Values, Interests, Skills (VIS)
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Values
What did I like most or least about the past experiences (e.g. part-time jobs, volunteer work, student organization positions) that I have had?
What makes my life and work meaningful and purposeful?
Where have I found inspiration in the past?
Whose work do I admire? Why?
Interests
Which classes am I most interested in engaging with?
What are the common themes in the clubs/organizations I am a part of?
When I’m online, talking with friends, or reading for pleasure, which topics catch my attention?
Which types of news stories cause me to ask more questions based on my intellectual curiosity?
Skills
Which courses do I have a natural knack for understanding the material?
Where have I found success that speaks to my authentic self?
What do my friends/family members say I do well?
Choose Your Top 5 Values, Interests, and Skills
In addition to the items listed, feel free to input additional values, interests, and skills not listed.
Values
Advancement/Achievement
Adventure and Taking Risks
Autonomy
Community
Creative Expression
Diversity
Environmental Conservation and Sustainability
Family
Helping Others
Honesty and Integrity
Influencing Others
Leadership
Learning and Education
Making a Difference
Moral Fulfillment
Power
Money
Partnering with Others
Personal/Professional Life Balance
Prestige
Service to Others
Social Interaction
Traveling and Cultural Exchange of Ideas
Variety of Tasks
Working Alone
Interests
Advising Others
Business-related endeavors
Community Service
Creative Production
Cultural Experiences
Developing Interpersonal Relationships
Entrepreneurship
Environmental Conservation/Sustainability
Event Management
Fashion/Magazines
Healthy Living
Law and Legal Practices
Literature
Media Participation
Musical Performance
Organizing and Planning
Political Participation
Programming
Project Management
Research
Role Playing
Science
Sports
Teaching
Writing and Editing
Skills
Budgeting & managing finances
Quantitative
Synthesizing
Interpreting data
Assembling
Mechanical abilities
Programming
Researching
Reasoning
Repairing
Analyzing
Advising
Providing constructive feedback
Editing
Persuasive Speaking
Interpersonal communication
Public Speaking
Explaining concepts
Facilitating discussions
Languages/translating
Negotiating
Listening
Mediating
Writing
Teaching/training
Coaching
Directing
Making decisions
Delegating
Influencing
Dealing with Pressure
Comfort with ambiguity
Strategizing
Mentoring
Team building
Motivating others
Problem solving
Adapting to change
Coordinating and arranging events
Planning and organizing
Implementing
Expediting
Improvising
Photography
Performing
Drawing/Sketching
Visualizing
Conceptualizing
Designing
Connecting Your VIS to Sectors and Industries
Yale’s Office of Career Strategy advises students to think about their career choices in terms of Function, Industry, and Sector.
First, consider Function as it is the most important element, as this is the actual job. What will you work on day to day?
This is an important distinction because the Function/Job is what will be transferable throughout a career.
Second, consider the Industry. In which Industry do you want to do this function/job?
For example, you may be interested in marketing and want to use those skills in the Technology Industry.
Third, consider the Sector. Do you want to do that work at a for-profit company, non-profit organization, or government entity?
For example, perhaps you are a computer programmer who wants to work for a mission-driven non-profit organization.
This exercise helps students think through these distinctions and start to develop a target list of possible jobs and organizations.
Step 1: Use the below Function list to identify a function/job in which you are interested.
Hint: This part pulls from your skills, what are you qualified to do for work?
Step 2: Next, think about the Industry and Sector where you want to hold that job.
Hint: This part pulls from your interests and values, how and where do you want to use your skills?
Step 3: Identify specific jobs and organizations that align.
