Summary: The purpose of this exercise it to explore ones values, career interests and how they line up

with each other. This exercise is helpful for career counseling because it explores personal values and
exposes how values are congruent or not congruent with career choices. This activity can be done
individually or in a group setting, but discussion should be guided by the counselor in both circumstances.
This resource was obtained through a google site, MIT Career Development Center, and is accessible for
anyone one to obtain at no cost. This exercise can be used on all populations, however age, culture and
disabilities can play a role in the decision making process. This resource can be helpful with clients and
students to help determine ones personal values and how they conflict or fit in with their career choices.
Having congruency with both can lead to a fulfilling and satisfying profession life.

Values and Career Exploration

1.
Make a statement about career-related choices:
I want to_______________________________________________________
I should________________________________________________________
Did you come up with different statements?____________________________________
2.

Self Assessment-Four Things Everyone Wants from Work:

Rate the four categories according to highest priority on a scale of 1 to 4, 4 being the
highest:
_____ ECONOMIC - What kind of compensation do you need and want?
_____ SOCIAL - What kind of people do you want as colleagues, supervisors, clients?
_____EMOTIONAL - What intrinsic rewards do you want from work (e.g.
challenge, new learning)?
____SPIRITUAL - How do you want to contribute to society?
3.
All of the following values are worthwhile. What Are Values:
Values are one of the most important aspects of our career choices.
What Are Values: (group discussion)
Please select your top 10 (check), and then your top 5 values (two checks):
____ACHIEVEMENT ____ADVANCEMENT ____ADVENTURE ___AESTHETICS
____AUTONOMY ____CARING ____CHALLENGE ____CHANGE & VARIETY
____COMPETITION ____COOPERATION ____CREATIVITY____ECONOMIC SECURITY
____EXCITEMENT ____FAMILY HAPPINESS ____FRIENDSHIP ____HEALTH ____HELP
OTHERS ____HELP SOCIETY ____INNER HARMONY ____INTEGRITY ____INTELLECTUAL
STATUS ____KNOWLEDGE ____LEADERSHIP ____LEISURE ____LOCATION ____LOYALTY
____PLEASURE ____POWER____PRECISION____RESPONSIBILITY ____RECOGNITION
____STABILITY____SPIRITUALITY____TIME FREEDOM ____WEALTH ____WISDOM
Reactions to Values Clarification Exercise:
After completing the exercises, consider the following questions: (group discussion)

Did you already have a clear grasp of your values, or did you discover something in the
process of this exercise?
How did you arrive at your choices?
Why are these values important to you?
How do your values fit and/or conflict with your career choices?

Summary: The purpose of this exercise it to explore ones values, career interests and how they line up
with each other. This exercise is helpful for career counseling because it explores personal values and
exposes how values are congruent or not congruent with career choices. This activity can be done
individually or in a group setting, but discussion should be guided by the counselor in both circumstances.
This resource was obtained through a google site, MIT Career Development Center, and is accessible for
anyone one to obtain at no cost. This exercise can be used on all populations, however age, culture and
disabilities can play a role in the decision making process. This resource can be helpful with clients and
students to help determine ones personal values and how they conflict or fit in with their career choices.
Having congruency with both can lead to a fulfilling and satisfying profession life.
What were some of the values important to all of you?
Were there similarities or differences?
What might cause you to reprioritize your values?