Identifying your values is an exercise in finding out life priorities. Obviously we could all say we like money, but our purposes for having it could vary widely. To some, it represents a symbol of success and accomplishment, to others -- the ability to have fun, while for someone else it means security, or providing the means to contribute to an important cause. Knowing what you want out of life will help you choose a career path that is compatible with your personal values.
The area of "values" can also be subdivided to include specific "work values". Beyond the pay cheque, what do you hope to get out of your work? Will it meet your need for achievement, socialization, or the feeling that you are making a difference? What motivates you to do your best work? Is it the opportunity to earn more, a prestigious title, or just knowing you are doing your duty? Finding a career that provides the right motivation for you will go a long way to ensuring your success.
TypeFocus also has a Values assessment section. Discover what values are important to you and what occupations share these values.
FREE - To access TypeFocus, log into your myTrent account, go to the Support tab and find the icon/link for it under "Careerspace". Complete the 20-25 minute quiz which will lead you to occupational and education information.
Self Reflection Activity on Life & Work Values
Most people who pursue work that is congruent with their values feel satisfied and successful in their careers. (The University of Waterloo Career Development Manual, 2nd ed.)
The following is a list of personal values that many people have identified as being important to them in their careers. To begin exploring your own personal work values, rate each value listed with the following scale. Feel free to add other values important to you but missing from the list.
- Things I value VERY MUCH
- Things I VALUE
- Things I DON'T VALUE very much
Self Reflection Activity
| RATING | VALUES |
|---|---|
| Help Society - Do something which contributes to improving the world we live in | |
| Help Others - Be directly included in helping other people, either individually or in small groups | |
| Public Contact - Have a lot of day-to-day contact with the public | |
| Work with Others - Work as a team member toward common goals | |
| Work Alone - Do projects by myself, with limited contact with others | |
| Competitions - Engage in activities which pit my abilities against others | |
| Make Decisions - Have the power to decide courses of action and policies | |
| Influence People - Be in a position of power to influence the attitudes or opinions of other people | |
| Knowledge - Engage in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding | |
| Work Mastery - Become an expert in whatever work I do | |
| Artistic Creativity - Engage in creative artistic statement | |
| General Creativity - Have the opportunity to create new programs, materials, and organizational structures | |
| Aesthetics - Participate in studying or appreciating the beauty of things, ideas, etc. | |
| Supervision - Have a job in which I am directly responsible for the work of others | |
| Change and Variety - Have work activities which frequently change | |
| Precision Work - Work in situations where attention to detail and accuracy are very important | |
| Stability - Have a work routine and job duties that are largely predictable | |
| Security - Be assured of keeping my job and receiving satisfactory compensation | |
| Recognition - Be publicly recognized for the high quality of my work | |
| Fast Pace - Work in circumstances where work must be done rapidly | |
| Excitement - Experience a high degree of (or frequent) excitement in the course of my work | |
| Adventure - Have work duties which require frequent risk-taking | |
| Financial Gain - Have a high likelihood of achieving very great monetary rewards for my work | |
| Physical Challenge - Do activities that use my physical capabilities | |
| Independence - Be able to determine the nature of my work without significant direction from others | |
| Moral fulfillment - Feel that my work contributes to a set of moral standards which I feel are very important | |
| Community - Live where I can participate in community affairs | |
| Time Freedom - Be able to work according to my own schedule |
From the above list, select those values that you consider the most essential for you to be satisfied and fulfilled in your work.