Using your lifeview and workview

Julio grew up in a large city with his parents, two sisters, and abuelo. His parents both worked and they always were able to make sure food was on the table and all the necessities were covered. Julio appreciated everything his parents did for him and their family, however he always wanted a little more. Style and fashion were important to him, and he always loved looking at designer clothing and nice jewelry. Growing up, he knew that it was important for him to look good so that he could feel good. Once he graduated high school, he considered his options for next steps in life – would he go to college? Community college? Trade school? He wasn’t sure, but he knew that it was most important for him to get a job that led to making money.

When Julio wrote his workview, he realized that money was most important to him. He decided that he didn’t really care about being famous or powerful, but really just cared about the paycheck at the end of the day. He also realized that he didn’t care if he liked the job or not. He was resilient and could tolerate pretty much anything in order to get paid. He was fine with both physical labor or more academic pursuits – it didn’t matter. Julio didn’t care if the job was aligned with his culture, politics, values – he just wanted to be paid well.

When considering his lifeview, Julio noticed that his religion motivated him to leave a positive impact on those around him. And, because of his upbringing, he knew that he needed to take care of his parents if they grew sick. This lifeview aligned with his worldview: he needed to save enough money to take care of his family if needed.

These considerations pushed Julio to do research on high-paying jobs – how could he achieve this goal? Were there any trades that would allow him to make money? Or, was he better off going to college to gain more academic skills? He was able to use money and finances to guide his decisions, and not let the day-to-day aspects of the job get in the way of his decisions.

Sara grew up in a small town surrounded by a close-knit community. She was raised by her single dad, and he instilled in her the values of compassion and service from a young age. With a younger brother to care for and community events to participate in, Sara learned the importance of helping others early in life. As Sara approached the end of her high school years, she faced a crossroads. College? A gap year? Volunteering? One thing was clear: her career needed to be about more than just earning a living. It had to be a pathway to make a real difference.

Writing her workview was an introspective journey for Sara. She realized that her fulfillment didn’t lie in monetary gain or personal accolades. Instead, it stemmed from her deep desire to help people and make a lasting impact. This realization shaped her career aspirations. She wasn’t looking for a job; she was seeking a calling.

In her lifeview, Sara reflected on her upbringing and the community that molded her. She recognized her privilege in having a supportive family and a nurturing environment. This acknowledgment deepened her commitment to giving back, especially to those less fortunate. Her faith and upbringing underscored the importance of empathy and service, aligning perfectly with her worldview: to make the world a better place, one person at a time.

This clarity guided Sara’s exploration into careers. She looked at fields like social work, education, healthcare, and non-profit management. Each of these paths offered the potential to touch lives and enact change. She weighed her options, considering where she could make the most significant impact while staying true to her values.

Rahul grew up in small town. His family, though not academically inclined, always encouraged his insatiable curiosity. From a young age, Rahul found himself mesmerized by stories of the past. His bookshelves were stacked with history books, and he could often be found lost in the pages, traveling through time and space. History allowed him to explore without ever leaving his hometown.

Rahul decided to try out college, and he was the first in his family to go. Unsurprisingly to Rahul and his family, Rahul’s passion for history only deepened. He thrived in history classes, eagerly engaging in discussions about the monumental impacts of historical events and decisions. He loved analyzing how the past shaped the present and speculated about its influence on the future.

As graduation loomed, Rahul faced the daunting task of deciding his career path. Writing his workview was an enlightening process for Rahul. It became clear that his job needed to involve history in some capacity. He realized he was only ever motivated to do well in classes when he enjoyed the content of what he was doing. He knew this would translate to work: if he didn’t enjoy the day-to-day tasks of his job, he would be miserable. He also knew that he wanted to make money so that he was comfortable, and his job had to align with his values of giving back to the community. He also knew work had to involve his love for history. It became clear that his job needed to involve history in some capacity. He wasn’t just interested in learning about history; he wanted to share his passion with others. He envisioned a career where he could explore, discuss, and teach history, making it accessible and engaging for everyone.

Rahul’s lifeview was more broad. He wanted to find love and raise a family. He knew he wanted to enjoy history, traveling, and culture with the people he loved, too. He saw history as a tool to understand different cultures and perspectives, fostering empathy and unity. This belief mirrored his worldview that education and understanding of history were vital for societal progress.

With these reflections in mind, Rahul explored career options. He considered becoming a history professor, a museum curator, a historical consultant for media, or even an author of historical books. Each option offered him a unique way to delve into history and share it with the world.