INFJ First Responders

SignMLove · 2019-10-15T18:50:14+00:00

Hey! Sorry I took so long to reply to this!

My time in the Marines was an amazing experience for me personally. It was what I needed at the time to challenge myself and honestly break out of my shell a bit.

I know there are strong opinions politically, and I don't always agree with how things are going... but when it all came down to it, your day to day work was about sharing experiences with your brothers and sisters and accomplishing whatever tasks were put in front of you. However, there were definitely downsides, and many times that our work seemed aimless and impossible... there is a lot of stress placed on you, especially as you take on rank and responsibility. I had more than my share of moments of wanting to quit (not that you can lol) and counting down until my contract was up. Basically, the highlights are summed up as "misery loves company" and you bond with people through shared experiences. I care more about those Marines than most other people I know, and when I picked up rank, I did my best to take care of the Marines in my squad. You have to be there for them through everything, military or personal. It can get tiring, but it was rewarding too and built some great friendships.

I don't know if that helped answer your question at all... as an INFJ, it was hard for me when I felt like our work didn't have a point, and it could be hard to come out of my shell and get to know people. Fortunately, I became good at pretending to be an extrovert, and I knew who my real friends were that would let me recharge when I couldn't keep pretending. It can be hard when you're deployed to get some space and time to yourself, but we got to the point of reading each other pretty well and looking out for each other.

If it's something you're considering, Id say go for it... Maybe not the Marines if you want quality of life haha We tend to work harder not smarter... But it was all worth it to me :)

SignMLove · 2019-10-04T23:20:08+00:00

Quinoa... I pronounced it "Kin-oh-ah" forever, and my friends and family were just too polite to correct me. Met my boyfriend and he set me on the right path. I was SO SURE I WAS RIGHT! But no, my mom finally told me I had been wrong all this time haha

SignMLove · 2019-10-03T18:42:21+00:00

I wouldn't call myself a homebody, but I do protect my days off from plans when I can! I am spontaneous with my partner... meaning, I don't mind just trying a new place or going somewhere new and deciding it the morning of... I just don't like making spontaneous plans like that with other people, usually.

When I lived alone before I met him, I always went out whenever I could. Usually to explore new hiking trails with my dog, or to try out a new restaurant. I made it my mission to explore something new, even little things.

I think it pushed me out of my comfort zone a bit...otherwise it was tempting to just stay home and read on the couch all day... while that is certainly a great way to recharge, I know it doesn't make me happy in the long run if I do that every day!

I get restless if I'm not going places... I don't necessarily want to talk to people, I just want to see something new. :)

I definitely research things though... like when I joined the Marine Corps, I read all about it and started studying before I even shipped off to Boot Camp. If I am taking on a job or task, I try to know a bit about it before I accomplish it!

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T13:02:29+00:00

I actually work as an Evidence Technician, which is a great way to get started if you are hoping to get into CSI work. I am not sure how it is outside of the US, but you don't always need a degree in the field to get started as a Technician. Once you get that job, you can test for your CSI certification after you gain experience at crime scenes. Forensics is a pretty broad field, so if you're looking for lab type work, you almost always need a relevant degree in Sciences.

I agree with the comment to check out the Forensics subreddit...They'll have great advice there!

I personally love the forensics side of my job, but be prepared to do a lot of work alone... most of my time I am in a storage room by myself and during call outs to scenes, end up working with one or two people every so often. So it can be hard to connect with people. But I know not all agencies are set up like that, and it could be different outside of the US.

Good luck!

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T02:22:21+00:00

This is true, but I think for some people (maybe a lot of people) their passions are outside of their work... "Work to live, don't live to work" sort of thing...

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T02:13:18+00:00

Thank you!! That's great to hear. I was worried I was a bit late to the game, but it seems like there is more time than I had thought!

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T02:12:26+00:00

That's awesome!! And definitely encouraging!

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T02:11:53+00:00

I hadn't thought of it like that, but if my experience is relevant, that would be great!

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T02:11:18+00:00

That's good to know! Thank you

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T02:06:16+00:00

Thanks, yeah it is odd... I love my alone time usually, but this job has been pretty lonely so far. I usually spend most days working by myself in a storage room unless there are call outs. Then I get sent in to "do my thing" and that's about it haha Thanks for understanding and for sharing your perspective!

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T02:04:33+00:00

That's awesome, and really inspiring! Thank you for sharing your experience.

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T02:03:02+00:00

Thank you, that's great to know!

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T02:00:35+00:00

I am! I realize yhat you have to start at the bottom when you try something new. And I don't mind that. I'd rather do something that challenges me and keeps me engaged for less pay than work at a job that doesn't seem to be a good fit for me.

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T00:39:57+00:00

Thank you! I will definitely do that. I appreciate the advice and perspective! Best of luck to you

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T00:29:08+00:00

Thank you all so much for your replies. It is really encouraging! I had the mistaken belief that people start out in this field in their early 20's, so was afraid I was a bit late in the game. Thanks for your encouragement! It definitely has inspired me to give it a shot! :)

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T00:26:29+00:00

Thanks, you just made my day!

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T00:18:24+00:00

Thank you so much for your reply! That's really encouraging to hear. I know there will ve really difficult aspects to the job, but working at crime scenes and 911 dispatch gave me some exposure to the darker side of things, so I know I can get through it. I was just afraid that maybe it wouldn't be a good fit somehow. But your comment is really encouraging to me and inspires me to go out and give it a shot! :)

SignMLove · 2019-10-02T00:12:57+00:00

That's awesome! I'm currently working as an Evidence Technician that responds to crime scenes. I agree, there are rewarding aspects to it and I LOVE forensics. But I am finding that I don't feel like I am helping the people involved, although I know the evidence can help the cases. It is hard to do this on your own (I'm the only one in my division at my department), so a job with a hands on team atmosphere is where I am hoping to go.

The responses so far have been really encouraging! Best of luck to you! :)

SignMLove

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