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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not a people person! Any careers? 🙂

93 replies

ExtrovertedIntrovert1 · 08/08/2024 21:22

Argh I can't find a section for this post so will turn it into an AIBU

"Am I being unreasonable to think you have to be a people person to thrive in a career or is there a well paid job where you can work alone in peace?"

Ok just putting this out there incase it yields any inspiration.

I currently have a career that I spent 5-6 years training for. A very specialised masters degree so not really something that can be used for anything other than what I do. It involves the general public, lots of chat, care, constant interaction all day. I have had the same career all my adult life.

I have reached my 40s and come to the conclusion that I am just not a people person. Ive just not had the guts or determination to get out of this career/rut!

I really care about people genuinely and have a good heart. I just find interaction difficult and stressful. I feel I'm just performing every day like an actress playing a part. Maybe I'm neurodiverse (I'll suggest it before someone else does 😂)

I can do it, and am well versed in it but my god it's exhausting and as I get older I'm struggling to keep pace. I long for a job where I can work in peace, doing something on my own. I'm looking at changing careers while I'm still young enough to do so.

Trouble is, have a mortgage and depend on my salary. I would need to earn at least 25k, probably more, to stay afloat. Whether this be whilst training, or in a job that doesn't require years of training as my current one does.

Anyone have a none peopley job? I'd love night shifts. Interests include sciences, healthcare, any sort of analysing, the written word, caring stuff (but from a purely admin way maybe!)

OP posts:
JFDIYOLO · 09/08/2024 08:27

I saw a documentary about Canadian firewatchers. They spend six months a year alone in cabins in the middle of forests, going up to the watch towers to be early warnings for wildfires. I wonder if there's anything like that in UK?

HonestMistake · 09/08/2024 08:26

I can think of lots but all mine involve high levels of maths and good coding skills (either "real" coding or spreadsheets) I'd try some basic free online course, even just in Excel to see whether you have any aptitude

Cabbagepatchkid1 · 09/08/2024 08:22

I understand feeling drained from constant interactions at work.

The finance team where I work seem to keep to themselves. I’ve also always thought being a grounds keeper would be a great job if you want to keep social interactions to a minimum.

Simonjt · 09/08/2024 07:57

Any good at maths?

Actuary
You can train on the job now, rather than having a degree and then gaining a training position.

betterangels · 09/08/2024 07:55

I'm a freelance editor and proofreader. I see no people that I don't choose to see.

Chocolateorange22 · 09/08/2024 07:52

Transport or Logistics admin

I do a WFH role and generally don't speak to anyone all day. If you are in an office you may occasionally speak with a driver but as they aren't meant to use a phone whilst driving or use a handheld PDA you shouldn't have to. Occasionally customers but most just use email nowadays unless urgent.

SnowRose1 · 09/08/2024 07:40

I have a relative who works as an ecological consultant, doing bat surveys at night, also tree/newt surveys all on their own etc. Relative says this occupation attracts a lot of introverts, people with neurodiversity, people who grew up as an only child, or just like spending time on their own. The pay is probably £25K+ for a council job (e.g. tree officer) and about £30K+ in the private sector working for an ecological consultancy company. There are other roles in forestry and also agriculture that might suit, for example with the Forestry Commission.

Stopsnowing · 09/08/2024 07:21

Archivist librarian etc?

CallMeDaphne · 09/08/2024 07:12

HR?

Oscillith · 09/08/2024 07:11

ExtrovertedIntrovert1 · 08/08/2024 22:09

I would love this. I have spoken to a train driver about it and he loved his job too but trainee train driving roles rarely ever seem to come up and when they do the competition is fierce.

Show quote history

Have you looked into freight trains? They tend to run overnight so competition is less fierce as many want day shifts.

Original poster
ExtrovertedIntrovert1 · 09/08/2024 06:52

HeadsAlwaysSpinnig · 08/08/2024 23:39

Police dispatcher. Dont take 999 calls, literally just dealing with officers on the radio and about 900 other things but little public interaction. Can be very fast paced and hard work but pays well, i think my force is about 37k and will accept flexible patterns, i did just nights for about 3 years

Ooh that's something I never even thought of. What sort of qualifications does it require?

OP posts:
HeadsAlwaysSpinnig · 08/08/2024 23:39

Police dispatcher. Dont take 999 calls, literally just dealing with officers on the radio and about 900 other things but little public interaction. Can be very fast paced and hard work but pays well, i think my force is about 37k and will accept flexible patterns, i did just nights for about 3 years

JFDIYOLO · 08/08/2024 23:32

E learning designer
Proof reader

lollitakortez · 08/08/2024 23:26

...and Astronaut

lollitakortez · 08/08/2024 23:25

Dog walker

TheNinny · 08/08/2024 23:10

IT support responding to online submitted works orders for say a big organisation like a college/uni or the nhs. Every team i’ve seen like this has introverted people who don’t speak (no offence i hope!!)

TheNinny · 08/08/2024 23:08

not sure where you are based but in scotland clinical coding is band 4 in nhs, so salary is 27.5 - 30k full time. It’s quite niche and usually hires internally, those having done coding courses etc via their workplace. It’s not super popular though so you occasionally see roles advertised externally.

accounts assistant (not sure if technician is the same thing?) roles have more people interaction than what springs to mind - phoning/greeting clients etc, asking for missing invoices etc and any accounts prep can involve meeting clients etc.

Tryingtohelp12 · 08/08/2024 23:06

Bid writer in social care (or any sector I suppose)?

hairyspiderleg · 08/08/2024 23:01

When I couldn't take people anymore I got a job cleaning offices. Bliss. Gave me a break from dealing with the public and I still had a wage.

caringcarer · 08/08/2024 22:58

Also HGV driving. My son spends every day driving around on his own in a HGV lorry. You arrive at destination and someone unloads whilst you take breaks. Sometimes lorry related but then you drive back to the depot.

caringcarer · 08/08/2024 22:56

Building computer models
Data analytics
Financial modeller

These spend most time working alone with a weekly team meeting online.

Autel · 08/08/2024 22:39

What are your skills and qualifications?

mdinbc · 08/08/2024 22:37

Look into transportation and logistics. I work at a container port, planning the trucking end of things. 3 computer screens, phone and radio to the operating yard. I deal with lots of trucking and logistics firms as well as customs brokers, but haven't really met many of them! Also look at supply chain specialist. The pay is good, but I'm not in your country.

Original poster
ExtrovertedIntrovert1 · 08/08/2024 22:09

Oscillith · 08/08/2024 21:29

Train driver

I would love this. I have spoken to a train driver about it and he loved his job too but trainee train driving roles rarely ever seem to come up and when they do the competition is fierce.

OP posts:
Oblomov24 · 08/08/2024 22:09

I still think that many Finance staff are people persons.