Designing a Career That Aligns with Who You Are: The Value-Based Career Design Framework
College is a time to explore—but without direction, it can be overwhelming. This framework helps you identify your core values and align them with your goals, so you can make intentional, meaningful decisions about your major, internships, and career path.
Before choosing a major, committing to an internship, or charting a long-term career plan, it’s essential to understand what drives you. Not just what you're good at, or what others expect of you—but what motivates you on a deeper level. This is where values come in.
The Value-Based Career Design Framework is a structured yet personal reflection tool designed to help you identify and prioritize the values that matter most to you. Think of it like calibrating your internal compass. Whether you value creativity, community impact, autonomy, or financial stability, recognizing those priorities early empowers you to make academic, professional, and life decisions that feel not just strategic—but meaningful.
By working through this exercise, you’ll develop more than a list of nice-sounding words—you’ll gain a framework for filtering your decisions, understanding your non-negotiables, and staying grounded in a world full of noise. Values don't give you a map with all the answers, but they do help you figure out which direction feels like home.
Step 1: Identify Your Top 10 Values
Start by reviewing the list of values below. Select the 10 values that resonate most with you. These should reflect what you find important in your life, education, and future vision.
Tip: Don’t overanalyze. Go with your instincts. What immediately feels meaningful?
✔️ Value List
Each value includes a short explanation to help you reflect meaningfully during your selection process:
| Personal Growth | Creativity and Innovation | Self-Love | Recognition |
| Safety and Security | Rituals and Traditions | Accountability | Financial Well-being |
| Autonomy | Inspiration | Sustainability | Leadership |
| Helping Others | Knowledge and Learning | Strength and Resilience | Inner Peace |
| Gratitude | Flexibility and Adaptability | Diversity and Inclusion | Faith and Belief |
| Empathy | Expertise | Collaboration | Resourcefulness |
| Vulnerability | Efficiency | Decisiveness | Global Awareness |
| Stability | Competence | Rest and Wellness | Humor |
| Mindfulness | Productivity | Truth | Grace |
| Intuition | Excellence | Meaningful Work | Healthy Boundaries |
| Beauty and Aesthetics | Rationality | Active Listening | Courage |
| Democracy and Voice | Family and Connections | Humility | Self-Control |
| Excitement | Purpose and Meaning | Balance | Travel and Exploration |
| Privacy | Variety | Laughter and Joy | Freedom |
| Patience | Entrepreneurship | Nature and Environment | Challenges and Growth |
| Wonder and Curiosity | Respect | Loyalty | Love and Relationships |
Step 2: Narrow Down to Your Top 5 Values
From your selected 10, identify the 5 values that feel absolutely essential to your happiness and success.
Ask yourself: “Which values could I not imagine living or working without?”
Step 3: Identify Your Top 3 Non-Negotiables
Now choose the 3 values that are non-negotiable in your life. These values form the foundation of your decision-making—both personally and professionally.
Reflect: How have these values influenced past decisions? How might they shape your future?
Step 4: Select Your #1 Guiding Value
From your top three, select the one value that stands out as your ultimate guiding principle. This is the value you’ll return to when making difficult choices.
Note: Your values may evolve over time. This is simply your top priority right now.
Step 5: Align Your Values with Potential Career Paths
Now consider how your values align with different fields, industries, or roles. If you’re already interested in a certain field (e.g., Environmental Science, Finance, Public Health), ask yourself:
- Does this field allow me to express or honor my core values?
- Where might there be tension between my values and this career path?
- Can I adapt the path—or my role within it—to better match my values?
This step bridges the gap between self-awareness and action.
Reflection Questions
Use the prompts below to deepen your understanding and turn your insights into actionable strategies:
- How do these values influence your current decisions?
- In what ways do these values align with your future goals?
- Are there any areas where your values and goals might conflict?
- How can you use these values to guide your choices throughout college?
- How might these values evolve over time?
Pro Tip: Write your responses in a journal, Google Doc, or personal career portfolio. Making your reflection visible strengthens your awareness and accountability.
🖨️ Download the Printable PDF Version
Want to take this reflection offline? I’ve created a beautifully formatted, print-ready PDF that includes:
- A full explanation of the Value-Based Career Design Framework
- Step-by-step reflection prompts
- A polished value descriptions table
- A checklist of 60+ core values
- Writing space for exercises and journaling
Whether you want to mark it up by hand, bring it to a coaching session, or post it above your desk, this worksheet is designed to help you stay grounded in what matters most.
Take your time, be honest with yourself, and remember—your values are your compass.
