Contact Career Development
Values
Values are very important when it comes to choosing a career. Research suggests that in order to truly enjoy your work, your values need to be honored. In terms of choosing a major or career, values relate to the culture of a work environment. For example, some people may value an organization that is highly structured while others may want flexibility. Some people may value a big salary while others place a higher value on a low stress work place.
So, how do you assess your values? Consider a time when you were at your best—when you felt or thought that things were going well. Often, reviewing these key times will reflect your personal values. For example, if you worked hard with a sports team, gave it your all, and attained a significant goal, some values that might be important to you could include achievement and teamwork. To help identify your values, think about:
- An event or time period when you were at your best.
- What was it about that time that was important to you?
To learn more about the values that are most important to you, review this list. Highlight each value that is meaningful to you. Then, review the list again and narrow your list to your top three to five values.