Extrovert and Introvert: 5 Degrees for Each Personality

At an office party, are you that outgoing guest who looks forward to meeting lots of new people? Or is your idea of the perfect event one where you can find a quiet spot to catch up with a few close associates and friends?

If you’re the gregarious sort, you may have an extrovert personality; you’re outwardly focused and feel energized by interacting with others. If you’re the partygoer who favors low-key social interaction, you could have an introvert personality; you prefer small group events and need time on your own to refuel.

Extrovert vs. Introvert

Any successful organization—and office party—has a mix of extroverts and introverts. In fact, psychologists say there is an extroversion-introversion spectrum, and most of us fall somewhere between the two poles. In other words, no two extroverts, or introverts, are alike.

Here’s how the American Psychological Association (APA) describes the two personality orientations:

Extroversion: “…characterized by an orientation of one’s interests and energies toward the outer world of people and things rather than the inner work of subjective experience. … Extroverts often are described as outgoing, gregarious, sociable, and openly expressive.”¹

Introversion: “Orientation toward the internal private world of one’s self and one’s inner thoughts and feelings, rather than toward the outer world of people and things … Introverts are relatively more withdrawn, retiring, reserved, quiet, and deliberate.”²

But no matter where you fall on the extrovert vs. introvert spectrum, you can find an online college degree program to prepare you for a career suited to your ambitions—and personality traits. Here are some online degree programs to consider:

College Degree Options for Extroverts

1. MS in Human Resource Management
   HR is a people-centric career field, with jobs that may perfectly suit an extrovert. In an HR master’s degree program, you’ll cover topics like conflict management and negotiation, mentoring and coaching, promoting collaboration, and training and development.
2. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
   As a people person, you may want to choose a master’s program that prepares you to provide direct patient care as a nurse practitioner. Choose a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Primary Care specialization to use your nursing talent, compassion, and communication skills to treat patients from birth to 21.
3. Master of Social Work (MSW)
   Extroverted professionals may feel called to the social work profession, where they can serve as an advocate for individuals and families facing challenges of all kinds. Look for an MSW degree program that offers classroom tools and field practice experiences to help you become career-ready.
4. MS in Leadership
   Here’s a master’s degree program that can help put you out in front of organizations, empowering and leading people. In an online degree program in leadership, you can examine your leadership style and learn how to maximize your potential.
5. MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
   If you’re interested in a counseling career, you may find your niche in marriage, couple, and family counseling. A master’s in counseling can equip you with the skills to help clients work through individual and family challenges.

College Degree Options for Introverts

1. MS in Information Technology
   IT study and work require sustained mental effort, often in a quiet environment. This type of work may especially suit a more introverted individual. And earning an IT degree specializing in software engineering, for example, may confer a big advantage. Between 2021 and 2031, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be 25% job growth for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.³
2. PhD in Public Health
   A career in research can offer plenty of time to work independently. In a PhD program, you’ll build advanced research skills that you can use to help create positive social change in public health. Choose an Environmental and Occupational Health specialization to focus your work on building healthier communities.
3. MS in Instructional Design and Technology
   Not all teaching is done at the front of the classroom. You can take your passion for education in a new direction by earning this innovative master’s degree. Explore how and why people learn, and then use that knowledge to create multimedia learning experiences. Career options include curriculum designer or instructional designer, working in settings like education and healthcare.
4. MS in Criminal Justice
   If your career interests point toward policy, you may enjoy the study of law and public policy. In this criminal justice specialization, you’ll examine legal concepts, cases, and current trends in law and policy . As the criminal justice reform movement continues to grow, you may find a rewarding role creating policy in the public or private sector.
5. MS in Human Services
   Introverts make an impact in any field they choose. Earning a human services degree can prepare you to apply your talents where your community needs them most. Specialize in disaster, crisis, and intervention and become an in-demand professional who excels at emergency planning.

Introvert vs. Extrovert: Degrees for All

If you’re interested in exploring the dynamics of personality, then you may also be interested in earning a psychology degree. A bachelor’s in psychology is a versatile degree that can help prepare you for jobs in a variety of career fields.

Walden University’s BS in Psychology online degree program offers the choice of a general course of study or one of five concentrations: Addiction, Criminal Justice, Forensic Psychology, Human Services, and Workplace Psychology.

At the master’s level, there’s an online MS in Psychology degree program that lets you tailor your studies to your career goals. Choose General Psychology or one of these specializations: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Applied Psychology, Digital Psychology, Educational Psychology, Health Psychology, Social Psychology, or the Self-Designed specialization, which lets you further customize your master’s program in psychology.

Walden designs its online psychology degree programs for working professionals who want to earn a degree while staying active in their careers and personal lives. As an adult learner, you can set your own study schedule and work anywhere you have an internet connection.

So, extrovert or introvert? No matter where you fall on the introversion-extroversion scale, you can make a difference by choosing an online degree program that prepares you for a career in psychology.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering online BS in Psychology and MS in Psychology degree programs to help you meet your professional goals. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: https://dictionary.apa.org/extraversion
²Source: https://dictionary.apa.org/introversion
³Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.

Note on Licensure: The BS in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology or counseling professional.

Note on Licensure: The MS in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology or counseling professional.