“Maybe I could…fly helicopters and be an oceanographer who writes songs and cooks?” People with the ENFP personality type (Campaigners) are known for having a wealth of ideas, interests, and hobbies – to the extent that they may struggle to fit everything that they care about into their life.

It’s no surprise, then, that choosing a career path can leave these imaginative personalities feeling overwhelmed or scattered. ENFPs want to add value to the world, build community, facilitate learning, and express their creativity through their work. Consequently, they may feel pulled in multiple directions, uncertain of how to honor both their passions and their values while still keeping their options open and pulling in a steady paycheck.

The good news? ENFPs can use their boundless curiosity and imagination to propel themselves forward in nearly any profession.

What Works for ENFPs

ENFPs have a way of brightening the world around them – including their workplace. As true optimists, these personalities can usually find pleasure and gratification in nearly any job. They may even welcome the challenge of breaking through a grumpy coworker’s shell, making harried customers smile, or boosting the morale of a less-than-cheerful workplace.

That said, people with the ENFP personality type are more likely to be fulfilled by work that meets certain criteria. First, they need to believe that what they do on a daily basis aligns with their core values. Second, most ENFPs feel best in jobs that use – and build on – their talents, both learned and innate.

These personalities may feel that something is missing if they take on a career that doesn’t allow them to use and improve their people skills. ENFPs also tend to be most motivated in careers that offer learning opportunities and room for creativity – including the opportunity to experiment with side projects that catch their interest.

This explains why many people with the ENFP personality type are drawn to careers in nonprofits, public service, counseling, education, customer or public relations, hospitality, media and entertainment, and the service industry. Jobs in social media and communications can be an excellent fit for ENFPs as well, allowing them to balance creativity with a sense of human connection. ENFPs may also gravitate toward scientific and technical fields where they can have a positive impact, such as human health and environmental science.

Letting Creativity Prevail

For ENFPs, few things are as demoralizing as a job where every day is the same. Predictability and repetition can make people with this personality type feel not only bored but also a little disheartened. Although they benefit from a degree of structure and accountability, they may lose steam in work environments that rely on strict regimentation and hierarchy.

ENFP personalities crave variety, and they love to ask questions. If they’re stuck focusing all of their energy on just one topic or project for too long, they tend to lose focus. To maintain motivation and their hallmark enthusiasm, they need to feel as if they’re both exploring new ideas and pushing boundaries. Any job that expects them to keep quiet and follow protocol is effectively turning two of ENFPs’ greatest strengths into liabilities.

Fortunately, ENFPs’ irrepressible creativity is an asset in most work environments. With their vivacity and empathy, these personalities can turn each workday into an opportunity to learn something new and make the world just a little better – and they wouldn’t have it any other way.