Top Careers For People Haters
If you tend to get along with computers and data better than people, these seven careers could be right for you.

By Amy Chang

Does socializing with others at work make you want to run for the hills? Do you consider yourself more wallflower than social butterfly?

If you dread water cooler talk like the plague, you could be in the wrong career. The good news is there are many career options suitable for people who just aren't, well, people-persons. But finding the right one for you may require some reflection.

"One way to look at the full range of careers you can choose is to see them as dealing with a mix of data, people, and things," advises Laurence Shatkin, career expert and author of "50 Best Jobs For Your Personality." "If you want to avoid involvement with people, you want a career that focuses mainly on data or inanimate objects."

Interested in learning more? Keep reading to see which of these seven solitary careers could help you excel.

Career #1: Accountant
Find numbers and financial data more stimulating than small talk and conference calls? You might be a good fit in the often-isolated career of accountant.

Why It's Great For Solitary Types: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, some primary responsibilities of an accountant may include computing taxes, preparing financial documents, and maintaining records - all tasks that won't require a lot of face-to-face interaction.

"Although you can't avoid people entirely in this career, the job is mostly concerned with manipulating data," says Shatkin, "so the work tasks will keep you in front of your computer and away from people for most of the workday."

Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.

What You'll Need to Prep: To get ready to pursue most accountant careers, a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field is required, says the Department of Labor.

Career #2: Graphic Designer
We get it. You're a creative type. You prefer bending over your sketch pad beneath a single desk lamp to going out with your friends. Fortunately for you, graphic design is one career where you can be your aloof little self.

Why It's Great For Solitary Types: Since most of these could be done from the comfort of your computer, according to Shatkin, you'll be happy to hear that interaction with others could be minimal.

"You may need to communicate with people to receive their suggestions or corrections, particularly if you are part of a collaborative effort such as designing the graphic content of a video game. However, most of the time you will be working alone, especially if you freelance," says Shatkin.

Some duties of a graphic designer may include using the computer to design images for logos or websites, creating designs that convey a message, or developing layouts for magazines, notes the U.S. Department of Labor.
What You'll Need to Prep: According to the Department of Labor, graphic designers are usually required to have a bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field, as well as a professional portfolio that showcases their talent. If you have a bachelor's degree in another field, you could "pursue technical training in graphic design to meet qualifications," says the Department.

Career #3: Software Developer
Are you more interested in working with computers than people? You might consider a career as a software developer.

Why It's Great For Solitary Types: "Software developers spend almost the entire day in front of the computer. Those who work in highly collaborative settings, such as those developing a new smartphone app, will have to bounce their ideas off of co-workers, but even in these situations it is often possible to avoid meetings and limit most communication to e-mails," Shatkin says.

As a software developer, you may be responsible for making sure computer programs work correctly, making it nearly impossible for you to have idle time to chit chat. In fact, according