Making career decisions can be overwhelming in an evolving job market. Traditional career theories, such as Holland’s Theory of Career Choice and Super’s Life-Span, Life-Space Theory, emphasize the importance of aligning work with personal interests, skills, and values. Many Penn students choose majors based on interests, develop skills necessary for industry, but what about values? Personal and professional values serve as a foundation for long-term career satisfaction and success. By focusing on what truly matters to you, values-based career decision making helps create a path that is both meaningful and sustainable.
Values-based career decision making is the process of selecting a career that aligns with your core beliefs, priorities, and motivations. By focusing on your values, you can make career decisions that bring greater meaning and fulfillment to your life. Some example values can include:
| Salary | Location | Work-Life Balance | Job Security | Professional Growth | Collaboration |
| Creativity | Work Culture | Integrity | Innovation | Flexibility | Social Impact |
| Recognition | Independence | Diversity & Inclusion | Sustainability | Excitement | Responsibility |
How to Identify Your Core Values
Values-based decisions in career transitions can lead to greater job satisfaction, higher motivation, lower burnout risk, and better decision-making. But how do we identify the core values that matter to us when making career choices? This can be a difficult task. Here are some ways you can identify your core work values:
- Engage in Self-Reflection: Discovering and learning others’ values can be a great way to brainstorm your own list of values. Conducting informational interviews can help you network, while reflecting on your own values. Check out our guide here.
- Ask yourself big questions like, “What work environments make me feel most fulfilled?” or “When have I felt the happiest and most engaged in my work?”
- Exchange thoughts with professionals in your industry.
- Chat with family members and support systems about what you want.
- Consult professors and mentors.
- Make a Values List and Prioritize Your Values:
- Journaling Exercise: This simple exercise can challenge you to prioritize your most important values.
- Step 1: Write down 20 key values that matter to you
- Step 2: Cross out the 10 least important from the list of 20
- Step 3: Cross out the five least important from the list of 10
- Step 4: Rank the remaining five values from 1-5
- Conduct an Online Values Assessment:
- There are many free Values Assessments online. Here is one from CareerOneStop, a tool from the US Department of Labor
- Journaling Exercise: This simple exercise can challenge you to prioritize your most important values.
Applying Values to Career Decisions
When it comes to both the job search and long-term career planning, aligning your decisions with your values helps connect you to roles, companies, and cultures that lead to fulfillment in both work and life. However, making values-based decisions can be challenging, and compromises may be necessary at different stages of your career. To ensure a good fit, ask thoughtful questions during interviews that can help you assess if the company’s values align with your own. Additionally, you can:
- Check online reviews (e.g., Glassdoor) to gain insight into a company’s work environment.
- Consult with industry professionals to get a firsthand perspective.
- Remember to approach all of this information with some skepticism, as your personal experience may differ.
Finally, don’t hesitate to reach out to Penn Career Services’ trained staff for guidance on how to incorporate your values into your career decisions. Schedule an appointment with Career Services to take the next step in aligning your career with what matters most! Book an appointment today!
