Your Values - Are They Your North Star?

3 recent Hokie grads: Sydney, Rebecca and Maggie

One series of events that we can count on to occur every May and June are college and high school graduations. Most graduation ceremonies include a speech made by a celebrity or school connection like the one Eric Schmidt, Google Executive, gave at the Virginia Tech May 2015 graduation. He tied words from Metallica into his speech…appropriate wisdom for Hokies who hear Enter Sandman to get us pumped up at athletic events, especially when our football team runs on the field. 

Recently, I saw an article sharing favorite parts from several 2015 graduation speeches, including one given by Tim Cook, Apple CEO, at George Washington University.

“Graduates, your values matter. They are your North Star. Work takes on new meaning when you feel you're pointed in the right direction. Otherwise, it's just a job. And life is too short for that. We need the best and brightest of your generation to lead. There's opportunity to do work that's infused with moral purpose. You don’t have to choose between doing good and doing well."

Tim Cook’s quote stuck with me. Values do matter so much. They are a critical reference point as you start on the next phase of your career journey. Values are one of the key areas we point a student to explore if figuring out majors or career directions. I really like the metaphor of the North Star. How long has that constellation been a guide for explorers? For runaway slaves in the US who used the North Star as a guide to "follow the drinking gourd?" And, for lost outdoor enthusiasts when without some other directional device like a compass or a GPS? Values can be your North Star as you determine your career or major. 

As you choose a career, why are values important? Many of us spend most of the hours we are awake at work. If your work doesn't fit your values, you probably won't be happy. How do I know this? My own experience. As I began the journey to my career, I worked in various roles in banks. Although I never took an assessment at my college career center, I knew my top value was a passion for helping others. I tried to convince myself as I made loans or helped a customer figure out the mess that was their overdrawn checking account, that my key value was being met. But it wasn't...it was happening in a way that was too shallow to suit me.

So, I went back to school, got my MBA, and then directed marketing and PR for a hospital for almost four years. Again, I tried to convince myself that I was helping people through events or promotion that I created and implemented for the hospital, but that still wasn't enough. Finally, I found my place in higher education where I directly help students through teaching and advising. My career journey took several twists and turns, but I eventually found the right fit for my key value.

How about you? Unsure what your key values are? We use a number of different tools to help students get in touch with their values. We can assist you by pointing you to complete a quick inventory, do a values card sort or take an assessment, MyPlan, that addresses values as well as skills, personality type and interests.

One values activity I used with our career decision making class in the past was the "My House" values exercise which I learned about from an academic support program the VT Student Success Center used to run. It's a fun activity to get a bit creative as you consider your values, so take out a blank piece of paper or use a blank computer screen and get started:

If you feel like you want to talk more about your values as you plan your next career move, one of our career advisors can assist you. To get started with your self-exploration, give us a call to make a phone appointment or meet in person: 540-231-6241.

A final thought comes from a quote by William Shakespeare, "To thine own self be true." May your North Star be your guide as you pursue the next steps in your career journey.