Examples
Function: Software Development/Programming (I have strong programming skills)
Industry: Technology (I’m interested in the innovative culture of the Technology industry)
Sector: For-Profit (I have an interest in how technology is built and marketed globally)
Targeted Position and Company/Organization: Software Engineer at Google
Function: Writing/Editing (I’m a strong writer and enjoy editing other writer’s work)
Industry: Healthcare (I’m interested in using my skills to share knowledge about Healthcare trends)
Sector: Non-Profit or Government/NGO (I want to work for a mission-driven organization)
Targeted Position and Company/Organization: Technical Healthcare Writer at the World Health Organization
Scenario 1
Job Function
Accounting/Auditing
Administrative/Support Services
Advertising/Public Relations
Architecture
Broadcasting
Business Development
Consulting
Engineering
Film Production
Finance
Fundraising/Development
Graphic Design
Health Services/Healthcare
Human Resources/Recruiting
IT Technical Support
Laboratory Research
Law
Library Science
Marketing/Product Management
Ministry
Operations/General Management
Outdoor Education
Performance – Dance/Music/Theater
Programming/Software Development
Project Management
Sales
Sustainability/Social Responsibility
Teaching/Curriculum Development
Writing/Editing
Industry
Architecture/Design/Urban Planning
Communications/Marketing/Advertising/PR
Community Organizations Advocacy/Social Services
Consulting
Consumer Products/Retail
Education (including University research positions)
Energy/Oil and Gas/Power
Engineering
Entertainment/Film/Television
Environment
Finance/Insurance/Real Estate
Fine & Visual Arts
Food Systems
Foundations
Government (including local, state, federal, and military service)
Healthcare/Medical/Pharmaceutical
Hospitality
Industrial/Manufacturing
International Development
Law/Legal Services
Political Campaigns
Professional Sports
Publishing/Media/Journalism
Religious Institution
Social Enterprise/Economic Development
Technology
Theatre & Performing Arts
Think Tank
Sector
For-Profit Corporation/Company
Government or Other Public Institution (including public schools and universities)
Non-Profit Organization, Institute, or NGO (e.g., arts, human services, private universities)
Targeted Position and Company/Organization
Scenario 2
Job Function
Accounting/Auditing
Administrative/Support Services
Advertising/Public Relations
Architecture
Broadcasting
Business Development
Consulting
Engineering
Film Production
Finance
Fundraising/Development
Graphic Design
Health Services/Healthcare
Human Resources/Recruiting
IT Technical Support
Laboratory Research
Law
Library Science
Marketing/Product Management
Ministry
Operations/General Management
Outdoor Education
Performance – Dance/Music/Theater
Programming/Software Development
Project Management
Sales
Sustainability/Social Responsibility
Teaching/Curriculum Development
Writing/Editing
Industry
Architecture/Design/Urban Planning
Communications/Marketing/Advertising/PR
Community Organizations Advocacy/Social Services
Consulting
Consumer Products/Retail
Education (including University research positions)
Energy/Oil and Gas/Power
Engineering
Entertainment/Film/Television
Environment
Finance/Insurance/Real Estate
Fine & Visual Arts
Food Systems
Foundations
Government (including local, state, federal, and military service)
Healthcare/Medical/Pharmaceutical
Hospitality
Industrial/Manufacturing
International Development
Law/Legal Services
Political Campaigns
Professional Sports
Publishing/Media/Journalism
Religious Institution
Social Enterprise/Economic Development
Technology
Theatre & Performing Arts
Think Tank
Sector
For-Profit Corporation/Company
Government or Other Public Institution (including public schools and universities)
Non-Profit Organization, Institute, or NGO (e.g., arts, human services, private universities)
Targeted Position and Company/Organization
Scenario 3
Job Function
Accounting/Auditing
Administrative/Support Services
Advertising/Public Relations
Architecture
Broadcasting
Business Development
Consulting
Engineering
Film Production
Finance
Fundraising/Development
Graphic Design
Health Services/Healthcare
Human Resources/Recruiting
IT Technical Support
Laboratory Research
Law
Library Science
Marketing/Product Management
Ministry
Operations/General Management
Outdoor Education
Performance – Dance/Music/Theater
Programming/Software Development
Project Management
Sales
Sustainability/Social Responsibility
Teaching/Curriculum Development
Writing/Editing
Industry
Architecture/Design/Urban Planning
Communications/Marketing/Advertising/PR
Community Organizations Advocacy/Social Services
Consulting
Consumer Products/Retail
Education (including University research positions)
Energy/Oil and Gas/Power
Engineering
Entertainment/Film/Television
Environment
Finance/Insurance/Real Estate
Fine & Visual Arts
Food Systems
Foundations
Government (including local, state, federal, and military service)
Healthcare/Medical/Pharmaceutical
Hospitality
Industrial/Manufacturing
International Development
Law/Legal Services
Political Campaigns
Professional Sports
Publishing/Media/Journalism
Religious Institution
Social Enterprise/Economic Development
Technology
Theatre & Performing Arts
Think Tank
Sector
For-Profit Corporation/Company
Government or Other Public Institution (including public schools and universities)
Non-Profit Organization, Institute, or NGO (e.g., arts, human services, private universities)
Targeted Position and Company/Organization
Print
Values
What did I like most or least about the past experiences (e.g. part-time jobs, volunteer work, student organization positions) that I have had?
What makes my life and work meaningful and purposeful?
Where have I found inspiration in the past?
Whose work do I admire? Why?
Interests
Which classes am I most interested in engaging with?
What are the common themes in the clubs/organizations I am a part of?
When I’m online, talking with friends, or reading for pleasure, which topics catch my attention?
Which types of news stories cause me to ask more questions based on my intellectual curiosity?
Skills
Which courses do I have a natural knack for understanding the material?
Where have I found success that speaks to my authentic self?
What do my friends/family members say I do well?
Your Top 5 Values, Interests, and Skills
Values
Interests
Skills
Connecting Your VIS to Sectors and Industries
Scenario 1
Job Function
Industry
Sector
Targeted Position and Company/Organization
Scenario 2
Job Function
Industry
Sector
Targeted Position and Company/Organization
Scenario 3
Job Function
Industry
Sector
Targeted Position and Company/Organization