Middle School: Values Inventory - Career Center



MIDDLE SCHOOL

CLASSROOM READY CURRICULUM

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

A WORK VALUES INVENTORY

American School Counselor Association’s Domain:

Career Development

Standard A: Students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions.

Competency 1. Develop Career Awareness

Indicator c. Develop an awareness of personal abilities, skills, interests, and motivations

ACTIVITY: What’s Important?

TARGET GROUP: Middle School (end of 6th grade/beginning of 7th grade)

GOAL: Students will develop an awareness of their personal values and how these values correlate to career choices.

SUMMARY:

MATERIALS:

• Worksheet: What’s Important? A Work Values Inventory

• Instructor Notes

STRATEGIES:

• Introduction to the subject (see Instructor Notes, Section I).

• Administer the pre-test. (See Evaluation Tool below)

• Administer the work values assessment (see Instructor Notes, Section II).

• Allow students time to work.

• Explain the results (see Instructor Notes, Section III).

• Have the students share their reactions to the inventory: 1. What was it like to participate in this activity? 2. Do you feel the information from this work values inventory reflects you? Explain why or why not. 3. What did you learn new about yourself?

• Review what a work value is.

• Administer the post-test (see Evaluation Tool below).

• Closing statements (see Instructor Notes, Section IV).

ESTIMATED TIME: 1 class period

EVALUATION TOOL: Pre/Post Test

1. What is a work value?

2. Identify three of your work values.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

A WORK VALUES INVENTORY WORKSHEET

The following is a list of work values that can be satisfied in a work or job environment. Read each value and rate its degree of importance to you using the scale below. If you are unsure of the meaning of one of the work values, ask the instructor.

Very Somewhat Not

Value Important Important Important

______________________________________________________________________

Independence—doing projects by yourself (I) _____ _____ _____

Authority—make your own decisions (I) _____ _____ _____

Responsibility—able to determine what _____ _____ _____

you do and do it (A)

Prestige and respect—being recognized _____ _____ _____

for what you do (Rec)

Leadership—influencing others (Rec) _____ _____ _____

Good salary (WC) _____ _____ _____

Variety/different types of tasks (WC) _____ _____ _____

Helping others (Rel) _____ _____ _____

Working with people (Rel) _____ _____ _____

Good working conditions—comfortable _____ _____ _____

or pleasant surroundings

Security—keeping my job (WC) _____ _____ _____

Likeable co-workers (Rel) _____ _____ _____

Someone to help if needed (S) _____ _____ _____

Creativity—use on the job (I) _____ _____ _____

Opportunity to learn new things (WC) _____ _____ _____

Chance for promotion (Rec) _____ _____ _____

Boss who is fair (S) _____ _____ _____

Using special talents (A) _____ _____ _____

Feeling accomplished (A) _____ _____ _____

Supportive workplace—receiving help _____ _____ _____

when you ask for it (S)

Look at all the Xs in the “Very Important” column. Select three from this column and write them down:

____________________

____________________

____________________

WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMPLETING THE FOLLOWING

Place these three values in priority of importance, number 1 being the most important; add the letters after each value. List the work value needs that reflect each of your choices as the instructor reviews work values and work value needs.

*Work Values Category Key:

A) = Achievement

I) = Independence

(Rec) = Recognition

(Rel) = Relationships

(S) = Support

(WC) = Working Conditions

Number 1 Value:

___________________________________________________________________

Category that value is part of—letter(s) listed in the parenthesis* _____________

Work Value Needs

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Number 2 Value:

___________________________________________________________________

Category that value is part of—letter(s) listed in the parenthesis _____________

Work Value Needs

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Number 3 Value:

___________________________________________________________

Category that value is part of—letter(s) listed in the parenthesis _____________

Work Value Needs

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

MIDDLE SCHOOL

INSTRUCTOR NOTES FOR

WHAT’S IMPORTANT!

A WORK VALUES INVENTORY

I. Introduction to the subject:

Being happy and satisfied in a job increases when you are in a place where what you are doing (your interests) and what you consider important (your values) are well matched. This is another exercise that will assist you as you consider high school and life after. So, what is really important to you? What matters?

II. Values worksheet comments:

Pass out the values assessment and instruct the students to read the directions. Ask for questions; assist anyone who needs clarification regarding the meaning of one of the work-value terms.

III. Explanation of assessment results:

Ask the students to place the three values they have decided to be most important to them in priority order on the second page of the inventory. Then instruct them to add the “letters” from the category key at the bottom of the page after each value. You will now review the work needs that accompany each of their highest work values. Allow time for the students to take notes from your explanations.

Each work value comprises several work needs—specific things that relate to why this value is important to you.

• The Achievement work value involves the need to use your individual abilities and have a feeling of accomplishment. It also involves the need to experience the challenge of completing difficult tasks.

• The Independence work value refers to the need to do tasks on your own and use creativity in the workplace such as creating new ideas or programs as well as engaging in creative work through any art form. It also involves the need to get a job where you can make your own decisions.

• The Recognition work value involves the need to have the opportunity for advancement, obtain prestige such as being recognized publicly for the quality of your work, and have the potential for leadership.

• The Relationships work value includes the need for friendly co-workers, to be able to help others in a direct way, either individually or in groups, and not be forced to go against your sense of right and wrong.

• The Support work value involves the need for a supportive company, being comfortable with management's style of supervision, and having a competent, considerate, and fair boss.

• The Working Conditions work value refers to the need to have your pay comparable to others, have job security, and good working conditions. You also need to be busy all the time and have many different types of tasks on the job.

Now discuss the following questions from the lesson plan overview:

1. What was it like to participate in this activity?

2. Do you feel the information from this work values inventory reflects you? Explain why or why not.

3. What did you learn new about yourself?

IV. Closing statements:

This has been step in the process of exploring who you are. During the next activity you will be using the California CareerZone website to match your interests and values with careers and jobs where similar interests and values are reflected. To be ready for the next lesson, you need to record your top three work values in “Putting It All Together.” Do the following:

• Go to the California Career Center website’s homepage at

• Click on “Logon” and do so

• Click on “My Stuff”

• Click on “Student Activities”

• Find “Middle School Putting It All Together”

• In the section on “My Assessments” enter your three top work values under the title “My Work Values,” save it and log off

• If your students do not have internet access for this assignment, you can download the PDF version to use as a handout

V. COLLECTING RESULTS DATA:

Process Data: Number of students who participated in the lesson.

Perception Data: Pre/post test results determine the knowledge gained regarding being able to identify personal specific work values (short-term data).

*Adapted from California Career Resource Network, California Career Zone

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