating what you have to offer increases your self-respect and confidence and vice versa, allowing you to really shine in your chosen career.
Research specifics of your chosen careers. Complete a career analysis (my free template linked here) of each possible career path or endeavor you’d like to try. ONET has an abundance of free resources to look up jobs based on your knowledge, skills, interests, work styles, and more.
Determine the resources (namely money and time) you can realistically set aside for additional education and/or experience you may need in these careers.

I sincerely hope this post was helpful and provided you with some career ideas and areas you could pursue.

Please don’t be limited by this list, however, because your own unique gifts have a place in many jobs and environments.

I know all too well what it’s like to feel unsure and unconfident in your career decision(s). I know how painful it can be to feel helpless, unmotivated, ungrounded, and fearful along the way. It can be so very tough, and I know my words can’t fix it all for you, but I want you to know that it’s possible to find where you shine and where you feel that you belong.

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Additional disclaimer: I’m not a certified financial professional. The information in this post and on this website in regards to income and work is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your own financial or tax planner/preparer.