10 Best College Majors for Introverts

Introverts are people who recharge by spending time alone. Instead of getting energy from social interactions, social situations force introverts to expend their energy.

When they work in careers that force them to expend even more energy than their extroverted counterparts, introverts may struggle to thrive in the workplace.

If you’re still trying to pick a career, you can set yourself up for success by choosing a college major that’s perfect for introverts.

The ten majors listed below will prepare you for careers that are fulfilling and exciting. While all jobs require energy, you’ll feel less drained when you are working with your nature instead of fighting against it.

1. Accounting

Accounting is a great major for introverts with a gift for math, especially those who are detail-oriented. During college, accounting majors spend the bulk of their time working on assignments alone. They learn how to put together tax documents, financial reports, and other accounting documents.

Many introverts enjoy a challenge. For those who love working through problems and finding solutions, accounting offers a fulfilling career. Since accounting careers require them to complete work without mistakes, it’s ideal for those who are methodical and good with details.

Accounting majors may find careers as financial analysts, certified public accountants (CPAs), and auditors. Financial analysts look at investment strategies to help businesses and individuals limit their risks and increase their profits. CPAs work on financial documents, especially documents that require public disclosure (such as federal tax documents). Auditors analyze financial documents to uncover fraud and correct errors.

2. Architecture

Architecture is a program perfect for introverts who want to design and develop structures. While this career is often glamourized with stories of people who designed memorable works of architecture (like the Arch in St. Louis or the Eiffel Tower in Paris), the reality includes designing things like homes and office buildings.

During college, architecture students learn about architectural theory, construction technology, and design. Most architecture programs include courses about how to use modern computer drafting programs. For specialized careers in the field, students can choose degrees in landscape architecture, urban planning, or industrial design.

Graduates of architecture programs may enjoy jobs as architects, drafters, urban planners, and even interior designers. Architects work with clients to design homes and other buildings. Drafters are members of an architect’s team and use drafting software to make all the necessary drawings needed to plan a construction project. Urban planners do community research and make plans to meet local needs, although these careers often require advanced degrees. Interior designers work with clients to furnish and decorate spaces.

3. Art

Art is a major perfect for introverts with a creative bent. While classes will sometimes require collaborative work, most art majors will complete the majority of their assignments alone. Art students will learn about drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and other art mediums.

While not all artists are introverted, it offers a program perfectly suited for people who enjoy creating things during their downtime. Although art majors need to be creative, art programs will force them to hone their skills, analyze art, and find their unique style.

Art programs prepare students for a variety of art-related careers. They can become educators, gallery managers, designers, and artisans. While introverts may feel less drawn to a teaching career because of the social demands, introverts often thrive as designers and artisans because these careers require long periods of solitary work.

4. Biology or Chemistry

Science degrees like biology and chemistry are good degree programs for introverts, especially for introverts with an aptitude for math and science. During these degree programs, students will learn about their chosen subjects to become experts on the topic.

Although the programs require a lot of independent reading and studying, students will also work in small groups to complete lab assignments. In their careers, science majors will use their expertise to carry out their work in small groups, often performing experiments and conducting research alone.

There are a lot of applications for science degrees like biology and chemistry. Students can enjoy jobs as laboratory technicians, forensic scientists, chemical engineers, or teachers. They may also use an undergraduate degree in science to prepare them for medical school. While medical professions often come with higher social demands, introverts can find one-on-one interactions with their patients fulfilling.

5. Computer Science

Computer science is often the first career idea that comes to mind when people are thinking about degree programs for introverts. Those outside the computer science world often stereotype computer science majors as awkward loners who spend their time in basements, typing away on the computer.

While these stereotypes aren’t entirely right, it’s true that introverts thrive in computer science careers. The major requires students to spend hours a day alone, learning complicated programming languages. Best of all, students with computer science degrees often secure higher salaries and fairly flexible work arrangements.

People with these degrees can find work as computer programmers, software developers, web developers, database administrators, and more. Since STEM jobs like these are rapidly growing, this is the perfect career for introverts who want job security.

6. Engineering

Engineering is a degree program with a myriad of job applications. Students who study engineering learn how to do specialized, technical work that’s in a growing industry. This major requires a lot of independent work and a strong devotion to accuracy.

In both engineering programs and engineering careers, individuals work alone or in small groups to complete projects. They must be able to conduct research, make calculations, and master the material necessary to succeed in their chosen field.

Engineering students can graduate to become aerospace engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and more. When paired with other interests or passions, engineers can find a job that affords them both independence and stimulation.

7. Graphic Design

Graphic design is a degree program that combines fine art, design, and design software learning. Students learn important design concepts to help them create visually appealing graphics. These skills can be used in a variety of graphic mediums, from print ads to animation.

Since we live in such a graphics-driven world, there is a nearly endless supply of graphic design jobs. During college, graphic design students enjoy working on design projects independently. While many graphic designers work as part of a team, the bulk of their work is carried out alone. Some graphic designers manage successful freelancing careers that afford them the flexibility and solitude they need to thrive.

After graduation, students with graphic design degrees can become graphic designers, animators, web designers, art directors, advertisers, and even video game designers. While design concepts and software knowledge require some technical skills, this career path often requires much less reading, math, and science. It’s ideal for people who thrive doing independent work outside of a classroom setting.

8. Journalism

When people think “journalism,” they often think of news reporters dashing off to interview people to complete a news report. While news reporting is certainly a significant part of journalism, journalism degrees provide students with the skills needed to do a number of different jobs.

Journalism programs are ideal for introverted students who don’t mind inserting themselves into social situations. Although much of their work after graduation may allow them to work in solitude, some of their courses will require them to learn how to conduct interviews for news publications.

However, journalism degrees equip students with the skills they need to become strong written communicators. They hone their writing skills and learn how to create persuasive content. This makes them perfect candidates for jobs as writers, editors, copywriters, content managers, and more. With the increased demand for written content online, many introverted journalism majors find their voice in the world of blogging.

9. Marketing

Marketing is another degree program that doesn’t immediately drum up images of introverts in the workplace. However, the skills needed to be successful in marketing are ones most often found in introverted individuals.

For example, marketing requires a level of perception and emotional intelligence that’s often found in introverts. They must figure out what people are thinking and plan advertising materials that cater to the consumer’s needs. Since introverts spend a lot of time thinking about their feelings and observing the world around them, they are particularly gifted in marking programs.

Introverts with marketing degrees can find a number of jobs in marketing. They may find themselves in print, radio, television, or online marketing. As team leaders, they may find themselves engineering a multi-pronged marketing plan for a company or brand.

10. Psychology

Psychology is a degree that prepares students for advanced degrees in clinical counseling and therapy. The psychology programs themselves focus on helping students learn concepts and theories about how the human mind works.

For many introverts, this is an appealing topic that they’re more than willing to dive into because of personal interest. Introverts who love to read will enjoy a program that expects them to read extensively.

Individuals with psychology degrees have a wide variety of jobs to choose from. They may become counselors, therapists, human resource managers, psychiatrists, teachers, or researchers. While teaching and human resources are careers that require a significant amount of social interaction, the other careers focus on one-on-one communication, making them an ideal fit for introverts who enjoy working in small group settings.