MBTI® Test ISTJ Air Traffic Controllers

Strong Interest Inventory® General Occupational Theme Code: Enterprising, Conventional (EC) (GOT)

The responsibility and practicality necessary for a career as an air traffic controller is not suitable for just anyone. In fact, a specific Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI test) personality type possesses the qualities and characteristics that help them fit well in this type of occupation. The highly logical and organized Introverted-Sensing-Thinking-Judging (ISTJ) Myers-Briggs test type is often a good fit for this career.

Image courtesy of digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Job duties for air traffic controllers can often include directing and monitoring air traffic (both on the ground and in the sky), whether they are confirming take off and landing or supervising the airborne vehicles and their flight pathways. Air traffic controllers are also in charge of regulating various safety measures and procedures to ensure that government and private companies are complying with lawful safety codes. On any given day, air traffic controllers can be found following emergency procedures when something goes wrong, communicating potential precautions to pilots when they are airborne (such as a nearby vehicle or weather issues), coordinating flight schedules so as to make take off and landings easier and more time efficient, and overseeing various airspaces, alerting people to incoming aircraft. Air traffic controllers also work closely with pilots, airline representatives, federal and state regulators, and other personnel to ensure that those in the air have the highest possible level of safety and security while flying.

Several specialized instruments are used in this occupation, such as guidance and navigation systems, as well as various forms of communication necessary to ensure that communication channels remain open. Perhaps most important are flight control software (e.g., Enroute descent advisor EDA; Traffic management advisor TMA, and others), and Expert system software (e.g., advanced technologies and oceanic procedures, etc.) To be successful in this occupation, a working knowledge of these tools and various other subjects is necessary. For example, air traffic controllers must be thoroughly aware of the following: geography, domestic and international safety laws, telecommunications, and various other laws that they must uphold during their working time.

In addition to these kinds of more technical knowledge, important skills for excelling in this position include sound judgment, abstract problem solving, and logical levelheadedness. Coordination and communication are also key, especially when so much time is given to communicating strategies and orders that must be followed precisely in order to avoid a collision. Much of these skills and subjects come from work experience, and because of this, oftentimes there is no college degree requirement for a position as an air traffic controller. Nonetheless, air traffic controllers must be able to effectively learn on the job.

Below are some employment trends for Air Traffic Controllers:

    • Median wage: $59.13 hourly, $122,990 annually
    • Employment: 24,300 employees
    • Projected growth (2018-2028): Little or no change (-1% to 1%)
    • Projected job openings (2018-2028): 2,300

Visit Our MBTI® About Page and Our ISTJ Personality Type Page For Detailed Information on The ISTJ Personality Type

Visit Our Strong Interest Inventory® Resource Page To Learn About The (EC) GOT

ISTJ Careers

Click on one of these corresponding popular ISTJ Careers for detailed information including Career Stats, Income Stats, Daily Tasks and Required Education:  Accountant, Air Traffic Controller, Aircraft Mechanic / Service Technician, Civil Engineer, Environmental Science & Protection Tech, Nuclear Power Reactor Operator, Security Guard, Supervisor of Correctional Officers, Tax Examiner / Collector / Revenue Agent, and Transportation Inspector.

Explore Our ISTJ Blog Pages:

Explore additional information that delves deeper into the ISTJ Personality Type by examining various personality and career based subjects:

Click on a link below to read more about different MBTI Personality Types

ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP
ISTP ISFP INFP INTP ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJ

References:

      1. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2012-2022 employment projections Onetonline.org
      2. MBTI® Type Tables for Occupations, 2nd Edition. Schaubhut, N. & Thompson, R. (CPP, 2008)