Values

Overwhelmed by too many career options? Considering your values might help you out!

A lot of times when we think of the phrase values, we think about our personal moral or ethical beliefs. But, in terms of making a career choice, when we use the word values, we’re talking more about personal priorities and preferences. (I like to operate under the assumption that anyone who might read this blog would choose a moral and legal career path!)

About.com’s Career Planning Section provides the following list of values and their corresponding definitions:

• Autonomy: receiving no or little supervision
• Helping Others: providing assistance to individuals or groups
• Prestige: having high standing
• Job Security: a high probability that one will remain employed
• Collaboration: working with others
• Helping Society: contributing to the betterment of the world
• Recognition: receiving attention for your work
• Compensation: receiving adequate pay
• Achievement: doing work that yields results
• Utilizing Your Skills and Background: using your education and work experience to do your job
• Leadership: supervising/managing others
• Creativity: using your own ideas
• Variety: doing different activities
• Challenge: performing tasks that are difficult
• Leisure: having adequate time away from work
• Recognition: receiving credit for achievements
• Artistic Expression: expressing one's artistic talents
• Influence: having the ability to affect people's opinions and ideas

Sometimes individuals can have value conflicts. Value conflicts arise when two or more values compete with each other. For example, the values of High Earnings and Leisure Time may conflict, as those professionals who have a higher salary may be required to work longer hours.

Values can serve as a good way to narrow down competing career choices. You may enjoy a variety of career related activities, but if these possibilities don’t provide you with things like adequate compensation or job security, it may be time to check out other options.