A question that increasing getting asked by many professionals that 'what is their values?'. I have seen or rather experienced the difficulty to define my own values and link it with what I do. Hence this article. People often find it ddifficult to define their personal or professional values, hence end up in a profession entirely different to their personal interest and struggling to get adjust.
I was always fascinated by the prospect of being able to do what I like the most, working with people. When I started my studies to become a qualified Social Worker, I had lot of opposition within my family, but I tried to convince them saying that this is what I like the most and wanted to do. My parents were not wealthy enough to allow me to do any course as a hobby, but wanted me to do something which will help me earn a living. My brother, who is a Catholic priest, also wanted me to do something with future in mind. When I spoke about social work, my family had a horrible memory of me, getting involved in student politics and in some way ruining my career. I went to Sree Sankara College in 1995 with highest mark in my class, but when I left in 1998, I had a degree in English language and Literature, but was last in the class,but was lucky enough to be among those who passed the course. But I made fame. I was College union Magazine Editor in 1996 and Chairman in 1997-98. So it took some work to convince my Orthodox family that professional Social Work is different than politics, though it is very hard now a days to differentiate. But when I finished my studies, I went to Mumbai for taking up my first job, with a Charity. My family wasn't impressed as they still felt that I was a fool to take up this course and told me on my face that I should have done an 'MBA'... Great...with a humanistic view and longing for the poor and needy, to become a Business Administrator... I
Years gone by.. I don't think my family has any concerns about me now. I now well settled in the UK, have a decent job to boast about and a very happy family. What if something went wrong? Better not to think about that now.
Every profession has a value base and would work within these parameters, whether it is ssocial work, nursing, medical profession etc. But it becomes effective when personal values are added to this parameters. Think about a nurse who has a compassionate heart, working with the most vulnerable and needy person? Have you not experienced these in your life..So it is time to look back to your profession to see what is the value of it and how you can add your personal values to it to make it more effective. I welcome your comments.
I was always fascinated by the prospect of being able to do what I like the most, working with people. When I started my studies to become a qualified Social Worker, I had lot of opposition within my family, but I tried to convince them saying that this is what I like the most and wanted to do. My parents were not wealthy enough to allow me to do any course as a hobby, but wanted me to do something which will help me earn a living. My brother, who is a Catholic priest, also wanted me to do something with future in mind. When I spoke about social work, my family had a horrible memory of me, getting involved in student politics and in some way ruining my career. I went to Sree Sankara College in 1995 with highest mark in my class, but when I left in 1998, I had a degree in English language and Literature, but was last in the class,but was lucky enough to be among those who passed the course. But I made fame. I was College union Magazine Editor in 1996 and Chairman in 1997-98. So it took some work to convince my Orthodox family that professional Social Work is different than politics, though it is very hard now a days to differentiate. But when I finished my studies, I went to Mumbai for taking up my first job, with a Charity. My family wasn't impressed as they still felt that I was a fool to take up this course and told me on my face that I should have done an 'MBA'... Great...with a humanistic view and longing for the poor and needy, to become a Business Administrator... I
Years gone by.. I don't think my family has any concerns about me now. I now well settled in the UK, have a decent job to boast about and a very happy family. What if something went wrong? Better not to think about that now.
Every profession has a value base and would work within these parameters, whether it is ssocial work, nursing, medical profession etc. But it becomes effective when personal values are added to this parameters. Think about a nurse who has a compassionate heart, working with the most vulnerable and needy person? Have you not experienced these in your life..So it is time to look back to your profession to see what is the value of it and how you can add your personal values to it to make it more effective. I welcome your comments.
