How much do you know about your values and the way they might influence your career and job choices?  In this context, the work "value" refers to how you feel about the work itself and the contribution it makes to society.  Most people who pursue work that is congruent with their values feel satisfied and successful in their careers.

The following is a list of values that many people have identified as being important to them in their careers.  To begin exploring your own values, rate the degree of importance of each of the following values.
 

                               1 = Not important at all
                               2 = Somewhat important
                               3 = Reasonably important
                               4 = Very important
 

_____ Help Society:  Do something to contribute to a better world
_____ Help Others:   Be involved in helping others in a direct way
_____ Work with Others:   Work as a team member toward common goals
_____ Competition:   Engage in activities which pit my abilities against others
_____ Work Alone:   Do projects by myself, with limited contact with others
_____ Work Under Pressure:  Face situations with time constraints
_____ Power and Authority:   Control the work activities of others
_____ Influence People:  Be in a position to influence the attitudes or opinions of other people
_____ Knowledge:  Pursue knowledge, trust, and understanding
_____ Personal Growth:   Engage in work that offers the opportunity to grow as a person
_____ Creative, Artistic:   Engage in creative artistic expression
_____ Creativity, General:  Have the opportunity to create new programs, materials, or organizational structures
_____ Variety:  Have responsibilities that change frequently
_____ Security:   Be assured of keeping my job and receiving satisfactory compensation
_____ Stability:  Have a work routine and job duties that are largely predictable
_____ Recognition:   Be publicly recognized for the quality of my work
_____ Excitement:   Experience a high degree of excitement in my work
_____ Location:   Work in a location close to home, short commute
_____ Fun:   Work in a setting where I am free to be playful, humorous
_____ Autonomy:   Have responsibilities that allow me freedom to determine how and when work is accomplished
_____ Fast Pace:   Work in circumstances where work must be done rapidly
_____ Advancement:   Have the opportunity to work hard and earn career advancement
_____ Aesthetics:   Participate in studying or appreciating the beauty of   things, ideas, etc.
_____ Achievement:   Experience a sense of accomplishment for a job well done
_____ Financial Gain:   Have a likelihood of achieving excellent monetary rewards for my work
_____ Supervision:   Have a job in which I am directly responsible for the work of others
_____ Physical Challenge:   Do activities that use my physical capabilities
_____ 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
 

Now list the values you rated with a 4, Very Important:
 
 
 

Note the values you rated with a 3, Reasonably Important:
 
 
 

Do you see any patterns?
 
 

Take a look at the values you ranked with a 4.  Where did these values come from?  Are they important to you, or are they really more important to others (like friends, parents, etc.)?

For more assistance in identifying your work values contact Career Services to set an appointment with one of our counselors.

Career & Counseling Services
PO Box 60728
Canyon, TX 79016
(806) 651-2345
Virgil Henson Activities Center Suite 210