OGL 482 Pro-Seminar II Discussion Topic 5

Career and Life Orientation Index and Purpose & Mission Statement

Prompt 1 / 2 Set-Up:

Prior to attempting Prompt 1 / Prompt 2 of this discussion topic, be sure you have read all of
the assigned readings for the week and viewed the summary slides under the Lectures /
Presentations link. Also review the instructions for the “Career and Life Orientation Index”
(pages 99-101 in your textbook).

The Career and Life Orientation Index is intended to tell you how “protean” you are (vs.
Organizational) in the way you look at your career. It will also tell you what “anchor” you cling
to—that is, what is the thing you hold dearest in managing your career? This could include:

1. Self direction: you being in charge

2. Organizational orientation: identifying with and playing out your career with a
particular organization

3. Values expression: having the opportunity to let your values drive your career goals

4. Whole-life balance: a focus on the whole person is important

5. Family focus: driving force is time with family

6. Community involvement: driving force is giving to the community

Prompt 1: Follow the instructions for the “Career and Life Orientation Index” in your textbook.
What was your average score – and what category (from “highly organizational” to “highly
protean”) did you fall into? Based on what you have read about the organizational versus
protean career models (review Chapter 1 / Our Career and Work-Life Model / page 11), do you
feel that the instrument accurately captured your orientation? Why or why not? Please provide
an example or two from your own life.

Average score: 3.7, Moderately Protean

I feel that being labeled “moderately protean” accurately captures my attitude towards

my career. With Protean being based on individualism, freedom, and psychological success this

alone captures who I am as a person (Harrington & Hall, 2007, p. 11). However, the

organizational aspects such as low mobility, organizational commitment, and organizational

authority describe my attitude towards my career (Harrington & Hall, 2007, p. 11). I feel I am
balanced in between the two with respect for my organization and being lead by their rules and

goals, but also valuing my individual authority and focus on happiness in my personal life. I am

definitely not driven by climbing the ladder in my career, although there is an element of drive

and leadership in my work ethic. Mostly my goals in my career are to be satisfied and

passionate about my work, have aligned values, and a healthy work/life balance where I can

still focus on my family.

Overall, I do feel that I am more in charge of my career success depending on the

choices I make and the effort I put in. I do not feel that I am constrained in my career by the

organization I specifically work for right now. I think it is a common Millennial mentality to want

to be in charge of our career. While some see this as Millennials considering themselves to eb

entitled career independence, I think it comes from a place of determination to be happy in our

work and our personal lives and contributes massively to entrepreneurship, start-ups, our

economy, and living the American dream. I do see myself as the judge of my own success,

however when I work for an organization I do find myself both identifying with the organization

and the organization becoming a part of my identity. I think this is why I generated a moderate

score on the assessment.

Prompt 2: As you review the hypothesized career and life facets, (self direction /
organizational orientation / values expression / whole-life balance / family focus / community
involvement), comment on your scores / priorities there. Which of these are most important to
you? Which are least important to you? What implications does this have on your career
choices? (Make some connections to your self-assessments).

My highest score was a 4.2 in the “Whole Life Balance” category. I am a very adamant

advocate of having a work/life balance. There is too much to enjoy in life for my career to be

invading time with my husband and my family. I want to enjoy my work, but not have it take

over my life.
 My second highest score was a 4 in the “Family Focus” category. While I don’t have

children, I consider my husband to be my most immediate family and I place a heavy emphasis

on being able to spend time with him. The next most important family to me is actual

immediate family. Being able to visit my family in Texas has a huge impact on every decision I

make…especially my career. So, it is not surprising to me that this was my second highest

priority.

My lowest score was a 1.8 in the “Organizational Orientation” category. While I love the

company I work for right now, and I would love to stay with them, if I cannot find a position

that offers me what I want out of a career, I will not stay with them. I think this is why I scored

so low in org. orientation. I do not feel personally committed to any organization.

Prompt 3: Please provide your own Personal Purpose Statement and Mission Statement here.

Also, please reflect on the process you used to develop your purpose and mission statements.
Explain what you learned from the mission statement development process and any approach,
strategy, or tool(s) specifically, that helped you craft your own statement.

Personal Purpose Statement:

When developing my personal purpose statement, I reflected on what was said in the

powerpoint: ”A core purpose should capture the essence of your soul,” and “think about your

purpose for living your life the way you choose to live it”. I considered what appealed to my

soul and what drives me in life. I made a list that examined my drive, and who I am at the core

of my being.

My Personal Purpose Statement:

To encourage others, give love, and to enjoy everything.

Mission Statement:
 To build my mission statement, I started by reading through all of our class material. I

then looked up some examples of other mission statements and even read through some of our

classmates. I then reflected on the thought that a mission statement “elaborates on what’s

important to you in all areas of your life” and the fact that a mission statement is commonly

known as the “why-we-do-what-we-do” of a business. I considered what my “mission” is in life

and how it related to my own values.

My Mission Statement:

To encourage others through understanding, empathy, kindness, and personal empowerment.

To love others knowing that everybody walks a different path in this life.

To celebrate diversity and recognize strength in our differences.

To make others feel welcomed, valued, appreciated, celebrated and loved.

To be patient and kind.

To remain flexible and stay determined in the face of hardship.

To always develop personally, striving to become the best version of myself.

To stay true to myself and encourage others to do the same.

To live a life aligned with my values, purpose, and mission.

To find happiness and joy in everything I do.

Reference:
Harrington, B., & Hall, D. (2007). Career Management and Work-Life Integration: Using Self

Assessment to Navigate Contemporary Careers. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.