Exploring Your Values
Values are inner dispositions or beliefs that guide our actions. They are an integral component in making a career decision. When our occupation and work setting complement our values, we are fulfilled. When our occupation and/or work setting conflict with our values, we are likely to become frustrated and burned out. Below is a list of common values. Check those that are most important to you. See questions at the bottom of the list.
- Accomplishment: Make a lasting contribution; produce results; reach goals.
- Aesthetics: Appreciate and contribute to the beauty of your surroundings, objects.
- Altruism: Give top priority to the interests and needs of others.
- Belonging: Be accepted as a worthwhile member of a group.
- Compassion: Stand with and support others in their need and distress.
- Creative Expression: Express ideas in novel, innovative, and original ways.
- Diversity: Value and respect differences in people, ideas, situations.
- Exciting Life: Maintain a stimulating and active life; take risks; try new things.
- Fairness: Distribute benefits and burdens to others appropriately.
- Family: Protect and care for those you love and are related to by birth or by law.
- Financial Security: Have financial resources to live comfortably and achieve your goals.
- Friendship: Develop intimate and caring bonds with others.
- Happiness: Feel joy and emotional well-being.
- Health: Maintain soundness of body and mind.
- Honesty: Tell the truth to yourself and others.
- Independence: Take actions free from the control of others.
- Inner Harmony: Develop inner peace, free of internal conflicts and confusion.
- Integrity: Consistency of thought/words/actions: ‘What I think is what I say and do’.
- Justice: Treat everyone the same unless there are relevant moral reasons to treat them differently.
- Leadership: Take on leadership roles formally or informally.
- Loyalty: Do one’s duty, honor allegiances and commitments to obligations.
- Pleasure: Seek enjoyment and satisfaction of the senses.
- Power: Exercise control, authority, and influence over others.
- Recognition: Gain positive feedback and perhaps notoriety for a job well done.
- Respect: Treat other people, animals, and the environment with dignity and care.
- Responsibility: Be accountable for actions relating to people, things, or results.
- Security: Be free from fear or danger; exist in a stable environment.
- Self-respect: Treat yourself with dignity and care, develop self-esteem.
- Social Contribution: Work for the good of society, advance the common good.
- Spirituality: Participate in a relationship with God; have religious beliefs.
- Stewardship: Care for resources and processes entrusted to you.
- Teamwork: Act with others toward a shared goal.
- Time Freedom: Have a flexible schedule with flexible responsibilities.
- Variety: Engage in frequent changes in activities, locations and people.
- Wealth: Accumulate money and possessions.
- Well-informed: Be aware of current events and social trends.
- Wisdom: Understand what is true, right, and lasting.
Questions to Consider…
- Which 4-5 values are most important to you?
- How did you develop these most important values?
- How do these values inform/integrate with your choice of major and occupation?