Professional choices and personal values: Similarities and differences between Schein’s career anchors and Schwartz basic values

Consistency between personal values and career choices is essential to achieve job satisfaction attain positive outcomes self-realization. Schwartz Bilsky (1987) propose ten basic values, measured through the Portrait Value Questionnaire, related universal needs of existence: self-direction, stimulation, hedonism, power, achievement, security, conformity, tradition, universalism, benevolence. These are organized in a circular shape, according their similarities dissimilarities following contraposition openness change conservation, self-enhancement self-transcendence. Focusing on professional goals aspirations, Schein’s Career Orientation Inventory (1990) identifies eight anchors that drive employees’ paths orientations: general managerial competence, technical/functional autonomy/independence, security/stability, entrepreneurial creativity, dedication cause, pure challenge, life-style. Schein affirms anchor “that one element person self-concept, which he or she will not give up even face difficult choices” (1990). In this paper, we aim at understanding mutual relationship paradigms proposed by Schein, order enlighten how motivations inform preferences choices. We administered Questionnaire scales sample 253 respondents who work different fields positions, survey questionnaire. Results show high level consistency Schwartz’s theoretical frames. Those more oriented dimension tend favour careers autonomy while conservative motivation leads safe stable careers; analogously, support challenging self-transcendence pushes for cause work-life balance.