Values

When thinking about a career, values are an important and often overlooked part of job and career satisfaction.   Your career values will help determine what type of job will fulfill you and inspire you.  Your values will make you want to get up and get out of bed and go to work every day and want to do your job.  This Values Checklist taken and modified from Pat Boer a Monster Contributing Writer may help you determine your values.

Intrinsic Values
Intrinsic values are intangible rewards or gains not related to tangible results but based on motivation and satisfaction.  Here are some examples in which you can rank (1 to 5; five being most important) how important each intrinsic value is in your career exploration: 

_____ Variety and flexibility at work
_____  Helping others
_____  Helping society
_____  Being intellectually challenged
_____  Experiencing adventure or excitement
_____  Taking risks
_____  Feeling like your work is respected and valued
_____  Competing with your colleagues or others outside the organization
_____  Having lots of public contact
_____  Influencing others
_____  Working with lots of detail
_____  Feeling a sense of achievement or accomplishment
_____  Having the ability to express your creativity
_____  Working for the public good

Extrinsic Values
Extrinsic Values are the tangible rewards or gains that come from working including financial gains, job titles, benefits and earnings and the opportunity for growth and advancement.  Feel free to rank these values as well from 1 to 5 with 5 being the most important.

_____  Having control or power
_____  Having travel opportunities
_____  Being well compensated
_____  Being an entrepreneur
_____  Working with a team
_____  Working in a fast-paced environment
_____  Setting your own hours
_____  Being wealthy
_____  Having prestige or high social status
_____  Wearing a uniform
_____  Receiving awards, honors, bonuses or recognition
_____  Working in an aesthetically pleasing environment
_____  Working in a high-risk environment

 Lifestyle Values
The final portion of values refers to lifestyle values and how you want to spend your free time and your money or your life outside of work.  Rank these from 1 to 5 as well.

_____  Saving money
_____  Vacationing at expensive places
_____  Living near and having access to educational/cultural opportunities
_____  Living in a big city
_____  Living in a small town or a rural community
_____  Living in a community with good schools and opportunities for young people
_____  Living in a community which is growing or thriving
_____  Having access to many sports/recreational facilities
_____  Spending time with family
_____  Living simply
_____  Having public transportation
_____  Living abroad
_____  Being a homeowner
_____  Having fun in your life and work
_____  Having a life outside of work
_____  Having time and the opportunity for spirituality and personal growth

Now you should have a better idea about what is important to you and your values.  You should write down all your 5s,  If you have more than 20 5s then you will need to prioritize.  If you don't have enough 5s then include your 4s too.  Now look at the three different categories and prioritize which categories are the most important to you.  Then compare and see what values may go together or if there are any inconsistencies in your values.  Continue to compare and analyze your values and write a few sentences about how your values should fit or match into different career types.  You can use this information when  researching careers and discuss it with your career counselor.   Call 660-1050 to schedule an appointment with a career counselor or visit the Career Center Resource room in Page 106 to learn more about matching values and careers.

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