Narrative Report of the Career Values Scale
The CVS report offers a number of interpretations of the CVS results. According to my report, my main sources of satisfaction when working with others include: work that allows me to act objectively with the knowledge that I am positively affecting others, a sense of team and positive relationships with my coworkers, and a high level of control and influence over others. In that same category (working with others), my main sources of dissatisfaction include: constant customer service tasks, an isolating work environment, and taking subordinate positions with no influence or responsibility. With regards to self-expression in my career, I tend to derive the greatest satisfaction when: using my creativity to solve problems, making independent decisions free from others’ influence, balancing my work-life with both novel and routine activities, and having the opportunity for both personal and professional development. On the other hand, my main sources of dissatisfaction regarding self-expression in my career are: spending too much time on basic routine tasks, a great deal of time focused on consulting with others, too much of routine or risk (I prefer a balance), and a dearth of opportunities for learning or experiencing something new. Finally, in the last category, extrinsic rewards, my main sources of satisfaction include: a good salary and professional contentment, future opportunities, and recognition/status. A poor paying career with no opportunity for skill implementation, a predictable career path, and lack of recognition are among my main sources of career dissatisfaction.
Taking a moment to review these results one can see themes emerge in the primary sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction in my career. One of these themes is that of the importance to be able to make independent decisions and influence others person (leadership). Another is the idea that I value the opportunity for continued learning and growth throughout my career, while I’m dissatisfied with the prospect of being denied this opportunity. I will speak more to these themes in my personal reflection of the CVS.
Taking a moment to review these results one can see themes emerge in the primary sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction in my career. One of these themes is that of the importance to be able to make independent decisions and influence others person (leadership). Another is the idea that I value the opportunity for continued learning and growth throughout my career, while I’m dissatisfied with the prospect of being denied this opportunity. I will speak more to these themes in my personal reflection of the CVS.
Reflection on my Career Values Scale Results
A values based approach to career development fits with my view on career development and career choice. When reading about Brown’s value-based theory of career counselling it just seemed to make sense. While not ignoring the influence of other aspects of career development (i.e. interests, ability, experiences, etc.), value-based theories assert the essentiality of developing a career that is aligned with ones core values in order to feel satisfied. One need look no farther then my philosophy on work, a perspective largely centered on the principle importance of loving what you do, to see that this is something I endeavor for in my young career. Due to my values based work philosophy, I have spent a lot of time considering what it is I value in both my work and my personal life. That being said, I find that the CVS did not necessarily provide me with any new information per se; however, it did strengthen and reaffirm my awareness of these values, allowing me to embrace them more deeply.
Looking at the overarching themes in my CVS results (discussed above), the idea of life-long learning is something that I absolutely relish. Many of my friends, family, and colleagues have heard me speak at length of my desire to “learn everything”. That is to say, it’s not simply the excitement of learning some new interesting information or skill, but the daunting awareness that there’s always something else out there. To put it another way, it’s not the satisfaction of having learned something new; it’s the thrill of the pursuit of more knowledge. This has most obviously manifested in my pursuit of continued formal education, but also in other environments as well. In addition, my free time is spent constantly scouring the Internet, newspapers, and textbooks for new things to learn. Most recently I’ve begun to teach myself how to repair bicycles, code computer programs, and design websites. My love of music is also a testament to this value of life-long learning. Whether looking for a new piece to learn on piano or guitar, or simply searching for interesting new music to listen to, I’m relentlessly pursuing these learning opportunities. |
The opportunity for leadership and influence is another aspect of my career that I strongly value. I strongly believe that the strongest and most influential leaders are those that work hard to earn the respect of their peers. This is something I strive for in all the positions I’ve held. To me influence means some level of control over your environment. It means that you’ve earned the respect of your peers and colleagues to the point that they trust your input and look to you for advice. This is something I seek in everyday life, not just my career. This is especially relevant in the context of my goal of pursuing future graduate level training (i.e. Master’s, Ph.D). While my main drive for pursuing this training is a passion for the knowledge I will gain, another aspect is the thought that I will be able to effect change in the world.
Some of the other aspects of the CVS results clarified some confusing aspects of my value system. While I am often seeking novel experiences and savor spontaneity in my life, there are other times that I prefer the safety of routine. This has been a confusing dichotomy in my life; however, the CVS results felt almost like validation for the possibility of having context dependent values such as this. I will definitely consider this when seeking future employment; not everything has to be black and white, there are many shades of grey to select from. I deeply agree with Brown’s value-based approach to the development of a career. While it may be possible to have a successful career that doesn’t align with your values, I don’t believe that it will be a satisfying one. As far as I’m concerned, when given a choice, most everybody should give careful consideration to how their career path synchronizes with his or her own values. An exercise like the CVS could be an essential tool for helping individuals learn more about their values before making important career decisions. |