In the article “What Are Your Values? Deciding What’s Important in Life” by Jonathan Hancock, it is underlined that “your values are the things that you believe are important in the way you live and work” (Hancock). This statement highlights how values serve as the foundation for our decisions and behaviors, acting as a compass to guide us through life’s complexities. As Hancock notes, identifying and prioritizing these values can ensure that our actions align with our sense of purpose and integrity (Hancock).

This article resonates deeply with my own experiences. I have often found that my values of hard work, empathy, and family-orientedness shape the decisions I make, both in personal and academic contexts. For example, when choosing to pursue a career in finance, I realized that these values aligned with the profession’s demand for ethical standards, dedication, and care for others. Hancock’s idea to consider moments of pride and fulfillment as a starting point in identifying core values led me to reflect on my accomplishments so far, especially through internships.

The article also allows for comparisons to larger social contexts. For example, the value of work-life balance, which is a shifting value according to Hancock, indicates the shift in societal values toward greater consideration for people’s mental health and well-being than for success defined solely in material terms. Other cultures or industries still consider competition and long hours more important than balance. This also reflects how values develop both at the personal level and across societies.