Values & Interests Explorer Journal

This journal is your personal space to discover what truly matters to you and what excites your mind and spirit. Understanding these things is the first step in finding a career path that you'll love.

Part 1: My Core Values

Values are the beliefs and principles that guide your life. They influence your decisions, your happiness, and what you find meaningful.

What are values that are most important to you?

Think about what truly matters to you in life, work, and relationships. Consider things like helping others, creativity, financial stability, learning, independence, community, challenge, or security. List 5-7 core values.

Why are these values important to you?

For each value you listed above, briefly explain why it is important to you. How does it make you feel? What role does it play in your life?

Part 2: My Passions & Interests

Interests are the activities, subjects, or topics that you enjoy or find fascinating. These are the things that you could spend hours doing or learning about without getting bored.

What activities do you love doing?

Think about your hobbies, favorite school subjects, sports, clubs, volunteer work, or even things you do online. What do you enjoy spending your time on?

What topics or subjects do you find fascinating?

Beyond activities, what subjects, ideas, or problems capture your attention? What do you like to read about, watch documentaries on, or discuss with others?

Career Compass Map

Now that you've explored your personal values and interests, let's start connecting them to the vast world of careers! This map will help you see potential paths that align with who you are.

Part 1: My Top Values & Interests

Look back at your Values & Interests Explorer Journal and pick out your top 3 values and top 3 interests. These are the strongest signals for your career compass.

My Top 3 Values:

My Top 3 Interests:

Part 2: Brainstorming Career Fields

For each of your top values and interests, brainstorm 2-3 career fields or types of work that you think might align. Don't worry about being perfect; just think broadly!

Connecting My Values to Careers:

• Value 1:
  
  
  
  • Potential Career Fields:
    
    
    
    
    
    
• Value 2:
  
  
  
  • Potential Career Fields:
    
    
    
    
    
    
• Value 3:
  
  
  
  • Potential Career Fields:
    
    
    
    
    
    

Connecting My Interests to Careers:

• Interest 1:
  
  
  
  • Potential Career Fields:
    
    
    
    
    
    
• Interest 2:
  
  
  
  • Potential Career Fields:
    
    
    
    
    
    
• Interest 3:
  
  
  
  • Potential Career Fields:
    
    
    
    
    
    

Part 3: My Initial Career Compass Readings

Based on your brainstorming, are there any career fields or types of work that appeared multiple times or that sound particularly exciting to you? List 1-3 possibilities that you'd like to explore further.

1. 
   
   
   
2. 
   
   
   
3. 
   
   
   
   
   
   ### Reflection:

What did you learn about yourself today that surprised you, or that you found particularly interesting?

Values & Interests Idea Bank

This list is here to spark your ideas! When you're thinking about your values and interests, don't feel limited to these, but use them as a springboard to discover what truly resonates with you.

Core Values: What Matters Most to You?

Values are your guiding principles – what you believe is important in life. Which of these resonate with you? Are there others you can add?

• Achievement: Getting things done, succeeding, making an impact.
• Adventure: Seeking new experiences, taking risks, exploring.
• Autonomy/Independence: Being self-directed, making your own choices, having freedom.
• Balance: Having time for work, family, and personal life.
• Challenge: Facing difficult tasks, solving complex problems, pushing your limits.
• Community: Belonging, working with others, contributing to a group.
• Creativity: Expressing original ideas, innovating, designing.
• Curiosity/Learning: Gaining knowledge, understanding new things, continuous growth.
• Family: Spending time with and supporting loved ones.
• Financial Security: Having enough money to live comfortably, being stable.
• Friendship: Building strong connections with friends.
• Health: Being physically and mentally well.
• Helping Others: Making a positive difference in people's lives.
• Integrity: Being honest, ethical, and trustworthy.
• Justice: Fairness, equality, standing up for what's right.
• Leadership: Guiding and motivating others, taking initiative.
• Nature: Connecting with the outdoors, protecting the environment.
• Personal Growth: Developing new skills, improving yourself.
• Recognition: Being appreciated, getting credit for your efforts.
• Respect: Being treated with dignity, treating others with dignity.
• Security: Feeling safe and stable.
• Spirituality: Connecting with your inner self, faith, or purpose.
• Variety: Having diverse experiences, avoiding routine.

Passions & Interests: What Do You Love to Do or Learn About?

Interests are the things that capture your attention and make you feel excited or engaged. What activities or subjects naturally draw you in?

• Arts & Crafts: Drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery, digital art, photography.
• Building & Fixing: Woodworking, LEGOs, mechanics, electronics, DIY projects.
• Computers & Technology: Gaming, coding, website design, animation, robotics, social media.
• Creative Writing: Stories, poems, scripts, journaling, blogging.
• Current Events/Politics: Staying informed, discussing world issues.
• Debate & Public Speaking: Arguing points, presenting ideas, persuading others.
• Drama/Theater: Acting, directing, stagecraft, watching plays.
• Environmental Issues: Recycling, conservation, sustainability.
• Exploring: Hiking, travel, discovering new places.
• Fashion & Design: Clothes, styling, interior design, graphic design.
• Film & Video: Watching movies, making videos, animation.
• Fitness & Sports: Playing sports, working out, dancing, yoga.
• Food & Cooking: Baking, cooking, trying new foods, nutrition.
• History: Learning about the past, historical events, different cultures.
• Languages: Learning new languages, communicating with people from other cultures.
• Music: Playing instruments, singing, listening to different genres, composing.
• Nature & Animals: Pet care, zoology, biology, gardening, outdoor activities.
• Numbers & Math: Puzzles, logic games, statistics, finance.
• Organizing: Planning events, tidying spaces, managing projects.
• Problem Solving: Puzzles, riddles, strategy games, critical thinking.
• Reading: Novels, non-fiction, comics, magazines.
• Science: Experiments, biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy.
• Social Justice: Advocating for fairness, understanding different perspectives.
• Teaching/Mentoring: Explaining things to others, helping them learn.
• Volunteering: Helping out in your community, supporting causes you care about.