Top 3 Careers for Highly Conscientious People

D.W. Fiske developed The Big Five personality traits theory in 1949. The idea, which other researchers have expanded on throughout the years, includes extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.

In simple terms, neuroticism refers to a lack of positive psychological and external events, openness refers to the degree to which an individual is open to new experiences or ways of doing things, agreeableness measures how compatible individuals are with others, and conscientiousness is impulse control that facilitates task and goal-directed behavior. 

Scientists believe this so-called “person-centered” approach better systematically reflects the integrated character of appropriate human behavior.  

A conscientious person sets and keeps long-term goals, is more deliberate about choices, acts more cautiously, and takes their obligations seriously. This fundamental personality trait is essential for personal and professional success. 

And an August 2022 Student Select article notes that over 100+ years of psychological research finds conscientiousness as the top predictor of job performance after college. 

One study surveyed males and females from seven occupations: pharmacists, teachers, bank employees, hotel staff, dentists, salespeople, and air-traffic controllers. Researchers found conscientiousness as the only personality trait that consistently predicted the job success of an individual across six of the seven occupations.

The following are the three careers suitable for highly conscientious people. 

Freelance Writer

Someone who is highly conscientious is generally thoughtful, goal-oriented, and controlled. They enjoy setting plans and schedules, finishing projects promptly, and being watchful of specifics. 

Therefore, a highly conscientious person may look into freelance writing. Aspiring freelancers don’t just have strong writing skills; they must also possess a business attitude. 

Anyone who runs their own business must do proactive marketing, decide on their rates, send out contracts, set healthy boundaries, chase late payments, and turn down less-than-exciting offers.

Highly conscientious people also display self-confidence. They enter the world confident they have something valuable to offer the marketplace and can bounce back if rejected. 

A “can-do” hustle attitude makes all the difference in the freelance world, and this is an attitude of a highly conscientious person. 

Marketing Consultant

Marketing Consultants are professionals who help companies understand their customers. They identify effective marketing campaigns that will reach targeted audiences effectively and efficiently.

Communicators and marketers can now adopt a personalized approach to their work, ideally based on behavioral science. Marketing is competitive and requires carefully planned and well-executed tactics to be successful. 

Like freelance writing, someone highly conscientious may thrive as a marketing consultant because they can think out of the box, adapt to changing circumstances, have a strong work ethic, and are willing to learn and grow. 

Additionally, highly conscious people are incredibly detail-oriented. It’s not just about the work they are doing. They have a keen eye for detail with any task handed to them. Often, businesses produce content without a clear picture of who they intend to target. A good marketing consultant takes the time to research the respective market and build valuable content based on demographics and ​market trends​.

Doctor

Over 11 years will pass before someone earns their doctor’s license. Doctors must complete a four-year undergraduate program, an additional four years in medical school, and three to seven years in a residency program. 

Unsurprisingly, doctors are good listeners and communicators and are organized, conscientious, curious, collaborative, and persistent. One can’t succeed in medicine without presence of mind and being vigilant about details. 

Therefore, someone who is highly conscientious would make a great doctor. They work diligently to achieve the goals they've set for their future while being responsible, reliable, organized, and hard-working.

They also pay close attention to every detail to ensure they deliver on their promises, which is crucial in medicine. 

“A doctor needs to make sure that her patients get recommended screening tests, that their questions are answered, and that patients have a clear plan of action upon leaving her office,” Lisa Doggett, MD, MPH, and a family physician, said in a press release. “She must be vigilant about following up on any tests done and communicating those results.”