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Written by Katie Boushall
Reviewed by Daniel Gonzalez
Early in their careers, students and young professionals often want to know exactly how their future will unfold. While this desire for certainty is understandable, it’s not realistic.
Instead of seeking definite answers, young professionals can focus on building the skills that will help them navigate uncertainty. One essential skill is making decisions that align with their values.
At work and in life, decisions are constant. By strengthening their decision-making skills, young professionals can take meaningful steps toward what matters most to them. This creates a sense of fulfillment, even when the future remains uncertain.
When people don’t consider their decisions carefully, they can fall into reactive patterns—acting out of habit rather than responding to their current situation. This disconnect can lead to choices that don’t reflect reality, resulting in unintended consequences. After all, if someone makes a decision without considering the present circumstances, it’s unlikely to lead to a meaningful or effective outcome.
Helping students and young professionals develop strong decision-making skills allows them to make choices based on their current experience, environment, and values. By taking action with these factors in mind, they can navigate uncertainty with greater clarity. This approach fosters mental flexibility, helping them adapt to change and stay engaged with their surroundings. As a result, they can experience greater satisfaction and effectiveness—even when the future feels uncertain.
As young professionals face choices in their careers, their values act as a guide, helping them navigate challenges, relationships, and opportunities. According to therapist and ACT educator, Russ Harris, values represent an individual’s deepest aspirations about how they want to live and work. For students and young professionals, understanding their values can:
When universities and companies help young professionals clarify their values, they provide tools and direction. These tools help young professionals take meaningful actions that shape their careers. Decision-making skills also allow them to fully engage in their work and contribute effectively to their employers.
New graduates often leave university with strong academic knowledge but lack the skills to adapt to a fast-changing workplace. This gap makes it harder for universities to show the value of their education and for companies to help young professionals integrate smoothly and contribute effectively.
Teaching students and young professionals to define and act on their values addresses this gap. Values-based decision-making prepares them to:
For universities, integrating values-based learning into career preparation programs helps students apply their education to real-world, ever-changing environments. This approach gives them greater clarity and direction as they transition from school to the workplace, reinforcing the value of their degree.
For companies, teaching values-based decision-making helps young professionals adapt more smoothly to their new roles. Starting a job comes with uncertainty—many wonder, Will I succeed? or Will my colleagues like me? While these thoughts are normal, dwelling on them can make the transition more challenging. This uncertainty can be eased by strengthening decision-making skills, allowing young professionals to navigate this phase with greater clarity and ease.
Students and young professionals face a pivotal transition, full of opportunities and challenges. By helping young professionals develop values-based decision-making skills, universities and companies can equip them to feel more fulfilled, stay engaged, and adapt to new environments.
Helping graduates move from academia to the professional world isn’t just about transferring knowledge; it’s about building their ability to navigate change. Values-based decision-making allows individuals to align their actions with what matters most to them. By focusing on their values, young professionals can shift their attention away from doubt and uncertainty and instead concentrate on developing skills in their new work environment. This approach helps them engage and adapt, benefiting not only the professionals but also educational institutions and companies.
Harris, R. (2010). A Quick Look At Your Values. ACT Mindfully.
Harris, R. (2022). The Choice Point. In The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living (pp. 12–13). book, Shambhala Publications, Inc.
