How can you use the Career Anchors model for career development?

Your career anchor is all about your core values. To figure out what those are, think of it as the stuff that makes you happy, what you're good at, and what provides you with meaning and purpose. You can create a list of personal values that accompany work life or obtain those lists from online resources. Work through the list by assigning each value with a number, 1 to 4 1) Essential to me 2) Desirable but not essential 3) Neutral value - neither important nor unimportant 4) Not of value to me, can be avoided Identify all the 1s, as these are the values that are most significant to you in your career.

Schein's Career Anchors are like the guiding stars in your professional life. They are based on your core values and motivations, and they help you make decisions about your career 1. Technical Competence: Thriving as an expert, like a coder. 2. Managerial Competence: Enjoying overseeing people and processes. 3. Independence: Valuing freedom, like a freelance writer. 4. Stability: Preferring steady, secure jobs, like government roles. 5. Entrepreneur Creativity: Loving creation and risk-taking, like starting a business. 6. Dedication to a Cause: Wanting to contribute to a cause, like working for a non-profit. 7. Pure Challenge: Enjoying overcoming tough challenges. 8. Lifestyle: Prioritizing work-life balance, like remote working.

To determine your career path, you can create a list of tables and note down the functions or industries you have worked in before. After that, identify the ones that interest you the most and align your core values with them. Then, start gathering as much information as possible about the roles and companies in each function and industry that correspond to your values. This will help you better understand your options and make an informed decision about your future career.

The process of understanding ourselves can be challenging, as it requires self-awareness and a deep understanding of who we truly are. However, there is no right or wrong answer, and even our values can change over time. Our priorities and preferences may shift as well, which is why it's important to revisit this exercise every two to five years to ensure that our current path aligns with our current selves.

While the career anchors model offers valuable insights into motivations, we must be cautious not to overly simplify the complexity of career trajectories. Anchors are not static, and as we gain life experience our priorities reshape. Rather than locking in preferences too early, it is wise to start with a growth mindset focused on developing breadth of skills. This landscape approach grounds us in real options and possibilities. With an openness to explore diverse roles, we give space for passions to emerge organically. Purpose and fulfillment come from making meaningful impact over the long arc of life’s work. There are many paths to this end.

Reflect on past jobs and projects. What did you enjoy or dread? Write these down. Analyze your proudest achievements, both professional and personal. What do they reveal about your interests and motivations? Consider challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. What did they teach you about your strengths and weaknesses? Identify what motivates you daily and excites you about work. Determine your job non-negotiables, such as a flexible schedule, supportive team, or meaningful work. Take a Career Anchors assessment online to identify your anchors, using it as a tool alongside your self-reflection. Rate each 1(Essential) needed; 2(Desirable) good but not needed; 3(Neutral) not needed or unsure; 4(No Value) don't matter or not needed.